New Hyde Park Memorial High School held its 50th anniversary celebration last Sunday and as the ceremony began the sun broke through and cleared up what had been three straight days of miserable dampness, fog and rain.

The ceremony began with a very solemn presentation of the colors by the United States Army Honor Guard with the Fire Department of New York Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band following them. It was very impressive as the hundreds in attendance then stood for attention as Student Council President of the Class of '06 Analise Siciliano recited the Pledge of Allegiance and The Star Spangled Banner was then sung by Kelly Marzocchi, Andrew Oster, Sharon Binder and Samantha Cajade.

However, the mood was lightened by the welcoming words of Memorial Principal Loretta Nugent who gave a nostalgia quiz regarding some of the changes made and some changes not made in the school.

She started out with who remembered the pool and who remembered the dump across the street. She said, "The good news is that the pool was moved across the street to a lovely recreational facility and the dump has been made into a wonderful park facility."

Nugent then went on to say, "Do you remember the old lockers? Well they are still there, but new ones are expected this summer. Do you remember pushing flowers into a pegboard? Well, we still do that. Do you remember how territorial the music department was about using the stage? Well, they still are. Do you remember the old track and how we couldn't have track meets on it? Well, it has been replaced by a state-of-the art track and field. Do you remember filling Thanksgiving food baskets? Well, we still do that but now we have food drives all year long as well as Toys for Tots toy drive and a Coats for Kids drive. Now, the day after the Junior Prom, we hold a wonderful luncheon for seniors and more than 500 attend and are served by the student service organizations. Do you remember the political debates we used to have in the cafeteria? Well, they have developed into UN Model clubs and the debates are orchestrated and are clear and concise and everyone learns from them. We now hold a huge Halloween party and our students host all of the children in the area so that they don't have to go door-to-door Halloween night."

She continued her talk with many other little notes of interest in the school and then explained that the celebration of the 50 years of New Hyde Park Memorial is really a celebration of "who we are."

She then turned the mike over to Patricia Rudd, vice president of the Sewanhaka Central High School board and a member of the class of '81. Rudd reminisced about her days at Memorial High and how she, at 18, couldn't wait to get out of school and how wonderful it is to be so involved as a trustee on the New Hyde Park/Garden City Park School Board as well as on the Sewanhaka Central School Board.

New Hyde Park Village Deputy Robert Lofaro presented a citation from the village. He also introduced village trustees Donald Barbieri who was from the class of '77 and Lawrence Montreuil of the class of '76. He then pointed out that the building in which the village hall is housed will be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and, reminded all that it was one of the first school buildings in New Hyde Park and the first school.

Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello, class of '78, was next and he presented a citation to the school on behalf of the county legislature. He added that the only reason he wasn't being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame was that he wasn't allowed off the bench! Naturally, he got a chuckle from the audience. He did say, however, that he was good at boosting the morale of all the players and he added, "That's where I started giving some of my best speeches." He then said, "When Memorial opened it was a time when all the residents who moved to New Hyde Park were coming from either Queens, Brooklyn, New York City or wherever and they were looking for a better life. And they found it here at Memorial. This celebration today is not so much about brick and mortar, but about all the many teachers who were so dedicated, who have taught here throughout the years. You have all done an excellent job in providing that better life and thank you."

New Hyde Park Councilwoman Lee Seeman, representing North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and all the members of the town board, said she was just thrilled to be able to present a proclamation in celebration of the 50 years the school has been operating. She said, l'm your new councilwoman and I'm so proud to be here because I just love New Hyde Park."

Another guest speaker was Carol Ammon, class of '69 an example of excellence that New Hyde Park Memorial generates. She went on to become a founder, CEO and president of one of the largest pharmaceutical companies, on Long Island, Endo. Prior to founding Endo in 1997, Ammon was the president of DuPont Merck's US Pharmaceuticals Division from 1996 through 1997, and from 1993 through 1995 she was the president of Endo Laboratories, L.L.C. She also serves as a director on the boards of Christiana Care of Delaware and the St. Louis College of Pharmacy in St. Louis, MO, and as a trustee for the University of Delaware Research Foundation.

The ceremony ended with retired foreign language teacher Maria Scalesse presenting to principal Nugent all the materials to be encased in the cornerstone that will be opened on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Memorial High.

Those in attendance then all filed back into the building where there was an open house, library exhibits, concerts and the Athletic Hall of Fame Induction held in the auditorium. The following were inducted into the New Hyde Park Memorial Athletic Hall of Fame:

Peter Weiss, Frank Bonelli, Gerhard Glaser, Victor Ivansheck, Rich Schaub, Anthony Bonelli, Pete Hecker, Richard Koplin, Joel Rudell, Doug Wassmer, Ralph Bonelli, Barbara Kasper, Alex Medina, Bill Pouelson, Paul Rothenbiller, Gordon Slater, Pete Wolynec, Pat Giugliano, John Okulski, Gail Chalmers, Judy Leupp, Frank Mamanno, Carol Thieme, Dan Sackman, George Schaub, Carl Giugliano, Tom Herbert, Dianne Keller, Larry Koch, Elizabeth Santucci, Fred Bruntrager, John Burke, Joan Fortunato, Cynthia Retarides, Carol Riccon, Fran Riccon, Bob Augello, Patricia Broome, Frank Morris, Bill Giugliano, Doug Heinrich, Ann Manners, Jerry Daly, Ann Mendoza, Mary Tlockowski, Denise Yablonski, Burt Daly, Bob Avelleni, Gary Christienson, Gary Lynch, Bob Morris, Linda Opyr, John Costellano, Robert Lockman, Tom Lowe, Bob Murphy, Henry Simpkins, Lenny Baione, Mickey Connor, Linda Deonas, Laura Gibbons, John Klupka, Jim Miller, Francis Bo Morris, John Wasilewicz, Mike Atsalis, Mark Burkey, Rich Dombrowski, Brenda Eversley, Ray Gallo, Ray Leidner, Ann Marie Marcoux, Daniel Martinetion, Joe Morris, Mary Pryor, John Sheridan, Steve Croce, Bill Fogarty, Larry Mattei, Brian Roerden, Barbara Heinssen, Paul Zambuto, Tony Alamia, Tom Burke, Herb Butzke, Joanne Terranova, Peter Koch, Bob McKenna, Bill Reggio, Tom Smiley, Mike Garrett, Donna Golio, Beth Ingwerson, John Krupa, Bonnie Mirecki, Rob Mocarski, Rosario Roveto, Carol Schumacher, Rich Wozniak, Kristen Bergbom, Helene Cuadra, Paul Orbon, Jeanne Curtis, Maria Galante, John Garrett, Michael Lecese, Debbie Mallock, Jen Terranova, Tony Cappellini, Steve Macri, Steve Medina, Jim Schumann, Damien Skinner, Sal DiMatteo, Bob Kacer, Tim Mulvilhill, John Powderly, Carolyn Shabunia, George Kasimatis, Lori McDonald, Georgette Kurppe, Eugene Rodgers, Michael Yanosik, Lisa Anschlowar, Mike Dieguez, Anthony Gangone, Dom Gatti, Lisa Magyar Basil, Lisa Richter, Lew Salgado, Chris Zander, Danielle Caro, Clare Henry, Tom Leonard, Jimmy Salgado, Kara Ahlfeld, Diane Boral, Janice McCullagh, Michelle Wiesczak, Chris Aigotti, Lora Aigotti, Cory Caballero, Chris David, Anthony Ferrara, Pat Griffin, Greg Rinaldi, Marge Zaffarese, Chris Gangone, Lauri Lohan, Heather Patton, Michelle Collertorti, Craig Denicola, Maria Fessel, Brian Haskowitz, Tara Heaney, James Kurre, Erika Rapp, Joe Rotondaro, Susan Vargas, Billy Madigan, Chris Nacewicz, Michelle Rutigliano, Ansu Varghese, Mary Frances Dolan, Andrea Ponchione, Maureen Zaikowski, Jackie Flynn, Sheena Oomen, Lauren Annoscia, Gina Antioco, Kathleen Mikowski, Sevim Obol, Kristen Trebing, Christine Turley, Cathy Caballero, Alyson Campbell, Kelly Dell, Tanya Karcic, Alica Burnett, Katie DiPietro, Kristen Habenicht, Patty Leahy, Lauren Spota, Kathleen Turley, Lindsay Martin, Diana Redman, Ellen Axelsen, Jessica Busardo, Matt Farina, Allison Fliegel, Bridget Holahan, Kerri Rudd, Frank Sonnenberg, Megan Stevens, Matt Tesoriero, Michelle Amato, Chris Jaronczyk, Lisa Karcic, Elizabeth Montreuil, Anne Verdino, Colleen Holahan, Dennis Kast, Matt Bayinski, Steven Vargas.