I and many in the New Hyde Park community were delighted to hear of Mike DeMartino's appointment as principal of New Hyde Park Memorial High School. Mike has dedicated himself to the betterment of our high school for over three-and-a-half decades. At the same time, Mike has focused his efforts on the betterment of the New Hyde Park community in which he lives.

Mike was a cheerful and resourceful social studies teacher and guidance counselor when I attended NHP Memorial in the 1970s. I appreciated his wisdom and good counsel. In recent years I've had the pleasure of working with him on the Executive Board of the Parks Civic Association. Mike is a voice of reason and common sense in the quest to achieve positive results for New Hyde Park. He is an important part of the success of our high school that Dr. Goldstein regularly called "my crown jewel" of the district.

I know I speak for countless numbers of people in the New Hyde Park community and high school education community in expressing our heartfelt congratulations. This is good news for all concerned. Congratulations, Colonel. Carry on.

Edward W. Powers

New Hyde Park