Father's Day was a most memorable occasion for Levittown's Class of 2001, The Millennium Class, as they braved the elements to reach the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at the beautiful C.W. Post (LI University) campus in Brookville. Who can forget the deluge of rain and torrents of water along virtually every access road to the C.W. Post campus? The Tilles Center, in spite of the weather, was filled to capacity with proud parents, siblings and numerous relatives during General Douglas MacArthur High School's 40th Anniversary commencement exercise.

As the father of 5 children and a former president, Levittown School Board, I've had the honor of participating at 23 district wide commencement exercises. This year's MacArthur High School commencement ceremony was truly one of the most dignified graduation events that I've attended! I wonder how many Levittown residents remember those raucous days, back in the 1960's & 70's, when Levittown held its graduation exercises, for all three high schools, on the athletic fields or sweltering gyms of each school? Fortunately, the Levittown S.D., thanks in part to our current Superintendent of Schools, was the first district to utilize this magnificent facility for its' June 1982 commencement exercises.

More impressive, however, were the large number of MacArthur graduates who distinguished themselves; their families; and the Levittown School District as recipients of numerous civic, fraternal, organizational and college scholarship awards.

I don't think there was any father who felt prouder, than I was, as I presented my youngest daughter, Kathleen, with her diploma. Kathleen, a scholar-athlete, is the recipient of four academic scholarship, valued at nearly $140,000, to such outstanding educational institutions as: Fordham University at Marymount (Tarrytown); Mount St. Vincent College; Manhattanville College and Saint Thomas Aquinas College. A Presidential Education Honoree, Kathleen was accepted at all 8 colleges to which she applied and will pursue her studies, in the field of elementary & special education, at Fordham University at Marymount (Tarrytown). A two-letter varsity athlete, she has been selected by the Levittown Soccer Club as a recipient of their Luigi Pellini Memorial Soccer Scholarship. In addition, County Executive Thomas Gulotta recently honored Kathleen with a Nassau County Youth Achievement Award.

I would be remiss if I failed to acknowledge MacArthur principal, Al Celentano, and his excellent staff of building administrators, teachers, guidance counselors and support personnel who constantly challenged Kathleen and her peers to work at their highest level(s) of capability.

My wife, Patricia, after 25 years of seeing our children off to Levittown's schools, each morning, deserves a great deal of special recognition. Her motherly wisdom, prayers and quiet strength continues to be a great source of motivation for Kathleen and her older siblings. Thank you.