Robert Parro and his wife, Karen, both graduated from Division Avenue High School. This year, a $1500 scholarship was given in Parro's name to a Division Ave. senior. This appears to be an ordinary occurrence until one finds out that Parro was a firefighter who lost his life on Sept. 11.

Parro had been a firefighter since 1993. He loved his job, his sister-in-law Barbara Wingerter says, which placed him in midtown Manhattan, Engine 8, Ladder 2, Battalion 8, on the day of the attacks. She said he was excited to be called in to work when his job first began with the fire department in Manhattan. One could say fire fighting was in his blood, as both an uncle and cousin are fire fighters as well.

Beyond firefighting, Parro had a 4-year-old son, John, with his wife Karen. He had his own business with partner Vincent Timmons. He and Timmons also enjoyed doing home improvement on the side. Parro left behind three brothers, John, James, and Keith, two half sisters, his parents, and "tons of friends."

As a teacher, Wingerter felt a scholarship would be "a good way of paying tribute to him." The scholarship, which is set at a minimum of $1000, will be offered every year in Parro's memory. Students who wish to win the scholarship must be graduating from Division, have at least an 80 average, have some community or school service in Levittown, and cannot ever have been suspended. Finally, they must be related to someone who is a fire fighter in New York State. The person may be in their immediate or extended family. Firefighting is a form of community service, Wingerter said, and that is why it's important that a student has done some form of service themselves.

This year's scholarship was funded by Wingerter and her husband, and supplemented by Parro's partner, Timmons. In future years, interested students from Division Avenue High School are encouraged to talk to their guidance counselors, who know about the scholarship and will be able to direct students in how to apply. The scholarship represents education, community service, and planning for the future. Parro, Wingerter said, "was just a great guy."