For the first time ever, the Mineola Junior Fire Department took First Place for their performance in a parade.

Fourteen Mineola Juniors competed against 28 other junior departments on July 10 in Woodmere. A panel of Nassau County parade officials judged them the best using criteria such as uniformity and synchronicity.

The Mineola Junior's success was a fact that excited members like Captain Joel Orr, 16, who upon hearing the news jumped into the air, but it did not surprise him.

"Actually I wasn't" explained Orr, "because I glanced back a few times ... They were in the same exact position the entire time. Everything was picture perfect from there."

Orr, whose grandfather was a past parade official, drilled his fellow juniors so they marched in step, meeting all regulations and looked as professional as they could.

Junior, Sergio Ribeiro, 15, credited Orr, with keeping him in step amid the pressure of competition to successful results. Said Ribeiro, "It feels good. It shows everybody we deserve it, we worked hard on it."

Juniors Co-Advisor Gary Mazur said all training up until this point has been informal, but after the success and the growth of the Juniors program, more training is in store.

The Juniors offer youngsters an opportunity to learn the basics of fire safety and firefighting with hands-on training and experience.

The members do volunteer work for the community such as shoveling snow for senior citizens and decorating for events like the Mayor's Halloween Party and the Village Christmas Tree Lighting. The Juniors host fund-raising events like car washes and a pasta dinner.

Mazur explained that the parade was just an example of the quality of the members of the Juniors. Said Mazur, "It just shows the kids are dedicated."

Participating in the Woodmere parade were Advisors Mazur, Bill Gresalfi and Rob Connolly; and Juniors Orr, Ribeiro, Jeff Belickis, Tomas Chorzepa, Jason Cunha, Peter Ferreira, Lori Gayson, Crissy Lee, Andrew Marotta, Anthony Nocito, Antonia O'Brien, Luis Ribeiro and Thomas Rich.