On June 26, 2004, our son, Joseph Zoffranieri, graduated Mineola High School with a Regents Diploma. This is truly a dream come true because Joseph was in special education most of his life and under the past administration of the Mineola Public Schools was constantly trying to prove that "kids with special needs" have a brain. Well, because of the current administration and the administrators and staff at the high school, Joe was treated like everyone else and was able to achieve his goals.

We want to thank Ms. Patterson, Dr. Licopoli and the staff of central administration of the Mineola Public Schools for their continuing support and Dr. Mike Nagler, his assistant principals, Hillary Bernstein and Ed Escobar of Mineola High School and especially Assistant Larry Puccio who went above and beyond the call of duty to help Joe achieve his goals and his guidance counselor, Liz Cahill, who is the best guidance counselor in the world. We also want to thank former Mayor John Colbert, Mayor Jack Martins and Village Clerk Michael Arens of the Village of Mineola and the chiefs of the Mineola Fire Department, Ex-Chief Mike DeStefano, Chief Scott Strauss, Chief Jack Gayson and Chief Scott Holliday, for making it possible for us to be there for our son. It truly reaffirms our conviction, by the school and town working together, that Mineola has a heart and is the best community in the world. Also, our countless thanks to all the parents and kids who supported us these past 12 years and were there for all five of us when we needed a shoulder to lean on. That means you, Giovanna Fitzpatrick, Barbara Tuthill, Vivian Rose and Donna Strein.

We also don't want to leave out his teachers aide, Marlene Mills; guidance secretaries Sharon Shaeger, Jeanne Cribbins, our friend Nick Martone and his teachers, Ms. Nancy Regan, Ms. Laura Judge and Ms. Eileen Burke. Joe's achievements are all yours as well as his own. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Mary and Joe Zoffranieri