The Mineola Athletics Varsity Sports Dinner held last Wedneday, June 1 recognized all of Mineola's athletes who have put in hours of hard work and displayed a desire to be the best they can be. But these young men and women are much more than just athletes, they are fine students, many of which are becoming leaders in their communities.

It is the goal of the Mineola School District to educate students to, according to the mission statement, "pursue excellence and exhibit strength of character." One Mineola High School senior who has been a shining example of that goal is Julio Gauto.

Earlier this year, the Mustangs varsity wrestling team came up big on Feb. 12 by winning its qualifying tournament and grabbing the conference championship. Gauto, was voted the tournament's most-outstanding wrestler. Gauto defeated tournament favorite Joe Rios 14-6 to become the 171-pound champion.

Gauto is an All-County wrestler and a member of the boys lacrosse team and football team. But, there is so much more to Gauto's success than his abilities on the mat and field. Gauto also believes in giving back to his community.

In his time at Mineola High School, Gauto also participated in the marching band, SADD and the Student Organization (S.O.), served as head facilitator for Increase the Peace and even worked as a cook in the Ronald McDonald Home among other activities.

As if that wasn't enough, Gauto also found time to be a member of the Mineola Junior Fire Department and then a firefighter for the tradition-rich Mineola Fire Department.

It's no wonder that Gauto was featured in the 38th annual edition of Who's Who Among American High School Students for 2003-2004, a high honor considering only 5 percent of the nation's high school students received the distinction by the publication.

Last December, Gauto was selected to participate in the National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) in Washington, D.C. The conference was a unique leadership program for high school students who have demonstrated leadership potential and scholastic merit.

Gauto is a shining example of the quality individuals in the Mineola community. He has become a role model for other students and young men in his community and has made Mineola proud.

Congratulations, Julio Gauto.