On Tuesday, June 3, Roslyn High School dedicated the Courtyard Memorial Garden in memory of four alumni who lost their lives on 9/11 as well as two members of the Parent-Faculty Association who died in recent years.

In a sunlit ceremony in the high school's courtyard on Tuesday afternoon, family members and friends of those being remembered were joined by many students, faculty members, school officials and community members for a ceremony marked by reminiscence, friendship, love and hope. Six permanent benches bearing the names of each of the individuals were unveiled, as well as a plaque commemorating the garden.

Brittay Katz, president of Roslyn High School's chapter of the National Honor Society, hosted the ceremony. The society worked for several years on the creation of the garden.

In his opening remarks, Superintendent of Schools Dr. John A. Richman observed that a school, as a community and a place of youth, is an especially appropriate setting to remember individuals who were lost to us in the prime of life. "There is perhaps no better way we can pay tribute to their lives than to create in their memory a place of reflection and inspiration at the very center of our school community."

Tributes were given by friends and relatives. Debbie Buslick spoke about Katie Goldberg, who was deeply involved in the school community and was a leader of both the RCP and PFA. Marty Litt talked about his wife, Stacey Litt, who grew up in Roslyn, returned to raise their children here and was very much involved in the schools. Steven Irgang paid tribute to his brother and best friend, Douglas Irgang, Class of 1987, an accomplished young man who was killed on 9/11. Jay Scharf talked about his friend, Allan Shwartzstein, Class of 1982, who also lost his life on 9/11 and in whose memory Mr. Scharf has established an annual scholarship for a Roslyn graduate. Mike Conklin, chief of Roslyn Rescue Company, paid tribute to Peter Langone, Class of 1978, and Thomas Langone, Class of 1980, both of whom were killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center on 9/11, one as a fire fighter and one as a police officer. Both had served as volunteer firemen in Roslyn.

Principal Kevin Scanlon said that the creation of the garden was the culmination of an effort that began several years ago. He said, "The Memorial Garden is a lasting and living tribute to all the people we honor today."

Contributors to the benches were the Class of 2006, Class of 2007, National Honor Society, Parent Faculty Association, the Friends of RCP, F.A.S.T., and the Organization of Class Councils. Barco Products also provided generous support.