2012 PTA Founders Day Fills NHS Gym (VIDEO)

The PTA Council hosted another successful PTA Founders Day event with more than 100 in attendance. For 115 years, PTAs nationwide have been honoring the memory and keeping alive the spirit that motivated its founders in 1897, said PTA Council President Christine Camillieri.

“This has been a wonderful evening. I greatly appreciate all the parent and student volunteers who helped make this night possible and thank everyone who donated to the celebration," she said. “I also want to thank the senior citizens for coming out tonight and the support of the school staff and administration. Also, the student performances were amazing.”

“Without (the PTAs), we wouldn’t have the programs that we do. They just give so freely of their time and expertise,” said Superintendent Mark McNeill. “(Senior citizens) hold the highest position in the Nanuet school community. It really is wonderful that (they) came here tonight because their presence gives the PTA the special community recognition that it deserves.” He added a note on behalf of Nanuet School Board President Anne Byrne congratulating the PTA.

For entertainment, there was a sing-a-long with Michael Minard, musical interlude by the high school jazz band led by Walter Miller and Dr. Jack Gremli and the high school cast presented snippets from their upcoming play “Anything Goes.”

Senior citizens are invited to a free dress rehearsal performance with an intermission and refreshments at 7 p.m. on March 7. The official nights of the play are at 8 p.m. March 9 and 10.

“I thought tonight was excellent,” said Ed Berrigan of the West Nyack I Senior Club, who is also a jazz fan. “The Jazz Band was really top notch. I was impressed with the level of expertise.”

“I think it was a lovely evening out for us,” said Eleanor Schmidt of New City II Senior Club, who was attending the annual event for the first time. “The food was great. The entertainment was great. We appreciate everything they do.”

“We’ve invited a family that has several generations in Nanuet and each year we reflect on the contributions of the past, present and future,” said Camillieri. “The Mucciolo family has been in the Nanuet schools for over three generations and we’re very lucky to have them today.”

 The Mucciolo family performed the Candle Lighting Ceremony with Peter and Margaret lighting the “Past” candle, Kathy the “Present” candle and Emily Sommer the “Future” candle.

“The highlights of the commemoration of Founder’s Day includes awarding Honorary PTA Life Memberships to deserving participants chosen by each of our district's units,” said Camillieri. Here are this year’s Life Membership Awards:

• Michelle Mazzaro—previous elementary PTA president—presented by Monica Nicolucci, middle school PTA president.
• Jennifer Morgan—Highview Elementary PTA vice president—presented by Annmarie Bubb, elementary PTA president
• Flo DiModugno presented by Nuria Valdivia, both are PTSA co-presidents