Ceremony CelebratesGerman-American Week

Garden City Middle School German language students gathered on the steps of the County Executive Building in Mineola with their teachers to mark German-American Week, October 1 to 7.

Students from the Garden City Middle School marked German-American Week with a Flag Raising Ceremony in Mineola on October 8. The annual event, sponsored by the German-American Cultural Council, was held in front at the Nassau County Executive Building in recognition of German-American culture, contributions and accomplishments.

The students were accompanied by their teacher Frau Judith Hecker and Peter Giacalone, the Garden City School District's Language Supervisor. New York State Supreme Court Justice Ute W. Lally presided over the event. Guest speakers included the Honorable Hans-Dieter Stell, deputy consul general of the Federal Republic of Germany; William Hetzler, Governor George Pataki's representative to Germany; Heinz Buck, president of the German-American Cultural Counsel, and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi. Middle School German Club officers Colleen Way, president; Katie Herbst, co-vice president; and Willi Allen, secretary, also spoke. All three students are in 8th grade.

Colleen Way, Garden City Middle School student and president of the German Club.

County Executive Suozzi presented Mr. Buck with a proclamation commemorating the October 6, 2006 contributions of German-Americans and declared October 6, 2006 as German-American Day in Nassau County. The program concluded with a tour of the county executive offices led by Deputy County Executive Helena Williams.

Willi Allen, Garden City Middle School student and secretary of the German Club.