Gala Send-Off For Principal Marie Braccia

Trish Roberts, Regina Lehan, Corina Tesoriero, and Meredith Petry

Colleagues, parents, family, and friends gathered at Westbury Manor late last fall to honor Dr. Marie Braccia, who retired in June after 22 years of dedicated service to the Garden City School District as principal at Stewart School. The great impact Dr. Braccia had during her term as principal was evident in speeches given by Dr. Robert Feirsen, Superintendent of the Garden City Schools, Kenneth Monaghan, School Board President, and Dr. MaryLou McDermott, former colleague and now Superintendent of Northport Schools. Frank Braccia, Dr. Braccia's husband, and Gloria Meyer, retired teacher, also spoke. Angela Heineman, President of the PTA, presented Dr. Braccia with a formal portrait that is now displayed in the Stewart School Library. The photograph used for the portrait was gen-erously donated by photographer and Stewart School parent Ande Giarraputo. Stewart School teacher Dolores Volpe delivered the faculty tribute in which she captured the essence of Dr. Braccia as principal.

Dr. Braccia addressed those present with "a last lecture," citing primary documents that illustrated what mattered most in her life. Tracing her roots to Palo del Colle in Bari, Italy, she spoke of her parents, Frank and Filomena Cutrone, her first teachers. "My parents had the gift of making each of their five children feel special...encouraging each of us to strive for the highest level of educa-tion...providing us with solid character building models. They were generous without ever asking for paybacks."

Sheila Brennan, Dr. MaryLou McDermott, Maria Cafaro, Dr. Rita Melikian, Robin Butler

For Dr. Braccia, that education included the American Citizenship Award at eighth grade graduation, a high school Regents Diploma with Honors, B.A. and M.S. degrees from Hunter College and a professional diploma and Ed.D. from St. John's University.

With encouragement and support from her husband, Frank, her career in the field of education included elementary school teacher in the Lawrence School District, Assistant Principal in the Three Village School District, Principal in Uniondale, and, for the last 22 years, Principal of Stewart School.

The Guest of Honor, Dr. Marie Braccia

Mrs. Brenda McCarthy, as master of ceremony, orchestrated the presentations of slide shows, songs and a very special tribute. Dr. Braccia hired many staff members over the years. The staff members Dr. Braccia hired who were at the party honored Dr. Braccia by each presenting her with a rose. "I especially appreciated the people of quality who have worked with me through the years. This includes fellow administrators, parents, teachers, clericals, custodians, teacher aides, nurses and bus drivers. Over the twenty-two years, the nine assistant principals have been a tremendous help with the instructional program, student concerns, and the day-to-day routines connected with running the school. I respect the sincere efforts of the Central Office team and the Board of Education members, both present and past, to keep the focus on supporting good education."

In her tenure as principal, over 3,300 students passed through Stewart School. "My goal as principal has been to create a school environment that provides students with an academically challenging instructional program in a setting that promotes sound decision making in preparation for being good citizens."

Front row-Gerry DeFina, John Ford, Pat Ford Back row-Monique Ruane, Frank DeMonaco, Ellen Wohlberg

In her tribute, Dolores Volpe said, "Dr. Braccia was in each room, each and every day. Although she never said it, I think that this was her favorite part of her job - the kids! These daily visits were her sustenance, her nourishment. It was the youngsters, as she affectionately referred to all the students that made her day, who kept her going and made her life's work a labor of love!"

Thank you Dr. Braccia for twenty-two years of dedicated service to the Garden City community. We wish you a happy, healthy and fulfilling retire-ment!

School Board President Ken Monaghan, Victor Lee, and Superintendent Dr. Robert Feirsen Barrie Dratch, Chris Becconsall, and Jeanette Gilhooly Joanne Youngkin and Stratford Principal Diane Hopkins Dr. Braccia with formal portrait Betty Seibold, Kathy Cocoman, and Stewart School Principal, Linda Norton Phyllis Calvano Tina Halvatsis, and Marcia Kelly The Braccia Family Carol Lansdale, Jane Gilman, Dolores Volpe, Barbara Simone and Anne Carter School Board President Kenneth Monaghan and Dr. Braccia Dr. Marie Braccia Master of Ceremonies Brenda McCarthy with Dr. Braccia Judith Conforti, Matt Gaven, Nina Becker, and Bernice Acevedo PTA President Angela Heineman presents the formal portrait of Dr. Braccia