Bob Nouryan, Jane Furey, Pat Cunningham, Jeff Fehmel and Pat DiMattia At its regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, October 13, the CPOA Officers and Board of Directors were honored to have two Garden City High School students in attendance as part of a pilot program entitled the Jr. Ambassador Program. Jane Furey, a senior and a resident of the Central Section and Jeff Fehmel, a junior and a resident of the Estates Section were the two individuals selected through an application process conducted by the Social Studies Department at the High School.

The goal of the program is to encourage community awareness and direct involvement in Garden City’s unique form of government as a participant in the POA process. Jane and Jeff will be attending CPOA monthly meetings as well as periodic Village meetings including the Board of Trustees and various other Village Boards and Commission meetings. In addition, they have been asked to share their experiences with fellow students by contributing articles to the school newspaper, The Echo, and other media including local newspapers and websites. Evelyn Fasano, CPOA Director, will serve as mentor to both students.

This program was spearheaded by Bob Nouryan, CPOA Director and past president with assistance from Pat Cunningham, CPOA Secretary and Evelyn Fasano. The CPOA could not have implemented this program without the complete support of the Garden City School District including Superintendent Feirsen and President Colleen Foley, Trustee Angela Heineman and the entire School Board. On behalf of the CPOA Board, the CPOA would like to acknowledge and express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to Jeannette Balantic, Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for the District and Nanine Cuttitta, Principal, Garden City High School as well as the faculty and staff of the Social Studies Department and the Guidance Department at the High School.

The CPOA is very excited about this pilot program and encourages all central residents to come to meetings and “get involved” on the same level as these young adults. Come and meet Jane and Jeff and be a part of the process!! If you have any questions, call Pat DiMattia, CPOA President at 516-294-9316. The next meeting is Tuesday, November 10 - 8 p.m. at the Senior Center on Golf Club Lane.