William E. DeLuca Unveils Tree of Honor

William E. DeLuca Elementary School celebrated its new Tree of Honor with a dedication ceremony on June 16. Joined by board of education members, administrators, staff, retirees and their families, the school officially unveiled the tree in its lobby. 
    The tree, which has been in the works for almost eight years, was spearheaded by kindergarten teacher Jodi Rebholz. Each leaf on the tree features a name of a retiree from William E. DeLuca who has left a lasting impact on the school. 
    William E. DeLuca Elementary School Principal Vincent Fantauzzi welcomed guests to the unveiling. “Today we share in honoring the life’s work and passions of all those who have served in North Babylon community and this school,” he said. “We are not only celebrating their legacy but also holding it up as a model for the next generation. Today’s classrooms are filled with the echoes of your influence, the values you lead – kindness, professionalism, perseverance, and certainly care. Thank you for all your passion, your service, and your unwavering commitment to our students. We hope that today’s celebration gives you all the glimpse into the depth of our gratitude and appreciation.”
 Ms. Rebholz thanked all those who contributed to the efforts, including fundraising and donations to make the tree come to life. “Thanks to all of you, all of the retirees past, current, and future, and their families for making all of this happen,” she said. 
This year’s retirees were unveiled and celebrated. The school’s two service dogs – Gordo and Cooper – were memorialized with photo collages. Congratulations to this year’s retirees, Helayna Campo, Vincent LaFerrera, Jeanne Saeli and Kathleen Walter.