Glen Cove High School varsity football standout Mike Burrell has signed a letter of intent to play football at Bryant University in Rhode Island. Mike will don the Black ad Gold for the Division 1 Bryant Bulldogs next season, playing at the highest level of college athletics.

A three-year starter at wide receiver for the GCHS varsity Big Red, Mike led the team to back-to-back Big Four Championships in his junior and senior years, serving as captain this past season. On offense, he caught 25 passes for 588 yards and 10 touchdowns and also recorded a 95-yard kick return for a score on special teams. On defense he intercepted four passes and recovered a fumble.

Mike earned All-County honors as a senior, was named to the All-Academic Conference team and was selected to play in the Senior Bowl/Nassau Exceptional Senior Game. He was ranked in the top 250 at the New York State Elite Combine.

Also a talented tennis player, Mike competed for four years on the GCHS varsity squad and helped the team to a conference championship in 2012, earning All-Conference honors in each of his first three years. He posted a 16-0 record in first doubles matches as a freshman and was named the All-County Championship Tournament MVP as a junior. Mike is also a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar. Congratulations and good luck Mike, you make Glen Cove proud!

Mike (pictured at center) is congratulated here by GCHS Assistant Principal Allen Hudson, varsity football head coach Pete Kopecky, Director of Health, Physical Education and Athletics Denise Kiernan, and varsity football assistant coach Tony Gallo.

The newly founded Glen Cove High School International Club recently hosted its first annual International Food Festival in the school gallery.  Current club members, prospective members and all other GCHS students were invited to sample international fare from around the globe, both prepared by club members and provided by local restaurants. In addition, students took part in traditional cultural dances with music provided by student deejays.  

“The students interacted with each other while being exposed to cultures from around the world,” said adviser and Italian teacher Michelle Mattia, whose club currently boasts about 25 members, even though it just launched in January. “A great time was had by all.”

Special thanks to all of the students and parents who contributed dishes, as well as local eateries Andros Grill, Forest Pizza, St. Rocco’s Bakery and Wild Fig.

 Ms. Mattia invites any GCHS student interested in being a part of the club to contact her in school. The GCHS International Club meets Tuesday afternoons in Room 217.

More than 50 students and faculty members volunteered their time to raise money for Glen Cove High School junior Luis Torres, who was involved in a terrible car accident two months ago. The GCHS Key Club sponsored a student vs. faculty basketball game on the gym floor of GCHS on Friday, February 28. Proceeds from the gate will go to the Torres family. Close to 30 students and 15 faculty members laced up the sneakers and hit the hardwood for this spirited event. Several other students volunteered their time as referees, announcers and scorekeepers. The GCHS Heroes Club also donated funds to the Torres family raised through a charity bake sale.

As a culmination to their Black History Month studies, students at Glen Cove High School welcomed singer/songwriter Vinny St. Marten. He shared his unique story of being raised in the Orchard section of Glen Cove during the 1950's at the height of segregation.

Vinny lost his eyesight to glaucoma at the age of seven. He spoke about growing up at a time when prejudice and racism were an acceptable part of everyday life. Even though Vinny couldn't see, it didn't stop him from hating. When he attended Glen Cove High School, a classmate named Roy was assigned to help him get around during the school day. When Vinny found out that Roy was black, he was shocked. Vinny said, "It was too late to hate him. He was my friend." Vinny and his musical partner, Elysa Sunshine, showed an original music video called "Think About It," which reenacts Vinny's experiences with Roy. The loss of his sight actually opened up Vinny's vision to the prejudice that plagued the community at the time.

Vinny also told the students about befriending a young, foster child, who lived in the Orchard. His name was Walter. He was born with a horribly disfigured face and endured unrelenting bullying. Vinny's blindness allowed him to get to know, "one of God's most beautiful creations." Walter, in turn, helped Vinny experience the joys of childhood; playing baseball, building a hut, touching a frog.

“I wouldn't give up my blindness for anything in the world,” said Mr. St. Marten, who also goes by his given last name, Basile. He shared his story with all juniors at Glen Cove High School.

Students at Finley Middle School will also be treated to an assembly from Mr. Marten in the near future.