Winning essayists share their pride in Port

The Island Now
Essay contest winner John Alexander (center with plaque) with his father Don Alexander (2nd from left) and grandfather John (2nd from right) and Pride in Port co-chairs Barbara Faticone (far left) and Fred Pollack (far right). Photo submitted by Pride in Port Committee

Every year, Pride in Port committee member Lucy Effron conducts a Pride in Port Poetry & Prose Contest.

This year’s topic was “Who is your favorite person or group in Port Washington?” Elizabeth Milgrim’s essay was selected in the grade school level category and John Alexander was chosen in the upper-grade level category. Both were chosen because their essays truly captured what “Pride in Port” is all about.

Following is Schreiber High School Senior John Alexander’s essay entitled “Pride in Port: A Legacy”: The continuation of a legacy has always been very important to me, particularly continuing the legacy that my family has created within the Port Washington Fire Department. Starting with my grandfather, John “Jay” Alexander, joining the Protection Engine Company, with my father’s cousins, John and Bobby Gennusa, following shortly after.

Next, my father, Donald Alexander, became a member and quickly rose to the office of Caption within the Company. My mother, a former firefighter from Glenwood, joined the Fire Medics Company after meeting my father in the Department. Each of those names, each of those family members, all passed down a legacy from one person to another and have placed it in my hands today.

I was always destined to follow the legacies of those before me. Despite being named after my grandfather John Alexander, I was also named after my father’s aforementioned cousin, John Gennusa. John passed away due to health complications while in the prime of his life, and my parents saw it fit to bestow his name upon me in his honor. John’s legacy, however, was one that was very hard for me to uphold. I wasn’t a firefighter, I didn’t have children, and I had no athletic ability. I didn’t play softball for the PWFD as he did for many years. My father joined the team after John’s death and took on his number, 77, for his jersey. One of my brothers took on 77 for his baseball number, the other taking it on for lacrosse. I never had the necessity to have a “number,” which discouraged me: how could I possibly make him proud if I couldn’t properly follow his legacy?

In April 2019, I was sworn in as the sixth member of my family to join the Port Washington Fire Department. My photo is on the wall with that of my grandfather, my father, and my cousins. Finally, I was following John’s legacy by joining the same company that he and all of my other family members had joined. The next day, we looked at the roster for Protection. Listed was every single active member in the Company. My name placed last on the list, as I was the newest member, came in at number 77.

My Pride in Port is passed down like a legacy. The pride that my family has in serving the community cannot be satisfied by a parade or a plaque, or even by uproarious applause. Our pride comes from the members of the Port Washington Fire Department, the members of our family that have served before us. We pass it down to each new member of the Department, the Pride in Port that exists when serving your community with your family behind you the whole time.

Following Manorhaven Elementary School fifth-grader Elizabeth Milgrim’s essay:

Essay contest winner Elizabeth Milgrim with Pride in Port co-chairs Barbara Faticone and Fred Pollack.
Photo submitted by the Pride in Port Committee

My favorite group on Port Washington is Curtains Up. Curtains Up is a musical theater after-school activity for Port’s elementary school students funded by HEARTS (Helping Enrich the Arts in Port Washington)> HEARTS is a foundation helping the arts in our community and has funded things like Weber and Schreiber shows and Curtains Up. Curtains Up is for 4th and 5th grade students in Port Washington’s public school district.

I like Curtains Up because I happen to love musical theater. There is a workshop in the Fall and a production in the Spring. I was not able to do the workshop because it conflicted with something else I was doing, but I did the show and ILOVED IT! This year, it was Disney’s “The Lion King”! I played a lioness/featured dancer/grub. Getting to learn songs and dances for a production was an amazing experience that most other communities don’t have. Working with the teachers (Ms. Friedman and Ms. Medford), volunteers and cast was great!

I feel so lucky that a group like HEARTS and Curtains Up exists because it brings together Port’s elementary students, middle and high school volunteers, teachers, parents, and wonderful families to put on an amazing show! Many other kids don’t have an experience like Curtains Up and I am so glad that I do!

Both winners were invited to march in the Pride in Port parade and received Certificates of Achievement along with a gift card from a local business. The Pride in Port committee wishes to congratulate Elizabeth and John and thank them for sharing what pride in Port means to them.

Submitted by the Pride in Port Committee

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