Downtown Glen Cove will once again be transformed into a public celebration of its graduating seniors this spring, as personalized lamppost banners honoring members of the high school’s class of 2026 will be installed throughout the business district.
The banner project, which began four years ago, was inspired by the banners of veterans displayed around the city, including those in Morgan Park. Organizers saw an opportunity to similarly recognize students preparing to take their next steps after graduation.
Families can purchase a 2-foot-by-4-foot banner featuring a senior yearbook photo for $80. Orders must be placed by March 20. The banners will be hung in late April and remain on display through July, when they will be replaced by banners for the Downtown Sounds summer concert series. Afterward, families can pick them up at City Hall. Yearbook photos are sent directly from the photography company to the banner manufacturer.
The program, one of Glen Cove’s beautification efforts, is a collaboration between the city’s Department of Public Works and the Glen Cove Education Foundation. It grew out of conversations among Councilwoman Danielle Fugazy Scagliola, Ralph Comitino, of the DPW, and Elizabeth Mestres, who is involved in the beautification campaign.
Fugazy Scagliola emphasized that the initiative is not intended to generate revenue. “We don’t make any money off of it,” she said. “The money that we bring in goes to the banners. It’s not like a fundraiser. It’s to highlight the great kids in our community.”
She cited the veteran banners as a meaningful model. “I love that we highlight our vets in Morgan Park, like a huge, important part of our community and our history,” she said. “I love that we’re highlighting our graduating seniors, who are a part of our future. It makes me so happy to do this program and be a part of it.”
Participation has grown steadily. More than 100 banners were purchased last year. They stretch through the heart of downtown, beginning near Starbucks and extending south toward the police station, then along Glen Street to the senior center. When that corridor fills up, additional banners are installed along Brewster Street.
Comitino, who co-founded the program — and purchased a banner for his son Ryan in 2023 — oversees the installation each year. It took close to three days to hand the banners around the city last spring he said. And their placement is intentional.
“We’re trying to put people together,” Comitino said. “I like to put the people there that are sports stars, the valedictorians, right in the middle of town. Looks pretty good. But last year we ran out of space. So I had to put them out on Brewster Street.”
For families, the banners are both public recognition and a personal milestone. Latisha Reevs bought one for her 17-year-old son, Mark, who plans to major in sports management or phys. ed. in college next year.
“It’s like a celebration of him graduating, and all of the hard work he’s put into school,” Reevs said. “It’s something I’ve always enjoyed looking at when riding through downtown. I always love looking at all of the graduates, and it’s just something really nice. It’s a big achievement. I always said when my son graduates, I’ll be sure to purchase one for him.”
Mark recently became the first boys’ basketball player at Glen Cove High School in 27 years to score 1,000 career points, reaching the milestone on Feb. 11, in a game against Garden City. The last player to do so was Todd Johnson, in 1999. A four-year varsity player and the current team captain, Reevs is also involved in Athletes Helping Athletes, a school-based initiative for which he visits other schools to discuss the importance being a student-athlete.
With orders open through March 20, organizers say they hope to include as many seniors as possible. “The more kids that want to be up, the more we want to highlight them,” Fugazy Scagliola said.
Families with questions can email the Glen Cove Education Foundation at gcef@outlook.com, or call (516) 676-4402.
