Roosevelt, NY - Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi was the keynote speaker today at the closing ceremony of the Project GRAD (Graduation Really Achieves Dreams) Roosevelt Summer Institute on Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at Nassau Community College (NCC) in Garden City.

The Summer Institute at NCC, a four-week academic enrichment program for rising Roosevelt High School tenth graders, is part of Project GRAD Roosevelt's Scholarship Program for qualified students working toward a potential $6,000 college scholarship.

The County Executive congratulated the students on their achievement and wished them continued success as they pursue their future endeavors. He also spoke of the importance of career planning and encouraged every student to continue to work hard through life's obstacles.

"Completing the Project GRAD Roosevelt Summer Institute is a wonderful and proud achievement for today's students," County Executive Suozzi said. "We should wish our children the best as they work to achieve their academic goals and encourage them to reach for the stars. Our children are our greatest resource and we must do everything we can for them."

This is the second year that NCC has hosted the Project GRAD Roosevelt Summer Institute for scholarship-track students who have completed ninth grade. This year, for the first time, rising tenth graders are attending the Summer Institute at Farmingdale State University, which will hold its closing ceremony on August 4. Overall, 120 Roosevelt High School students enrolled in the 2004 Summer Institute compared to 47 in 2003.

"These students' accomplishments demonstrate that young people of all backgrounds can prepare for a challenging college experience and a rewarding career," said Dr. Daryl Ogden, Executive Director of Project GRAD Roosevelt. "On behalf of the students, we thank County Executive Suozzi for his enthusiastic support, and extend our gratitude to Nassau Community College and Farmingdale State, as well as our business sponsors."

In addition to the two colleges, the KeySpan Energy Foundation, NFL Charities and Northrop-Grumman are sponsors this year.

Project GRAD Roosevelt is an independent, nonprofit K-12 education-reform organization working with the Roosevelt Union Free School District to implement long-term, cost-effective programs in all six district schools. Now in its second year, the organization is part of the Project GRAD USA network, which has 12 sites across the country.