January 19, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES I & III • Page 15 Midland Park Matters A Publication of the Midland Park Chamber of Commerce MPHS Boosters complete Phase II of gym improvements efforts of everyone who contributed to the project in some way. Each of them should be proud of the collective results that they have achieved. “We believe that our students will also feel this way and that the new look will go a long way toward instilling school spirit and the theme of Panther Pride in our athletic program.” Costello extended his thanks to his fellow members of the Gym Improvement Project Team, which included Boosters John Mulligan, Mike Acito, Rich Formicola, John LiPuma, Mauro Abballe, and Tony Iorio; school members Nick Capuano and Robert Blanchard; volunteers Joe Macchiaroli, Lisa Borzotta, Linda Rabeiro and Gary, Annie and Chris Lewis, The Cartainos, Andrew Tucci, Tim Thomas, and Tom Hagerty. He also thanked the following donors: the Saliba family, “Legacy” Boosters, Joseph Collins Jr., the House family, Dan Weaver Above: The completed east wall of the gym. Right: Midland Park High School point guard Nick Acito hanging the Midland Park banner with dad, Mike Acito. The Midland Park High School gym now has a refreshed appearance thanks to the MPHS Athletic Booster Association. “I am extremely pleased with the show of support from everyone involved. The results achieved far exceeded my expectations,” said MPHS Boosters President Marty Costello. The project, which was the second phase of a major update, was completed during the week of Dec. 26. The all-volunteer work force finished one day ahead of schedule, despite the blizzard. “Completing the project one day ahead of schedule enabled us to host an MPHS Boys Varsity Basketball game vs. Ridgefield as part of the Ridgefield Holiday Tournament that was previously postponed due to the storm,” Costello noted. He said completion of Phase II was an example of how the talent and resources across the school community could provide something better for the student-athletes. The project also supports the strategic plan of the schools and the vision and mission of the Boosters, Costello said. The volunteers replaced the championship banners with a new, contemporary, flexible banner system that recognizes the achievements of the MPHS teams and student-athletes. “In addition to team championships, we now have a banner for 1,000-point scorers and our Edward Salvi Sportsmanship Award,” Costello explained. “The new banners will provide a legacy of achievements that will result in increased pride throughout the school and the community.” The volunteers also repainted the entire gym. The fresh coat of bright white paint enhances the display of new banners and brightens up the gymnasium, Costello said. “We were actually able to expand the scope of the project and remain within the $8,909 budget that we granted to the schools,” the Boosters president added. “With the schools graciously providing the paint, it allowed us to also include: new banners to represent each of the teams in our new NJIC Patriot Conference and the new track record boards that depict the school records for our track student-athletes.” He added, “We now believe that our gymnasium has become one of the best in our new athletic conference, the NJIC Patriot Division. (The gym is one) that our student-athletes can be proud of and will leave our new NJIC opponents with a favorable impression of both our athletic program and our Midland Park schools. “The Boosters truly appreciate the (Panther logo), Pattman Plumbing (lift), Mike Acito (lift), Mauro Abballe (materials), the Mulligan family (flag), Wade Odell Wade (boxes); and suppliers Neff Co. of Greenville, Ohio (local representative Bob Cabrera) for making the new banners, Vital Signs of Ho-Ho-Kus and David Treadwell for making the new track record boards. Costello indicated that Superintendant of Schools Dr. Marie Cirasella, MPHS Principal Patricia Terraciano, and Athletic Director Nick Capuano have expressed their gratitude to the Boosters. “We thank everyone for being a part of our success,” Costello concluded. The first phase of the gym improvement project was completed in 2007. 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