Glen Cove High School Essayist Honored

Congratulations were extended  to Glen Cove High School senior Gabriel Vertiz, who won the second-place award in the Nassau County Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Contest. 

As a result of his work, Vertiz was invited to attend the 29th Annual Nassau County Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Luncheon in January,  and was presented with a certificate of recognition signed by Nassau County Legislature minority leader Kevin Abrahams. Vertiz will also be awarded a monetary gift to be used toward college once he commits to a school. To date he has been accepted to Mercy College, East Stroudsburg, Sacred Heart and Iona.

Vertiz scribed his tribute to Dr. King in his college essay writing class, taught by Terry McHale. Part of his coursework included applying to five scholarships. In the essay, he shared how Dr. King’s actions have impacted him personally, as an African American, and in particular, as an athlete, by helping to bring an end to segregation in the Olympics and professional sports. 

Vertiz is an avid soccer player and currently plays on the New York HOTA team in the premiere development league, as well as in a national premiere league. He also has aspirations to continue playing in college.