Borough President Vito Fossella Cuts Ribbon On Multi-Purpose Field At Morris Intermediate School

Borough President Vito Fossella and Council Member Kamillah Hanks were joined by students and staff to cut the ribbon on a multi-purpose field at the William A. Morris (I.S. 61) Intermediate School this morning.

Borough President Fossella contributed $700,000 and Council Member Hanks contributed $400,000 for the project. The students made a presentation to Borough President Fossella at the spring meeting of the Borough Student Advisory Councils asking for assistance in repairing the field.

“Just a few months ago, we were standing here in a place where the field was worn and dilapidated,” said Borough President Fossella during a press conference at the school. “Now, what we have here is a great, new, first-of-its-kind on Staten Island conversion: Football field, soccer field, basketball courts, a track -- and it’s for you.”

Council Member Hanks and her four children graduated from I.S. 61.

“The last time I was here I was playing as a student, all my children played in this field and I am so pleased to be joined here by my partner in government, Borough President Vito Fossella,” said Council Member Hanks. “This field is a reflection of our shared commitment to the enduring legacy of I.S. 61 so it remains a place where students can thrive.”

William A. Morris was the founder and first president of Staten Island’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Principal Kuzaliwa Campbell asked his students to repeat after him: “Our motivation, our ownership, our resiliency, our resolute, our insight, and our service.”

“We will make sure we represent those values that William A. Morris laid out for us,” said Principal Campbell. “The legacy of the Morris family continues here and lives here in us.”