In a heartfelt and impassioned plea at Lehman High School campus, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson took the stand before Attorney General Letitia A. James and hundreds of community members to protest the impending closure of Preston High School, a beloved Catholic institution with a legacy stretching back to 1947.

“Preston has been a cherished institution in our Throggs Neck community and a beacon of hope and opportunity for young women since its opening in 1947,” Gibson stated. “Generations of young women have been shaped by their Preston education, a place of creativity, development, dreams, growth, learning, and endless possibilities.”

Her remarks drew a standing ovation from the emotional crowd of Preston educators, alumni, families, faculty, and most notably, current students who fear their academic futures are in jeopardy. “There is NO place like Preston. We are unique and in a class by ourselves which is why tonight we are filled with high emotions and profound sadness. Our hearts are heavy,” she declared.

Gibson didn’t stand alone in her call for action. She acknowledged the collective heartbreak and unity from elected officials including Senator Nathalia Fernandez, Assemblyman Michael Benedetto, Council Member Kristy Marmarato, and City Council Majority Leader Amanda Farias—herself a Preston alum.

“How can we shatter the dreams of hundreds of our scholars at Preston who carry the tradition of Values, Vision, and a Voice in our society?” Gibson questioned passionately.

She called on Attorney General James to not only listen, but to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the closure. “I urge you and your office to fully examine the closure of Preston and the sale of the property to ensure that all proper procedures and guidelines were followed.”

Throughout her testimony, Gibson emphasized Preston’s irreplaceable role in the community. “The Preston community, the Preston family, has been a community anchor fostering discipline, strong values, and a diverse space of belonging. When our families have fewer options for their children’s education, our students and our communities suffer. We should not allow this to happen to our future leaders.”

With unwavering resolve, Gibson pushed for a solution. “It is our hope that an agreement can be reached to keep Preston open. There are options on the table, and I urge all parties to come together to find a resolution that prevents the closure of this historic institution. We can do this if we believe in our power.”

The evening closed with a renewed sense of unity and commitment. “Preston is an important Bronx institution,” she concluded, “and I will continue to stand with our educators, parents, and scholars in advocating for Preston to remain open and continue its tradition of an important Catholic education.”