Dear Editor: I recently attended the Media Arts Center opening at Snyder High School, Jersey City. This television event was masterfully produced by teacher Tom Horan, who received little or no credit for his role. Mr. Horan began working at Snyder High School five years ago with nothing more than one camera, a small editing system and nothing else. On this simple equipment he helped the students produce a beautiful award winning tribute to Tahid Ramsey, (the young Snyder High School football player who died from head injuries) called “The Warrior has Gone Home.” The Snyder Media Center that I saw on March 29, 2000 was five years away and Mr. Horan had worked with little or no equipment with these students into developing television professionals. Mr. Horan is a caring and super talented teacher; he has produced over 250 commercials and currently produces Mayor Bret Schundler’s cable programming and The Kennedy Dancers production of “Dance Vista” seen on over 163 cable systems.. At the media opening, I saw every bureaucrat from the Board of Education, including Snyder Media Center coordinator Larry Coco (who is a consultant, not a teacher) take credit for everything from the inception to its now $4.5 million equipment. Mr. Coco, Dr. DePatri, Mr. Butterfield and all the Board of Education can take credit for planning the center, raising the money and writing the grants to keep the center running but Mr. Coco (who inferred in his speech that he would have to teach the students something about the lighting in the studio) is not a teacher and has little or no contact with the students. The program contained little or no applause for Mr Horan who sat discreetly in the control room with 18 students who were operating cameras; several consoles and switching editing equipment with the help of two engineers and none of these people were given recognition for their tireless, painstaking rehearsal time and teaching. I have known Mr. Horan for 15 years and he is not one to blow his own horn or brag about his own accomplishments, however, when a school has such an accomplished teacher as Mr. Horan, they should shout to the heavens and thank God he is teaching and has not decided to give his talent solely to the private sector where it would be better appreciated and rewarded. I worked for a number of years as a teacher and consultant and know how frequently administrators pat themselves on the back and forget to show respect and gratitude to the teacher that really runs the schools. I can recall how many after school and summer hours Mr. Horan put into assisting in the development and learning of the new computers, programs and working with the students. The Jersey Journal, The Star Ledger and Hudson Reporter all covered this event and every article focused and quoted Larry Coco the consultant (not the teacher).Well congratulations Tom Horan, whether or not your administrators told you, Snyder High School Media Arts Center could not have done a live television show without your televison expertise, kind nature, modesty and sincere desire to help the gifted, enthusiastic students of Snyder’s Media Magnet. Shakti Vercellino