Nutley Journal - June 2022

NUTLEYJOURNAL

Nutley High bids farewell to the Class of 2022 at grad ceremony

By Destiny D. Rose Staff Writer

Nutley High School’s Class of 2022 graduated at Park Oval on the evening of June 23. At the ceremony, high school seniors received their diplomas, took photos and moved their graduation tassels from right to left while a standingroom–only crowd applauded.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance and “The Star-Spangled Banner” sung by the Nutley High School choir and chamber singers, the crowd was welcomed by Senior Class President Garv Goswami, who highlighted the importance of every individual in the class.

“Picture a mosaic, an image created by an artist who painstakingly places tile after tile onto his canvas; no two tiles are the same in position, color or both. But each and every tile is necessary in order to form the beautiful final product. All these people who I thanked, some seemingly for small reasons, all had a hand in creating the mosaic of me and forming the person who speaks to you today. In fact, every single person in this graduating class knowingly or not has left their imprint on me in some way. Big or small, good or bad — I would not be the same person today if all your tiles had not been placed on my canvas,” he said, encouraging his peers to thank every single person who contributed a tile to the mosaic of them.

“My friends, graduation isn’t the end; the current you isn’t the end. You have many more people to meet, many more accomplishments to achieve and many more tiles to place onto your canvas,” he continued. “But for today let’s sit back and admire the work we have done, reflect on the people we have become and celebrate the artists that have left their mark on us. All I ask is that you never forget them. On the bright path that awaits you in however many years, when you look at your own

mosaic remember us, the Class of 2022.”

Salutatorian Adam Benali shared his thoughts on failing and persevering through life’s struggles.

“To many of us the very notion of failing is dreadful and an embarrassing part of our stories that we cannot erase as much as we wish we could, yet failure makes us who we are and most impor-

tantly reminds us to persevere. When we fall, we must pick ourselves up and go towards the end,” Benali said. “My wise soccer coach told us, ‘In the face of every possible thing going wrong, we must be resilient.’ The future is full of endless possibilities, and, when we step up on a roadblock, we must figure out a way to swerve

See

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Graduating from Nutley High School are, above, from left, Olivia Crocco, Kenzey Afifi, Allison Bautista, Gianna Santangelo, Fiona Beqo and Claudia Kolakowski. Speaking at the June 23 ceremony are salutatorian Adam Benali, below left, and valedictorian Charles J. Hannon, below right.

NJ invests $21.4M to reduce litter across the state

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection is enhancing statewide efforts to remove litter, beautify neighborhoods and improve water quality across New Jersey by distributing $21.4 million in Clean Communities grants this year, an approximate $700,000 increase from 2021’s disbursement, NJDEP Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette announced.

In total, NJDEP is awarding nearly $19.1 million to eligible municipalities and $2.3 million to the state’s 21 counties. The 2021 grants distribution totaled

$20.7 million. Essex County was awarded $75,522.66. Belleville was awarded $61,470.44 and Nutley was awarded.

Clean Communities grants are funded by a legislated user-fee on manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors that produce litter-generating products.

“The DEP is thrilled that we are able to distribute additional grant funds this year to help communities improve their local environments and improve quality of life by removing litter, including from roadways and around stormwater collection

systems,” LaTourette said. “These community-level efforts have far-reaching impacts across the state, from beautifying neighborhoods to improving water quality and enhancing wildlife habitats.”

The nonprofit New Jersey Clean Communities Council oversees the reporting requirements for the program. Disbursements are based on housing units and miles of municipally owned roadways.

“Municipalities and counties are strongly encouraged to use these grants to organize volunteer cleanups, pay employ-

ees to pick up litter, purchase badly needed cleanup equipment, and promote education activities and enforcement,” said JoAnn Gemenden, executive director of the New Jersey Clean Communities Council. “We are grateful for funding that helps keep New Jersey litter free. We are proud to serve as an educational resource for communities, as we drive many of our campaigns to engage the younger generations to help mold positive, long-term anti-litter behaviors.”

Litter comes from pedestrians, motorists, overflowing household garbage, construction sites and uncovered trucks. Litter is often blown by the wind until it is trapped somewhere, such as along a fence, or in a ditch or gully. People tend to litter when an area is already littered, and when they lack a sense of ownership or community pride.

Activities funded by Clean Communities grants include volunteer litter cleanups, litter-related education, and cleanups of stormwater systems that can disperse trash into streams, rivers and bays; volunteer cleanups of public properties; adoption and enforcement of local anti-littering ordinances; beach cleanups; public information and education programs; purchases of litter collection equipment such as receptacles, recycling bins, anti-litter signs and graffiti removal supplies; and reusable bags to promote New Jersey’s single-use plastics law.

Photo Courtesy of Walt Smith

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SCHOLARS — The John H. Walker Memorial Foundation presents its annual scholarship awards to five Nutley High School seniors at a reception at the Nutley Free Public Library on May 25. From left are Scholarship Committee Chairperson Carol Gurney; seniors Nicole Lopez, Luke Yuricich, Nicholas Russo, Ethan Ramos and Fiorella Rivera; and foundation President Walt Smith.

Ice cream social brings visitors back to museum

By Amanda Valentovic Staff Writer

In a normal year, the Nutley Museum is open to the public twice a year: once for its Ice Cream for History night and once for the fall Pumpkin Festival. It’s also open by appointment and when the Nutley Historical Society holds events there. But for the most part for the last couple of years, the COVID-19 pandemic prevented anyone from strolling through the upstairs gallery full of Nutley memorabilia. That changed when the first event returned: Residents toured the gallery, then were rewarded with ice cream on June 2.

“In a normal year we’re open a couple of times a year, and then on demand,” NHS President Domenick Tibaldo said in an interview with the Nutley Journal at the event, while giving tours of the gallery. “We couldn’t open for two years. I’m a little rusty; I had to look up who some people were.”

There is a rotating stash of artifacts that the NHS stocks in the museum, which range from oil paintings and other artwork to signed photographs from Nutley native Martha Stewart. An original phone booth sits in the back corner of the room, which both Annie Oakley and Mark Twain used. Sports uniforms and game balls from Nutley High School are in glass cases, along with a stained-glass window pane from the Franklin Diner, which closed in the 1970s.

John Simko, the society’s museum director, has spent the last several years searching for art made by Nutley artists. He keeps an eye on auction houses and eBay. The NHS has had several paintings restored that are now hanging on the gallery wall.

“When there’s a good piece and a good price on it, and we all agree that we want it, we buy it,” Simko said in an interview with the Journal at the event. “Some of them are found in the basement; others are donated.”

Not all of the artworks in the museum

are pieces the NHS had to buy — some is recent work done by Nutley middle and high school students. Several years ago, Simko noticed the murals painted in sections of John H. Walker Middle School in the 1930s. One section was left blank, so the historical society and the district collaborated to complete the mural with a contest that students could enter. They produced samples and a winner was chosen; the contest entries now hang on the gallery wall.

Mayor Joseph Scarpelli said in an interview with the Journal at the event that reopening the museum to visitors again is a positive thing. Photos of his own family — Scarpelli’s father is a former Nutley Board of Commissioners member and mayor — are in the museum.

“There’s a group of amazing volunteers, and you see the work they do to maintain it and the things they’re able to collect,” Scarpelli said. “Especially for kids, it’s good to see them interested in Nutley history and how we’ve preserved it. There’s a treasure trove of stuff here.”

Barry Lenson’s father was an artist who had a studio in his home in Nutley, and Lenson, who is a member of the NHS and the museum’s art director, donated some of his father’s art when his father died. In the museum, there are also photographs of the studio, out of which several other artists also worked. Lenson said he tries as often as possible to convince people to sell artwork to the museum.

“We’re so lucky to have this facility,” Lenson said in an interview with the Journal at the event. “I think we’re the envy of a lot of historical societies in other towns.”

Ellie Slomkowski, another NHS member, said the historical society is excited to welcome people back to the museum after such a long, involuntary hiatus.

“We’re thrilled people are coming,” she said in an interview with the Journal at the event. “When you see this turnout, and you show them something and they get drawn in, it makes us so happy.”

Above left, Martha Stewart’s high school yearbook and signed memorabilia are in the museum. Above right is Nutley High School sports memorabilia.

Photos by Amanda Valentovic

Nutley Historical Society

President Domenick Tibaldo gives a tour.

Above, NHS member Ellie Slomkowski gives a tour of art in the museum on June 2. Below left, NHS President Domenick Tibaldo gives a tour of a phone booth at the museum. Below right, Nutley residents browse the museum’s many offerings.

Nutley actress follows her dream, stars off-Broadway

By Destiny D. Rose Staff Writer

Nutley resident Jess Appel has just finished starring in the off-Broadway play “Mi Abuela, Queen of Nightmares” at the historic Gene Frankel Theatre in Manhattan. Appel played the roles of Owl, Cactus and Jaguar in the story, which centers on a young Salvadoran American girl named Maya coming of age in Phoenix, Ariz. The show takes viewers through the magic and folklore of Maya’s culture while highlighting the difficulties of mother/daughter relationships and finding one’s identity as a mixed-race individual. There were 10 performances of the show, which ran June 15-26.

Appel, a dog mom to a 7-year-old beagle–Australian cattle dog mix named Maddox, moved to Nutley in April 2021. She lives with her 91-year-old grandmother, who has lived in the same home in Nutley for more than 65 years.

“It’s a time of my life that I will appreciate for the rest of my life. She’s the funniest person and we end up taking care of each other. … Our whole family is here. Family is my No. 1 most important thing in my life, and I’m so lucky that, now that I’m living in Nutley again, I get to have my family around me all the time,” Appel said. “It’s very relaxing, coming from someone who’s working in the city in the hustle bustle of the entertainment industry; getting to come home to somewhere that’s so peaceful and beautiful is just really, really nice.”

Appel went to high school in Montclair. Though she spent the first 10 years of her life in Denver, Colo., she prides herself on truly being a Jersey girl.

“Even though I technically lived the same amount of time in Denver as I did in New Jersey, I consider myself a Jersey girl, and I’m not embarrassed about it,” Appel said. “People are so nice here, especially in Nutley. People smile and wave hello here. … You would definitely get yourself into some trouble if you started waving at people in New York City, but here it’s a daily thing that happens to me.”

Appel developed a love of theater at a young age.

“I started reading at a really young age and was the narrator in my kindergarten’s performance of ‘The Little Red Hen.’ I was able to see the reactions of the audience and the kids in the play. It helped me to

realize the power of telling stories that help instill positive values. And I was hooked,” she said. “I always want to be in productions that leave people feeling challenged to be better versions of themselves and shows that make people feel good inside.

“I love that every single performance, I get to be better at my job,” she continued. “I get to continue to evolve into a better version of myself not only as a performer, but the experiences make me better as a part of society, as a person.”

Appel attended Syracuse University, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting. Upon graduation she moved to the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. She worked for more than 10 years as a bartender while continuing to pursue her acting career. When the COVID-19 pandemic shut down Manhattan in March 2020, Appel viewed it as a wakeup call to pursue her acting career full time.

“When everyone got let go from my job on March 16 or 17 of 2020, I decided that I was never going back,” she said, adding that, while bartending was a great side gig, it did sap her of the energy she needed to go to auditions and break into theater, her “passion.” “Especially for being a real people person and giving all of my

energy and myself to other people, I had very little left for myself.”

During the duration of stay-at-home orders during the pandemic, Appel worked with Amanda Quaid of the Talk Shop to learn 13 different accents, dedicating herself to working as an actress full time and all of the classes and study that go with that career choice. She said she prefers to work in the theater as opposed to film for a few reasons.

“There’s something about live performance and feeling the energy of an audience and also getting to go through a story from the beginning to the end and having that experience for myself, but also getting to see other people go through that experience, whether that’s the audience or my fellow actors,” she said, adding that films are shot out of order, which interrupts the flow. “You could be in a movie with an actor you’ve never actually met, and just collaboratively on the stage versus film you get to work with those people in the moment as one.

“Also, in the theater, there’s just this natural bonding experience that happens with your fellow actors, your director, your choreographer, and it's kind of like a little family,” she continued. “It becomes a family with all of those quirks and

AT THE LIBRARY

moments and, as I’m sure with other forms of acting, these people become your friends that you have for a lifetime because of these really strong, really emotional bonds you form while on the stage together.”

While working at the Library, a restaurant housed at the Public Theater — the presenter of Shakespeare in the Park — Appel met actor, singer and writer Amanda Andrews, who has become one of her greatest friends. Andrews was working with Christine Stoddard, the writer and director of “Mi Abuela,” in another one of Stoddard’s works, “Forget Fairytales.” When a member of “Forget Fairytales” dropped out, Andrews introduced Appel to Stoddard.

“Christine and I ended up getting on a phone call together, and we just liked each other so much that she offered me the role and thank God I came through for her. I’ve continued working with her, and it’s been such a great thing. I’ve done five of her plays since January. … It’s been an insane challenge,” Appel said. “I feel like any sort of rust that I had has very quickly fallen off. She is really such a prolific, wonderful and just talented writer.

“Comedic acting in general is where I think I shine and what makes me happy. The first performance that I was in and making people laugh and I just realized that I wanted to do this for forever was ‘A Comedy of Errors,’ which is a Shakespeare play, but it was just so funny and hearing people’s reactions and you know just hearing and sharing joy with people,” Appel continued. “Christine’s plays are so smart. It’s not, you know, stupid humor; it’s really witty and really smart and touches on social injustices. A lot of it is quite feminist and female driven; it’s calling out things in society that make no sense.”

When asked about advice for aspiring thespians, Appel said, “Don’t worry about what anyone tells you in terms of if it’s right for you or if you should or should not be doing this. Just do it no matter what any acting teacher or director says. Just keep doing it and then you’ll find out for yourself if it’s where you belong. You get better every single time you do it. And for me, I think that the joy of acting is being able to improve every single time you do your job. It’s a lifelong learning process, and that’s what I love about it. It never gets dull, and it never gets stale.”

Nutley Public Library, 93 Booth Drive in Nutley, holds events for residents of all ages. For more information, visit nutleypubliclibrary.org or contact library@nutleynj.org.

The health and safety of staff, patrons and the community at large is the highest priority. The library is open full hours, with many socially distanced programs in place, as well as the use of computers, printing, photocopying, document scan-

ning, notary service, iPads and the Story Time Room. The wearing of masks is required in the library. Pandemic guidelines are subject to change based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, New Jersey and local recommendations.

Teen volunteering

Volunteering is a great way for teenagers to stay busy or to fulfill community service requirements, and the library

will welcome teen volunteers from June through August. Previous volunteer or work experience is not required. Candidates must have good communication and teamwork skills, a positive attitude, and dependability. This program is for teens ages 13 to 18. Register at https://teenservices.nutleypubliclibrary.org/programs/

Stream video with Kanopy

Nutley Public Library has added

Kanopy — a video-streaming platform with more than 30,000 films for all ages, including critically acclaimed movies, documentaries, educational videos, and award-winning international and independent films — to its digital media collection. Kanopy can be accessed on mobile phones, tablets and computers. Patrons can view up to six titles per month. For further information and to get started, visit nutleypubliclibrary.kanopy.com.

Photo Courtesy of ‘Mi Abuela’

Photos Courtesy of Jess Appel

Jess Appel, of Nutley, recently starred in an off-Broadway play.

Bania to be appointed Nutley’s new superintendent

The Nutley Board of Education was expected to appoint Kent Bania as superintendent of schools at its June 27 meeting, which occurred after press time. Bania’s contract has been approved by the county superintendent and he will officially take on this role on July 1, succeeding Julie Glazer, who leaves the district on June 30.

A search firm, led by Ronald Bolandi, and the Board of Education began the process of finding and hiring the next Nutley superintendent on Feb. 28. After community and district meetings, a community survey and advertisements for the superintendent role, Bania was chosen from 27 applicants.

“We gathered important information from the community meetings and our survey that Ron Bolandi spearheaded, helping us decipher the needs of the district and the attributes of the next superintendent,” BOE President Daniel Carnicella said. “Our most important role as trustees is to hire and support the superintendent of schools. Mr. Bania has a deep and extensive knowledge of the Nutley Public Schools and community, and is a forward thinker in the world of education.

He is ready to lead the district.”

Bania served as acting superintendent this spring and, since 2020, has been Nutley’s assistant superintendent of schools. Bania joined the district’s central office in

the fall of 2016 in the role of director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, 6-12.

“I began my career in education 23 years ago in Nutley,” Bania said. “To now have the opportunity to lead the district is incredibly unique and a tremendous honor. I have lasting relationships within the district and the community, and I am looking forward to working with our administrative team, principals, coordinators, teachers, students and the board to carry the district into the future.”

During Bania’s tenure as a central office administrator, Nutley High School transitioned to the rotating block schedule and the district pivoted to virtual instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the district utilized and organized grant monies to upgrade air quality, extend learning spaces, increase mental health services, add staff in critical areas to extend the learning day and provide summer academies for support. Bania — in conjunction with Janine Loconsolo, the district’s director of curriculum, instruction and assessment, K-12 — created and led monthly virtual parent academies for information regarding the standardsbased report card; harassment, intimida-

tion and bullying policy and procedure; social and emotional learning initiatives; updates to the social studies curriculum and program; security updates; and the district’s gifted and talented program.

From 2009 through 2016, Bania was the district’s science coordinator. In this role, he was a member of the strategic plan development team, the primary contact for hiring science department staff, and responsible for providing professional development and instruction strategies for the science department.

Bania began his career in education as a science teacher at Nutley High School and John H. Walker Middle School in 1999. In addition, Bania coached lacrosse at Nutley High School and Montclair State University.

Bania holds a Bachelor of Science in environmental science from Cook College/Rutgers University and a Master of Science in biology and science education from Montclair State University. He also holds a Master of Arts in educational leadership from Lamar University and a New Jersey superintendent certificate. He lives in Essex County with his wife and their two young daughters.

Photos Courtesy of Nutley Public Schools

CONGRATULATIONS

— It was a beautiful day on June 21 for John H. Walker Middle School’s eighth-grade promotion ceremony. These students’ only experience of middle school was during a global pandemic, and they have shown resilience and growth throughout.

File Photo

Kent Bania, who will become Nutley’s next superintendent of schools in July, leads a CPR class for district staff in 2019.

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Holden joins honor society

In March, Lauren Holden, of Nutley, was among the 92 students at the University of Scranton, located in Scranton, Pa., to be inducted into Omega Beta Sigma, the school’s women’s business honor society. Holden is a senior marketing major.

Induction is open to students who major or minor in business, have at least sophomore academic standing, and have a grade-point average of 3.25 or higher.

Phi Kappa Phi honors

Belleville’s Natasha Fontanez, a student at Caldwell University in Caldwell, and Nutley’s Emily Holden, a student at Ithaca College in Ithaca, N.Y., were recently initiated into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi.

They are among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi this year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

Pramagioulis lauded

Athina Pramagioulis, of Nutley, was among the students at the University of Scranton, located in Scranton, Pa., recently inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma, the national honor society for criminal justice students. Pramagioulis is a junior criminal justice major.

For induction into the honor society, a student must be a junior or senior with a criminal justice major or minor, have completed at least four criminal justice courses, maintain a grade-point average of 3.2 overall as well as in criminal justice, and have a standing in the top 35 percent of the class.

Awards at Colgate

Nutley residents John Halligan and Grace LaBruno received the Dean’s Award with Distinction at Colgate University, located in Hamilton, N.Y., for the fall 2021 semester. Halligan, an anthropology major, is a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep; LaBruno, a political science major, is a graduate of Academy of the Holy Angels.

To earn this honor, students must earn a term grade-point average of 3.6 or better while completing at least three courses for a conventional letter grade.

Showcased at symposium

The fourth annual Piedmont University Symposium, located in Demorest, Ga., showcased the undergraduate research and creative inquiry projects of 389 students on April 6, including that of John Matrona, of Nutley.

“Piedmont Symposium is an exciting day when the entire university comes together to celebrate the work of our students,” university President James F. Mellichamp said. “I know I speak for everyone at Piedmont when I say that we are proud and inspired by our students,

who are proving they are ready to confront complex issues and make meaningful contributions to their fields, communities and the world.”

Perez presents research, earns degree from Albright

Krystal Michelle Perez, of Belleville, graduated from Albright College, located in Reading, Pa., with a Bachelor of Arts on May 15. Perez is a graduate of Belleville High School.

Additionally, Perez was one of 52 students at Albright who presented scholarly work at the 23rd annual Berks County Undergraduate Research and Creativity Conference on April 23. Majoring in fashion and music industry studies at Albright, Perez presented a poster titled “Meta-Millions: Fashion Steps Out of Reality & Goes Virtual.”

Waddleton honored

Taylor Waddleton, of Nutley, was honored as an outstanding student-athlete at Montclair State University on April 25. Waddleton, a family science and human development major, is a member of the women’s swimming and diving team at MSU.

Pramagioulis inducted

Athina Pramagioulis, of Nutley, was among the 45 University of Scranton students inducted into Phi Lambda Upsilon, the national honorary chemical society.

Pramagioulis is a junior forensic chemistry major at the Jesuit university, which is located in Scranton, Pa.

The honor society accepts students with 24 credits in chemistry and a gradepoint average of 3.0 or better.

Contini Iri inducted

Katherine Contini Iri, of Nutley, was recently initiated into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi at the University of Delaware, located in Newark, Del.

Contini Iri is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

Palmieri graduates

Victoria Palmieri, of Nutley, received a degree from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania at a commencement ceremony on May 8 at Eiler-Martin Stadium, located in East Stroudsburg, Pa.

Pita is salutatorian

Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark held commencement exercises on May 26; the Class of 2022 has achieved in excess of $13.7 million in academic scholarships and awards.

The Principal’s Award for Academic Excellence was awarded to salutatorian

See STUDENT, Page 9

(Continued from Page 8)

Raquel Pita, of Belleville. Pita plans to major in cybersecurity at the University of New Haven. Additionally, Pita was named a Seton Distinguished Scholar.

Banks receives BA

Bernice Banks, of Belleville, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Goldey-Beacom College, located in Wilmington, Del., during the school’s 135th commencement ceremony on April 29.

Algieri earns degree

Anthony Algieri, of Nutley, earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, located in Worcester, Mass., on May 14.

Degrees from Scranton

Nutley residents Lauren M. Holden and Ethan J. Walker each received degrees from the University of Scranton, located in Scranton, Pa., on May 21. Holden earned a Bachelor of Science in marketing and Walker earned a Master of Health Administration.

Navarra earns bachelor’s

Elena Navarra, of Nutley, graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary liberal studies from James Madison University, located in Harrisonburg, Va., during commencement exercises in May.

Additionally, Navarra was named to

the school’s president’s list for the spring 2022 semester. Students who earn president’s list honors must carry at least 12 graded credit hours and earn a gradepoint average of 3.9 or better.

Diaz named to dean’s list

Cesia Diaz, of Belleville, was named to the dean’s list at Wilkes University, located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., for the spring 2022 semester.

To be named to the dean’s list, a student must obtain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 and carry at least 12 credits.

Kraft on president’s list

Jensen Kraft, of Nutley, has been named to the president’s list at Davis & Elkins College, located in Elkins, W.Va., for the spring 2022 semester. The president’s list includes all full-time students who achieve a grade-point average of 4.0 for the semester.

Honors at Bucknell

Nutley residents Chris Carnovale, Shannon Granelli and Meghan Tran were all named to the dean’s list at Bucknell University, located in Lewisburg, Pa., for the spring 2022 semester. A student must earn a grade-point average of 3.5 or better on a scale of 4.0 to receive dean’s list recognition.

Matrona gets perfect 4.0

John Matrona, of Nutley, has been named a Dean’s Scholar at Piedmont Uni-

versity, located in Demorest, Ga., for the spring 2022 semester. Students who are named a Dean’s Scholar achieve a perfect grade-point average of 4.0 during the semester.

Acclaim at Lehigh

Areesha Ahmed, of Nutley, and Sofia Ruiz, of Belleville, were named to the dean’s list at Lehigh University, located in Bethlehem, Pa., for the spring 2022 semester.

To receive this honor, a student must earn a scholastic average of 3.6 or better while carrying at least 12 hours of regularly graded courses.

Williams on dean’s list

Mehki Williams, a communication major from Nutley, has been named to the dean’s list at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania for the spring 2022 semester.

Students eligible for the dean’s list are those who have attained a quality-point average of 3.5 or better and are enrolled full-time.

Melillo graduates

Centenary University awarded degrees to 465 graduates at its 147th commencement ceremony this spring. Danielle Melillo, of Nutley, graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in business administration and management.

Additionally, Melillo was named to the school’s dean’s list for the spring 2022

semester. To achieve this honor, full-time students must achieve a semester gradepoint average of 3.8 or better and complete a minimum of 12 semester credits.

Honors at Hofstra

Nora Janikian and Alexa McNulty, both of Nutley, have been named to the dean’s list at Hofstra University, located in Hempstead, N.Y., for the spring 2022 semester.

Students must earn a grade-point average of at least 3.5 during the semester to make the dean’s list.

McAloon earns BA

Nutley resident John G. McAloon graduated from DeSales University, located in Center Valley, Pa., with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice during the university’s 53rd commencement ceremony on May 21.

Bachelor’s for Mensah

Lord Mensah, of Belleville, graduated from Buffalo State College, located in Buffalo, N.Y., with a Bachelor of Science in computer information systems in spring 2022.

Degrees from W&M

Nutley residents Huatao Chen and Fares Sukkar recently received degrees from the College of William & Mary, located in Williamsburg, Va. Chen earned a Bachelor of Business Administration, and Sukkar earned a Master of Science.

Eight seniors honored with Legacies Writing awards

Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and the Division of Senior Services announced the four winners and four honorable mention recipients of the 2022 Essex County Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest during an awards luncheon at the Robert O’Toole Community Center in Cedar Grove Park. The Legacies Writing Contest encourages area senior citizens to write essays about the people and events that have influenced their lives.

“Our Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest is a unique way for our older population to share their life stories and describe the people and events that helped to shape their lives,” DiVincenzo said. “Our seniors’ stories make you laugh and they touch your heart. They provide us with a different perspective on historical events and what our society was like.”

This year’s contest winners are Newark resident Maryam Bey, who wrote “Experience Is the Best Teacher”; Livingston resident Susan Levine, who wrote “Finding My Way Through the Woods”; Bloomfield resident Joseph L. Monzione, who wrote “Lunch With Mrs. Roberts”; and Irvington resident Ruth C. Steele, who wrote “Not College Material.” Receiving honorable mentions were Maplewood resident Marie Walton-Jack-

son, who wrote “Reflections”; East Orange resident Carol T. Jenkins, who wrote “My Little Blue Bank Book”; Nutley resident Rosemary Valese, who wrote “Cabbage Patch Doll Blessings”; and Bloomfield resident Paula R. Zaccone, who wrote “The Medical Menace.”

Valese’s story tells a touching tale about kindness. When Valese was working at Romance Emporium in Clifton during the 1980s, Cabbage Patch dolls were popular. One day a family whose daughter needed brain surgery came to the store and the child wanted a Cabbage Patch doll. Valese was so touched, she offered to buy the 8-year-old whatever dolls and accessories she wanted. Soon, the other salespeople had taken up a collection and raised $500 for the young girl. Unfortunately, the girl did not live long after having the surgery. Despite this, Valese felt good knowing that the young girl enjoyed her final wish of having a Cabbage Patch doll.

During the ceremony, the winning stories were read by Essex County West Caldwell School of Technology students Lucia Nufio, Roselyn Ramos-Guzman, Corey Newman and Liana Figueroa.

Congratulations to all of the Legacies Writing Contest winners, especially Nutley’s own Valese!

Scarpelli to debut ‘Inside Nutley’ podcast in July

Mayor Joseph P. Scarpelli announced that he will be debuting a new podcast this July. “Inside Nutley” will feature Scarpelli and host Thomas Greco, along with special guests, who will be taking a look at current town issues and how the town is moving forward, and answering questions from Nutley residents.

“This is something we have been discussing for a while, but with so much going on in the township, it’s been a challenge for any of us to find the time to sit down and do it,” Scarpelli said. “We look forward to updating the public on what is going on inside and outside Town Hall, while also welcoming neighboring town officials and residents into the conversation as well.

“It will be a very casual conversation each month,” he continued. “But all five commissioners want to utilize this concept to keep our residents educated and informed on everything that is happening in town. I especially look forward to a question-and-answer segment we will be doing, where we will answer our residents’ questions.”

Residents who wish to submit questions to the mayor may do so by emailing them to publicrelations@nutleynj.org. Questions must include the asker’s name, address and phone number.

Look for “Inside Nutley” in early July on Facebook, YouTube, iTunes and SoundCloud.

Community Care Kitchen in Nutley

The Community Care Kitchen has reopened by serving hot, takeout meals twice per month at Vincent United Methodist Church, 100 Vincent Place in Nutley, on the third and last Saturday of each month from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Prepared and shared currently by people from Vincent Church and Grace Episcopal Church, the meal might be chicken, beef or pasta with sides and vegetables.

Everyone is welcome to come by the Community Care Kitchen and pick up a meal to-go, including families and seniors. In these tough times, there is a growing need and the churches are partnering with others in the community to make a difference. Anyone who would like to make a contribution can visit https://www.vincentumc.org/ for more information.

Photo Courtesy of Glen Frieson

Congratulating Nutley resident Rosemary Valese, second from left, for receiving an honorable mention in the 2022 Essex County Senior Citizen Legacies Writing Contest are, from left, Gloria Chambers-Benoit from the Essex County Division of Senior Services, Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. and Senior Services Director Maurice Brown.

Nutley Farmers Market returns for 13th season

Mayor Joseph P. Scarpelli and the Greenutley Committee invite everyone to enjoy the 13th season of the Nutley Farmers Market. The 2022 market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday through Oct. 30 in Municipal Lot 7, 507 Franklin Ave. in Nutley. Parking is available in Lot 7 and Lot 9; enter behind Bella Luce Restaurant.

The Nutley Farmers Market, established in 2009, offers local food, live music, and an array of events, such as special recycling days, a Peach Party, a Food Fest, an Eco-Fest, and civic and school pride days. Featured vendors, demonstrations, and community outreach days with the Nutley Public Library, Nutley Family Service Bureau and the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Essex County occur regularly. Each week, the market accepts food and monetary donations on behalf of the NFSB food pantry to help local families in need.

The 2022 season will continue to offer Market Walk & Talks to help patrons get fit and informed during their weekly visit to the market. During a scenic 3-mile loop through Nutley parks that begins at 8:30 a.m., walkers have the opportunity to chat with experts from a variety of fields, such as health, wellness, fitness, education, government, law, art, design and writing.

The market’s returning local farmers and food producers include Asprocolas Acres, Cat-Like Reflexes Lemonade, Empanada Lady Food Truck, Gourmet Nuts & Dried Fruit, Grandma Emma’s, Hidden Valley Farm, Hoboken Farms, Neshanic Valley Beekeepers, Paolo’s Kitchen, Pickles Olives Etc., and TreeLicious Orchards & Just Made Bakery. Two new vendors added to the 2022 line up are A Butter Life Bakery and Cozz Coffee.

The featured vendor lineup includes Amazing Fungi and Greens, BAKER.nj, Cutco Cutlery, 8andone, Emilio’s Wood Fire Pizza, Gaby’s Confections, GET Doggie Treats & Sweets, Giuseppe’s Workshop, Hyssop Beauty Apothecary, Ignis Moon, Somers 27 Soap Co., and Starward Soap Co.

For more information, visit www.nutleynj.org/farmersmarket.

TO THE MARKET — Belleville’s first farmers market was held June 18 and, despite some heavy winds, was a great success. The next farmers market will be Saturday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Belleville High School.

Photos Courtesy of Michael Melham

NHS softball team enjoys banner season

Lady Raiders capture state sectional championship during 21-win campaign

By Joe Ragozzino Sports Editor

The Nutley High School softball team, under head coach Luann Zullo, enjoyed another magnificent season.

The Lady Raiders captured the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament championship with a convincing 10-5 win over West Morris in the final at Yanticaw Park in Nutley on Thursday, May 26.

It was Nutley’s first state sectional title since 2015. The team also won the sectional titles in 2006 and 2010. Zullo has been the Nutley head coach since 1999. It was Nutley’s third straight appearance in the North 2, Group 3 sectional final, though the team lost in 2019 and 2021. The 2020 season was canceled due to the pandemic.

After fourth-seeded West Morris scored a run in the top of the first inning, second-seeded Nutley answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning, keyed by a bases-clearing double by senior Nikki Cicchetti.

Fallyn Stoeckel, a senior, pitched a five-hitter with five strikeouts and one walk. At the plate, Stoeckel had a double and an RBI. Sydney Hess, also a senior, had a single and an RBI, and senior Lia DeMaio went 3-for-4 with a single, a triple and two runs scored. Skye Stoeckel, a freshman and Fallyn’s sister, had a single and an RBI, and junior Robin Niland went 2-for-4 with a single and a double. Mia DiPiano, a junior, also drove in a run.

Nutley advanced to the state Group 3 semifinal against the North 1 sectional champion Roxbury, which defeated Morris Knolls, 7-0, on May 27 on a no-hitter by Hailey Errichiello.

The state Group 3 semifinal was a marathon game that took two days to complete, with host Roxbury outlasting

Nutley, 2-1, in 13 innings.

The game began on Wednesday, June 1. Fallyn Stoeckel and Errichiello were locked in a pitchers’ duel. With the teams combining for just three hits and 20 strikeouts, the game remained scoreless in the top of the seventh and final inning with two outs when officials stopped the

game due to thunder and lightning. After a lengthy delay, the game was suspended and resumed the next day in Roxbury.

In the top of the ninth, Nutley broke the scoreless tie on Fallyn Stoeckel’s RBI double. Roxbury answered with a run in the bottom of the inning to tie it.

Roxbury then won it on a walk-off RBI hit in the bottom of the 13th inning.

Despite the heartbreaking loss, Nutley enjoyed one of its best seasons, finishing with a stellar 21-6 record. In addition to winning the state sectional championship, Nutley finished as the Essex County Tournament runner-up. In the ECT final, third-seeded Nutley lost to top-seeded Mount St. Dominic Academy, 2-0, on May 21 at Mike Sheppard Sr. Field on the campus of Seton Hall University at Ivy Hill Park. Mount St. Dominic scored both runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

The following Nutley players earned all–Super Essex Conference–American Division honors, as selected by the conference coaches.

First team:

• DeMaio and Fallyn Stoeckel.

Second team:

• Hess and junior Gianna Lembo.

Honorable mention:

• Niland and Cicchetti.

Zullo will direct the 2022 All-Star Raider Softball Camp July 11-14 at the Park Oval from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. The camp is open to all girls entering grades 4-9. A fee is charged. To register, contact Zullo at lzullo@nutleyschools.org.

Raiders baseball team posts solid 14-11 season

By Joe Ragozzino Sports Editor

The Nutley High School baseball team finished with a solid 14-11 overall record this season.

The eighth-seeded Raiders defeated ninth-seeded Chatham, 4-2, in the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association’s North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 tournament on June 1 to extend their winning streak to four games. However, they dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 decision to top-seeded and Super Essex Conference–American Division foe Millburn in the quarterfinals on June 3 to end the season.

The Raiders, under head coach Bob Harbison, had four players who earned all–SEC–American Division honors.

First team:

• Joe Delanzo, senior shortstop/pitcher.

Second team:

• Dylan Santos, senior second baseman.

Honorable mention:

• Brandon Lucia, junior outfielder.

• Ryan Gencarelli, senior third baseman.

Harbison provided season stats. Delanzo batted .424 with 21 RBIs, six doubles, one triple and four home runs this season. He also had a .667 on-base percentage.

Delanzo will continue his career at Stony Brook University in Stony Brook, N.Y., next year.

Santos, who will play at William Paterson University in Wayne next year, batted .328 with 10 RBIs and four doubles. Lucia hit .390 with 20 RBIs, seven doubles, one triple and three home runs.

Gencarelli played flawless defense and was a clutch hitter, said Harbison.

Photo Courtesy of NHS Athletics

The Nutley High School softball players and coaches gather together for a group pose. Standing far left is head coach Luann Zullo. Nutley won the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 state tournament championship this season.

File Photo

Nutley senior shortstop/pitcher Joe Delanzo batted .424 this season. He will continue his career at Stony Brook University.

Nutley scientists team up to discover new drugs

Academic and pharmaceutical experts in New York City and northern New Jersey have formed a regional drug accelera-

tor to address the urgent need to develop novel antiviral treatments for SARS-CoV2, its variants, and other coronaviruses

and pandemic viruses, as well as future viral threats.

The Metropolitan AntiViral Drug Accelerator, or MAVDA, will be funded by a three-year, $65,141,731 million grant from the National Institutes of Health and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease’s Antiviral Drug Discovery Centers for Pathogens of Pandemic Concern program. MAVDA combines world-class virologists and academic drug finders from Rockefeller University, Columbia University and Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City; the Hackensack Meridian Center for Discovery and Innovation in Nutley; and Rutgers University, along with proven antiviral drug developers Merck, the Tri-Institutional Therapeutics Discovery Institute and Aligos Therapeutics.

MAVDA’s mission will be to discover, optimize and test innovative small molecule antiviral drugs to target coronaviruses, emphasizing SARS-CoV-2, and one or more select RNA viruses with pandemic potential. The goal is to rapidly develop drugs that can be given orally and in an outpatient setting in the near future.

The overall program will be co-led by drug discovery expert David Perlin at the Hackensack Meridian CDI and Rockefeller University virologist and Nobel laureate Charles Rice.

“This public-private partnership is how science can prepare for the next phase of

SARS-CoV-2, as well as other current and new viral threats,” said Perlin, the chief scientific officer and senior vice president of the CDI, and also a professor at the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.

“Vaccines were a terrific breakthrough to help stem COVID-19 after the initial spread, but, as we have learned with COVID-19 and other pandemic diseases, vaccines alone are insufficient. We need effective drugs that can be used early and distributed widely to diverse populations around the world.”

“We need to think differently,” said Rice, the Maurice R. and Corinne P. Greenberg Professor in Virology and head of the Laboratory of Virology and Infectious Disease at Rockefeller University, who is the recipient of the 2020 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. “Bringing all this experience and expertise into the same program, and having everyone ‘pull’ in the same direction, can produce some great results.”

The goal of this project is to take what the scientists discover on the academic side and rapidly translate it using the capabilities of the pharmaceutical companies.

“We are excited at the breadth of this project and the huge difference it could make,” Perlin said. “For a global health challenge like COVID-19, we need to think bigger — and differently. We embrace the challenge.”

FREE HEARING SCREENINGS

The Montclair State University Center for Audiology offers comprehensive audiological services for adults and children, including free hearing screenings:

• Hearing Evaluations

• Hearing Aid Sales and Services

• Auditory Processing Disorder Testing

• Balance Testing

• Custom Ear Molds and Hearing Protectors

• Auditory Brainstem Response Testing

• Medicare Accepted Hearing screenings are conducted every month.

Please call 973-655-3934 or email csdclinic@mail.montclair.edu to schedule an appointment.

Maris

Photo Courtesy of Essex County

‘TRASHY’ ART — Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. congratulates Sabrina Palmer, of Belleville, for winning third place in the Kto-fourth-grade category in the second G’ART’bage Contest at the Essex County Environmental Center on Monday, May 23. The contest encouraged participants to create pieces of art using recycled or reused items. The artwork was displayed during the Environmental Center’s Earth Day celebration in April.

NEF celebrates 5th annual Sip, Savour & Support

In addition, we offer Bible Studies on Sunday mornings at 9:00 and on Thursday evenings at 7:00 You can participate in either one of these classes -or both- through Zoom by calling the church to get placed on the Zoom call list.

There are several other opportunities throughout the week involving prayer, study, and community for all age levels. Brookdale is a loving and caring congregation under the leadership of Pastor Love Saquing and Pastor Jim Treffinger. Our mission is to be a Family Growing Together in God.

Photos Courtesy of Nutley Educational Foundation

The Nutley Educational Foundation celebrated its fifth annual Sip, Savour & Support evening at Kingsland Manor on June 16. This outdoor event featured a mix-and-mingle, with plenty of time for attendees to congratulate NEF’s 2021-22 award recipients and kick off NEF’s annual fundraising campaign. The talented Nutley High School Jazz Lab, Strings & Chorale Group provided entertainment throughout this evening under the stars. Hors d’oeuvres and wine were served.

July 4 in Belleville

Belleville will celebrate Independence Day a bit early, on Friday, July 1, with a

rain date of July 2, at the Belleville Municipal Stadium, 100 Passaic Ave. The festivities, which begin at 6 p.m., will feature clowns, face painting, rides, food trucks

IN MEMORIAM

• ALESSIO – Dominic, of Nutley, formerly of Belleville; June 14. Born in Acri, Italy. Self-employed mason. Husband, father, 75.

• CAPRIO – Eleanore M., of Nutley; May 17. Was 95.

• CRAWFORD – Kenneth William, of Bethlehem, Pa., formerly of Belleville and Stirling; May 24. Navy veteran, husband, father, brother, grandfather, 86.

• DE GREGORIO – Rosemarie, of Southern Pines, N.C., formerly of Nutley; June 9. Communications supervisor with AT&T. Widow, mother, aunt, 96.

• DIBLASIO – Bess Ann, of Chatham, formerly of Belleville; June 1. Volunteer at The Arc of Essex County. Wife, sister, aunt, grandaunt, 65.

• EBLE – Richard E., of Furlong, Pa., formerly of Nutley; June 15. Army veteran, retired from Prudential. Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 85.

• FARRELL – Loretta, of Fairfield, formerly of Belleville and Toms River; June 8. Member, Women of Irish Heritage. Widow, mother, great-grandmother, 96.

• JERNICK – William J. III, of Nutley; May 28. U.S. Marine Corp veteran. Husband, father, brother, grandfather, 73.

• KURDYLA – Irma, of Towaco, formerly of Newark and Belleville; May 16. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 93.

• LITTLE – Patrick F., of Nutley; May 26. Was 94.

• SCAFARIA – John Cosmo, of Nutley, formerly of Italy; June 19. Retired Spanish teacher. Helped with his brother’s production company. Brother, 79.

• SQUITIERI – Carmela “Mella,” formerly of Belleville; June 18. Was 94.

and music, as well as a fireworks display at dusk.

A historical July 4

The morning of the 4th of July will kick off with a big bang at the old Belleville Dutch Reformed Church cemetery. The Belleville Historical Society will host the 21st annual July 4 morning ceremony at 10 a.m. The church, now La Senda Antigua, is located at 171 Main St.

The cemetery is the final resting place of 68 Revolutionary War soldiers. On Sept. 12, 1777, the Battle of Second River took place at the site; it was the only battle fought in Essex County during the American Revolution. Josiah Hornblower, who served in the Continental Congress, and Col. Philip Van Cortlandt, commander of the Essex County Regiment, are buried at the site.

township’s Fourth of July festivities on Monday, July 4, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Park Oval, with Franklin Avenue closing from Church Street to Chestnut Street. Food vendors will line Franklin Avenue, and DJ Rob Franicola will be on hand to provide music and games in the oval. The fireworks are scheduled to start at dusk. In the event of inclement weather, the celebration will be held on the next clear night.

ECBCC meetings

The Essex County Board of County Commissioners will meet at 5 p.m. in person in the ECBCC chambers, Room 506 on the fifth floor of the Hall of Records, 465 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. in Newark, on the following days: July 6, Aug. 3, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 2, Dec. 1 and Dec. 14.

The commissioner board room is equipped with an assistive-listening system, and a sign language interpreter will be available upon advance notification to the Essex County Office of the Disabled at 973-395-8429.

Walk in Yanticaw Park

• TURANO – Catherine, of Brick, formerly of Nutley an Howell; June 3. Was 94.

There will be a display of reproductions of a dozen different flags used during the Revolutionary War. The 45-minute ceremony will include the raising of the Betsy Ross 13-star flag, the singing of the national anthem, the roll call of the names of the 68 soldiers buried there and conclude with the firing of a 21-gun cannon salute. For more information, contact Michael Perrone at bellevillehistory@gmail.com or call 973-780-7852.

The Nutley Singles Walking Group hosts a free 4-mile walk for area residents ages 55 to 65 each Thursday at 6 p.m. The group meets at Yanticaw Park in Nutley, by the Centre Street entrance. Participants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must show proof. For more information, call 201-280-8254. one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

Fireworks in Nutley

Mayor Joseph Scarpelli and the Nutley Board of Commissioners will present the

COVID-19 delays troop’s centennial celebration

Nutley Scouts BSA Troop 147, sponsored by the Franklin Reformed Church, completed 100 years of registration on Feb. 28, 2021. The troop has held online and outdoor meetings for the last two years and only recently started meeting in person again inside the Community House at the church.

The troop originally was chartered in June 1917 and lasted for two years before disbanding, most likely due to World War I, as some of the leaders went off to military service. The troop, with nine Scouts, had met in the church basement for those two years, as the Community House had not been built yet.

When the Community House was completed in 1923, the troop started up again on Feb. 28, 1923, and the troop has had continuous registration since. The troop was actually the first organization to be sponsored and to meet in the newly built Community House building. Troop 147 was one of 12 Nutley Scout troops over the years; however, today, it is the only troop in town, as several churches and schools dropped their sponsorship due to lack of interested Scouts and leaders.

Scout membership in the troop had gotten up to 90 boys in the 1960s and 1970s; today’s membership is 25. The troop has had 133 Eagle Scouts, the highest rank. The first two were Arwid Michaelson and Frank W. Scamell in

Photo Courtesy of Troop 147

Nutley Scouts celebrate their 100th anniversary. Top row, from left, are Assistant Scoutmaster Scott Ballou, Willem Wuebben, Anthony Rodier, Joseph Buset, Archer St. Amant, Ryan Lui, Joseph O’Halloran and Troop Committee Chairperson Eric Buset. Middle row, from left, are Nicholas Buset, Jacob Vazquez, Ripley Ballou, Aayush Patel, David Crecco, Nolan Brown, Jeffery Quinn and Clark St. Amant. Bottom row, from left, are Ryan Estrella, Julian Galvan, Cole Wood, Russell Ballou, Sean Peters, Daniel Kielblock, Griffin Modrzejewski and Daniel Ogonowski.

1929; the most recent is Ethan Wanko, who became an Eagle Scout on April 26 of this year. The Scouts have contributed to hundreds of Eagle Scout and good-turn projects in the town of Nutley and for the Franklin Reformed Church over the years.

Throughout the years, Troop 147 Scouts and Scoutmasters have received recognition for lifesaving efforts. The troop has been teaching first aid and lifesaving skills during its 100-year history, embracing the Boy Scout motto: “Be Prepared.”

Troop 147 Scouts have enjoyed yearround camping and hiking activities, as well as summer camp and summer hiking tours in the eastern part of the United States, a two-week trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, and a two-week canoe trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota. In addition, Troop 147 Scouts have attended National Jamborees over the years. For the troop’s 50th anniversary, in 1971, the troop hiked the 184.5-mile Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail from Washington, D.C., to the Cumberland Gap in Maryland, which took two weeks.

Two teams from Troop 147 recently participated in the Council Klondike Derby, with the older team placing third in its division. The Klondike Derby is a winter Scout event based on the Klondike Gold Rush of Alaska and the Yukon. Since the event started in 1949, Troop 147 has won the event more than 30 times, collecting more than 90 trophies for firstthrough fifth-place finishes.

The troop has had only 15 Scoutmasters in its 100-year history and is currently led by Scoutmaster Mike DeCarlo, Troop Committee Chairperson Eric Buset, Assistant Scoutmaster Scott Ballou and others.

The Troop meets on Tuesday nights, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at the Community House at Franklin Reformed Church, 45 Hillside Crescent in Nutley.

Medical school sends 63 grads into residencies

Following a June 8 commencement ceremony, 63 students from the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine are now doctors and are beginning their residencies to start their careers. The commencement’s keynote was delivered by Cornel West, the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Chair at Union Theological Seminary.

The medical students came from the inaugural 2018 cohort of the medical school in a four-year program and the 2019

cohort who finished their medical degree in an accelerated three-year program.

“We believe that to improve health care in America, we have to start in how we educate physicians, to teach them to focus on prevention as much as healing,’’ Hackensack Meridian Health CEO Robert C. Garrett said. “I am so proud of our graduates and know they will transform health care and always put patients at the center of their practice.’’

“We are thrilled that this school’s impact continues to grow,” said Dr. Jeffrey Boscamp, the interim dean of the school and a professor of pediatrics. “Sending such promising talented doctors out into the world to spread our culture of compassionate and humanistic care is what it is all about.”

More than half of the graduates will serve residencies in Hackensack Meridian Health hospitals. Residency institu-

tions for this year include the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania; the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai; and the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education.

Last year, the inaugural commencement ceremony featured the first 18 students from the inaugural class who graduated in the three-year track then went on to residencies across the Hackensack Meridian Health network.

Photos Courtesy of Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine

2022 seniors graduate from Nutley High School

The following members of the Class of 2022 graduated from Nutley High School on June 23:

Ariela A. Acevedo

Kenzey Afifi

Tarek Z. Ageeb

Kristen C. Agudelo

Jalen B. Aguirre

Anis Alamov

Hushnuda Alamova

Rocco J. Albanese

Mackenzie Albert Joseph M. Alberti

Sebastian Alcalde

Joshua David Alessandra

Vanessa Antonio

Ashley V. Apolo Ugalde

Angie B. Aranda

Diego J. Arellano

Adrianna M. Argenziano

Rehman A. Arshad

Bryan R. Atariguana

Ela Aydin

Lester A. Balbuena

Anxhelina Banushi

Lucas A. Barrionuevo Velasquez

Alyssa G. Bartulovich

Allison Y. Bautista Martinez

Michael A. Beck Jr.

Thomas Bednarz

Justin Bejarano

Adam Benali

Miguel Benitez Jr. Tyler M. Bennett

Fiona Beqo

James A. Bernardo

David Berry

Kiran Bhagirathe

Luca G. Blancato

Kate Adelle O. Bontia

Amanda P. Britton

Justin M. Bruggemann

Rjon Domingo Bucoy

Madison A. Carrara

Sophia J. Carrillo

Shane C. Castillo

Dominic S. Cerreto

Paul P. Cerruto

Laiba A. Chaudhary

Nicole T. Cicchetti

Jake Cirminiello

Cristina L. Clayton

Nikki L. Cocuzza

Brian J. Conte

Frankie Contella

Kareen Cooney

Sean W. Coradin

Mariana Costa

Jayla E. Cotto

Giovanni Crocco

Joseph C. Crocco

Olivia Grace Crocco

Brandon Cuaresma

Jayden Cuevas

Lucas Vincent De Christofaro

Kyra De La Cerna

Lia N. De Maio

Matthew De Oliveira

Corrine L. DeFede

Joseph R. DeLanzo

Victor Delgado

Alexa A. DellaFera

Nicolette M. DellaFera

Gerard M. DeMaio

Vincent DeMaio Alexa M. DeVincenzo

Giancarlo Rafaelo Di Palma

Jessica N. Diaz Deanna R. DiBlasi

Roger Mark Dieterle

Gianna DiMaiolo Andres F. DiMatteo Cassandra L. Dominguez Rachel E. Echevarria

Rebecca C. Echevarria

Kevin E. Englich

Daniel J. Ervolino

David Mohammed Eshaq

Marc Fabricatore

Zacharia Farag

Giuseppe Farro

Alessandra Ferraro

Jenna M. Ferraro

Liliana Ferraro

Katelyn Fitzpatrick

Mia A. Fonzo

Christian A. Forgione

Tatianna K. Freckleton

Matthew E. Furlong III

Frank S. Gabriele

Charmaine Garcia

Jenna M. Garner

Brendan C. Gaschke

Ella Jeanne Gencarelli

Ryan J. Gencarelli

Mia R. Geraghty

Kayla Giachetti

Jamian K. Giarraffa

Javier A. Gil Nailah A. Glaze

Brandon M. Gonsiewski

Garv B. Goswami

Abigail T. Groeling

Natalie Grogan Isabella Grzywinski

Maya Guerra

Katarina De Vera Guimary Isabella Guzman

Stellamarie Halpin

Austin Hamer

Charles J. Hannon Matthew J. Harbison

Daniel A. Harrington Sydney L. Hess

Thao Ho

Daniel Joseph Holler

Brandon Hoo Victoria R. Horniacek

Elita Hoxhaj

Julia Hroncich

Allison E. Huelbig

Stephen James Hugo

Matthew J. Ilardi

Salvatore R. Intili

Mirai Ishikawa

Aditya Jain

Fabian A. Jimenez

Jillian Andrea D. Juat

Dilara O. Kalebek

Edward J. Kaminski

Jack M. Kirk

Joshua T. Koehler

Frankie Kokos

Claudia Kolakowski

Mikayla G. Koster

Ashlyn M. Kurtzmann

Ataya A. Kuspiel

Madison Kwiatkowski

Michael Isaac Lambiase

Eduardo D. Lazo

Max Lenczuk

Mateo Leon

Natalie R. Levis

Zamayah A. Lewis-Randolph

Max A. LoMonaco

Nicole Olivia Lopez

Stephanie N. Luberto

Manuel J. Macias Infante

Samantha L. Macklin

Sean M. Mahar

Tabitha M. Marese

Zachary R. Marshall

Mark R. Maruri

Anthony M. Mastandrea

Frank A. Matrona

Gia N. McAloon

Michael A. McCusker Jr.

See

Photos by Steve Ellmore

From left are Karen Tantalean, Devin Sonnylal and Kareen Cooney.

Turning their tassels, grads look ahead to future

(Continued from Page 18)

Cassandra R. McKinney

William David McNeil

Ryan Joseph Meehan

Caitlin Mendoza

Diana Mendoza-Zavala

Lindsay N. Merritt

Briana E. Mico

William J. Mielnicki

Vincent M. Miller

Manuel Mills-Velez

Erin M. Miskell

Joseph W. Mullany

Nina H. Muzzicato

Leah E. Navarra

Sarah J. Newmark

Lucia Nguyen

Ian G. Norona

Kayla I. Nsiko

Johana N. Nyakairu

Jonathan K. Nyakairu

Jake A. O’Connor

Joseph W. O’Halloran

Anthony Olalla

Nicole X. Ortiz

Alyssa D. Ostrowski

Joshua Padilla Victoria C. Palacios

Claudia J. Palmieri

Anand Patel Nandini H. Patel

Gianna Pedulla

Cole R. Peluso

Nafredny M. Peña Hernández

Matthew C. Pergola

Cristopher D. Pierro

Wyatt C. Pilsbury

Julian M. Poole

Paul K. Poplawski

Emma Portillo

Melanie A. Prado

Damian M. Quiles

Madeline G. Quinn

Mary A. Rado

Sahat Rahman

Diogo A. Ramirez

Kassandra I. Ramirez

Ethan Michael V. Ramos

Olivia T. Real

Kiam M. Reaves

Adalberto Reyes

Daniel Reyes III

Peter M. Riad

Noah X. Rindfleisch

Emanuel Rios Jr. Josiah S. Rios

Fiorella S. Rivera

Brandon Enrique Rivera-García

Ilana Robbins

Angeleah G. Rockford

Lucas D. Rodrigues

Cassandra J. Rohlfs

Aiden Taylor Romero

Christopher Roque

Julianna M. Rudish

Natalie J. Rufino

Nicholas M. Russo

Nicole A. Russo

Inger Saavedra

Alyssa Sbarra

Isabel Saccente

Adam Saheli

Christina Sako

Nelson Salamanca III

Gisella Cinzia Salvatore

Jolie A. Sanjuanelo

Gianna Marie Santangelo

Jayden Santiago Kayla M. Santiago

Tiffany Santiago

Dylan Hunter Santos

Ezra H. Saquing

Aidan A. Scarpelli

Julia Scheidel

Sophia A. Schettino

Mikayla P. Schoch

Nicholas G. Schroeder

Allison D. Scorsone

Danielle N. Scott

Paul A. Scutti Jr.

Alexa N. Serafino

Daniella M. Serafino

Elia Shaker

Kelley M. Shoemaker

Alexa M. Sibello

John Thomas Signorile

Amanda Nicole Silva

Michael R. Silva

Sydney Elizabeth Silva Jake G. Slader

Madison M. Smith

Stephanie C. Sodano

Nicholas Sokolowski

Devin N. Sonnylal

Casey R. Souders

Vincent Spagnuolo

Natalie A. Spina

Jessica Stack

Fallyn J. Stoeckel

Kaleigh E. Suarez

Anas M. Syed

Julio H. Takemoto

James D. Talledo

Frank M. Tamburino

Karen Rachell Tantalean

Evangelia-Eleni Theodoulidou

Leelu T. Torres

Ethan R. Tran

Joseph C. Treglio

Samantha M. Tucholski

Angelique C. Tucker

Alexandra M. Twomey

Timothy J. Twomey

Suzana V. Ulloa

Angel Uribe

Dominick M. Vaccarezza

Marie Valdivia

Jasmine Danaijha Valentin

Jonathan Velez

Sienna V. Villa

Lucciona A. Vocaturo

Ethan Wanko

Caroline A. Warburton

Thomas V. Wassman Jr.

Dylan C. Weaver

Akeem T. Webley

Rebecca R. Wechter

Shyan S. Williams

Jordan M. Willis

Justin M. Wrege

Benjamin A. Wuebben

Dorian G. Wylde

Karam H. Youssef

Jude R. Yurcich

Luke J. Yurcich

Natali Zaalishvili

Patrick Zaleski

Angel R. Zapata

Eugenia M. Zisis

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Above, from left, are Edward Kaminski, Cole Peluso, Shane Castillo and Daniel Reyes III.

Valedictorian encourages peers to find solutions

(Continued from Page 1)

around it. As we look toward what is to come, whether it be college, trade school, a career or the military, we will face issues and struggle to keep on a straight path.

“Class of 2022, it is now time that we step into our bright future” he continued.

“We are equipped for what is to come, and the perseverance that defines this class will empower us to find our dreams. I want to end with one memorable quote: ‘Do not be discouraged by failure, failure eventually leads to success.’”

The last student speaker was valedictorian Charles J. Hannon, who expressed his belief that he and his peers have all the tools they could ever need to be the best global citizens.

“The great Yankee catcher Yogi Berra once said, ‘When you come to a fork in the road, take it.’ This message from me is a challenge to each and every one of us to trust our instincts,” he said. “There is so much pressure that we can feel and put on ourselves, but really it is better to embrace the pressure and turn it into positive deci-

sions. When approaching a problem, like Yogi said, grab at a solution. As we move forward, we will have many fork-in-theroad moments.

“In life, mistakes are inevitable, but let those mistakes be for trying something new and leaving your comfort zone — not for being static and never risking anything,” he continued. “Possibilities are endless and must be explored. You cannot be passive; you must meet the future with excitement and passion. Patience in times ahead combined with the ability to grab at

opportunities provided for us will allow us to be great and embrace life with all it has to offer. When all is said and done, we don’t necessarily have to change the world, but we must do our part to make the communities we live in better places.”

Principal Denis Williams advised students to remain hopeful after they leave Nutley High School.

“Hopefulness is hard earned. It makes demands upon us,” Williams said, explaining that loving and redemptive

Glazer tells graduates to be agents of

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acts preserve hope. “By being hopeful you say to the world that its inhabitants have value and are worth defending. You say to the world, the world is worth believing in. So I ask all of you to be hopeful and see the value in all things each and every day you’re on this planet.”

William also asked that the students never forget where they grew into young adults: “I ask that you remember this town, this place, this Nutley, a community

of caring and support. You remember all it gave you and remember to give back wherever you end up.”

Outgoing Superintendent of Schools

Julie Glazer told the graduates: “Just being willing isn’t enough; we also have to do. You don’t need a title to lead — you lead where you stand — and if you can make being involved in the community part of the journey, then the destination is significantly more rewarding, culturally, spiritually and financially. We’ve empowered

you, our present and future leaders, with the resources to become change agents, our builders of community, the ones who take down walls and build bridges. You each have the ability to do that.”

Board of Education President Daniel A. Carnicella was the last speaker before students received their diplomas. He reminded students: once a raider, always a raider.

“You have the ability to change the world. Don’t ever forget that,” he said.

Senior Class President Garv Goswami speaks.

Photos by Steve Ellmore