Cranford Life- September 2022

CRANFORDLIFE UNIONNEWSDAILY.COM

‘Grease’ is the word

— See Page 2

UCC javelin thrower wins

— See Page 3

Golf outing raises $180K

— See Page 16

JULY 2022

VOL. 06 NO. 10

Cranford HS graduates its Class of 2022

By Destiny D. Rose Staff Writer The members of Cranford High School’s Class of 2022 were awarded their diplomas on Wednesday, June 22, at 7 p.m., with Scott Rubin, Cranford’s superintendent of schools, doing the honors.

Given the weather — cold, rainy, windy — the CHS administration decided to start the evening with the awarding of diplomas, rather than with the speeches that would have traditionally begun the festivities. Two hundred and eighty students graduated on Memorial Field in Cranford.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, led

by Michael DeSimone and Rebecca Romito, treasurer and secretary of the Class of 2022 respectively, the national anthem was sung by the Cranford High School Concert Choir.

Then Matthew Zatorsky, president of the Class of 2022, spoke. He highlighted the strength of character of the students and the community in their efforts to push forward through these unprecedented times. The Class of 2022, he said, spent approximately half of their high school careers either wearing masks or learning remotely. He said, though, that, while they may have been miles apart on Google or 6 feet apart in classrooms, they were always close together in heart and mind, and they always found a way to celebrate one another’s accomplishments.

“Class of 2022, don’t stop believing in yourself and your Cranford family. I know they didn’t stop believing in you. Hold onto the feeling that this Cranford graduation ceremony gives you, this feeling it’ll give you the strength to keep going.

Streetlights, people have been by your side; remember the familiar streetlights of Cranford as a way to guide you home. …

Class of 2022, I’d like to quote American rock band Journey and leave you with this: ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.’ We have come so far so incredibly fast, and Cranford High will forever remain a part of us. Once a cougar, always a cougar, I wish each of you the very best that life has to offer.”

Photo by Steve Ellmore

Matthew Zatorsky, president of Cranford High School’s Class of 2022, praises his classmates for their strength and tells them: ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.’

Salutatorian Sophia Pan recalled a freshman biology class in which she knew the answer to a question but, due to anxiety, didn’t raise her hand to answer. She credited CHS’ faculty and students with allowing her to find the confidence to be standing before them all now.

“We have all grown over the past four years, even if we may not realize it,” said Pan. “I entered the doors of Cranford High School as a frazzled and scared 13year-old with low self-esteem and a lot of acne. And now I’m leaving still very frazzled, but with so much more confidence in myself and my capabilities, and slightly less acne.”

She added that Cranford taught her —

taught all of them: “To quote Barbie (movies), ‘You’re braver than you think,’ and ‘You never know what you can do unless you try.’ Even when your doubt and insecurities get the better of you, you will persevere past that, because even if you aren’t where you want to be right now, you will get there. We never stop growing and becoming a better version of ourselves, and it is because of these moments that we push ourselves to rise above those lingering doubts and insecurities to do better and be better, that we become who we need to be.”

Pan ended her speech by saying, “These past four years will be remembered by the See DESPITE, Page 4

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2 — July 2022 — Cranford Life

‘Grease’ is the word for one Cranford native

By Patrick Tagerty Staff Writer A Cranford native was recently living his dreams as an actor, appearing in a professional production of the 1971 musical “Grease.”

Garrett Forrestal could be seen treading the boards at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park in the role of Kenickie Murdoch, the right-hand man to Danny Zuko, the male lead character and leader of the teenage gang the T-birds.

For Forrestal, the role was a return to something familiar, though still exciting.

Forrestal played Kenickie in a production of “Grease” when he was a sophomore in high school, but he said that, this time around, it still felt fresh.

“I guess you could call it a full-circle moment,” Forrestal said in an email to Union County LocalSource. “To me, this is incredibly exciting and fun to be a part of.”

Forrestal said that he brings the support of his friends and family with him to each performance of “Grease.” He added that the talent of the cast and crew, whom he said were a pleasure to work with, created an exciting musical experience.

“It’s hard to express how grateful I am for each of my family and friends that have come to see ‘Grease,’” Forrestal said.

“And every day I perform with this cast, I am blown away by the voices. People love ‘Grease’ for the story, but also for the

Photo Courtesy of Garrett Forrestal

Cranford native Garrett Forrestal starred in the role of Kenickie Murdoch in the professional production of the musical ‘Grease’ at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park. music, and you can’t find a better group of vocalists to sing these classics.”

Andrew DePrisco, artistic director for Axelrod PAC, said he felt similarly and praised Forrestal’s acting ability. He said

the casting for this show needed to be perfect, and Forrestal was the best choice.

“When the Axelrod Performing Arts Center decided to add ‘Grease’ to our schedule, we knew that casting the show with age-appropriate actors would be the biggest challenge,” DePrisco said in an email to LocalSource. “We were thrilled to find a young, triple-threat actor like Garrett to play Kenickie. His natural talents shine like polished chrome in every scene.”

Forrestal, who received his bachelor’s degree in musical theater from the University of Michigan in 2020, has appeared in many stage shows. In college, he acted in a variety of plays and musicals, including “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” “The Pirates of Penzance” and the world premiere of Michael McElroy’s “Sonnets, Soliloquy and Soul.” He also played Daniel Pontipee in a production of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.”

As a child, Forrestal said, he was not very interested in theater — until his older brother began taking singing lessons, and, as younger brothers often do, Forrestal followed along.

“My very reasonable and smart brother now does PR and still sings, but I couldn’t stay away from the theater,” Forrestal said.

Forrestal said it was the spontaneity and electricity of being in a live production that drew him to theater. He enjoys

working with and problem-solving with cast and crew.

“The thing I like most about the stage compared to other mediums is the thrill,” Forrestal said. “Everyone has to work together and exercise incredible amounts of trust, whether it's being thrown in the air, suspended on a platform, or dealing with a vulnerable moment. Things change and flow; you have to just go with the moment and trust the people around you.”

Forrestal also enjoys watching live theater. One of his favorite productions as an audience member was “On the Town,” which saw a Broadway revival in 2014 and is about a trio of sailors on shore leave during World War II. Its music was composed by Broadway legend Leonard Bernstein.

“At the time, it was the largest live orchestra on Broadway,” Forrestal said.

“Hearing any of Leonard Bernstein’s music live with a full orchestra is bound to be an incredible experience.”

With such a love of theater, and with his promising career still in its infancy, Forrestal said he hopes he can keep doing what he loves for as long as he can. Among his many aspirations for the future is landing his dream role, that of Roger in the musical “Rent.”

“I have loved that show since a young age, watching the 10th anniverSee CRANFORD, Page 8

Cranford Life — July 2022 — 3

UCC javelin thrower wins NJCAA national championship Union County College student-athlete Tommy Flanagan, of Clark, is a national champion in javelin. On Friday, May 13, Union’s track-and-field team traveled to Troy, N.Y., to compete in the 2022 National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Track and Field Championship.

To secure the win, Flanagan threw the javelin 56.27 meters. This personalbest throw by Flanagan also broke the school record, which was previously set

by Flanagan himself.

Flanagan, a freshman at Union County College, began throwing javelin to stay active in baseball’s off-season. As he continued to practice and train, he realized his potential and knew that he could become a successful thrower.

This season, Flanagan traveled with the team to Princeton University, where he broke the college’s record for the first time, throwing 55.17 meters. With this, Flanagan said, he gained momentum and felt confident going into the national competition.

As he prepared for his throws at the national competition, Flanagan said, he wasn’t feeling the confidence he had previously.

During the competition, he said to himself, with a nod to the Navy Seals mantra, “We persevere and thrive in adversity.” On his fifth throw, Flanagan did just that, and threw the

record-breaking 56.27-meter throw.

“We are proud of Tommy for winning this NJCAA national championship. He is a prime example of a student taking advantage of all we have to offer here beyond our excellent academics. There is a sport, activity, and club for all interests, and we encourage our students to get involved and engaged on campus,” said Union County College President Margaret M. McMenamin.

Flanagan said he is grateful for the support he has received both on and off the field. UCC’s track coach, Kyle Duggan, and UCC’s athletic trainer, Frank Aiello, are two of Flanagan’s biggest supporters.

Off the field, the Union community gathered in the Victor M. Richel Student Commons to watch Flanagan’s winning throw and cheer him on. When Flanagan found out about that, he got very emotional.

“Tommy is very dedicated to throwing javelin,” said Duggan.

“My hope for next year is that he throws over 200 feet (60.96m) and he brings home that national championship again.”

Flanagan continues to train for his second season at UCC and plans to graduate with an associate’s degree in health science.

For more information on UCC athletics, visit www.unionowls.com/.

Photo Courtesy of Maggie Ortuso

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4 — July 2022 — Cranford Life

Despite weather, graduates are joyful at ceremony (Continued from Page 1) unforgettable experiences that define who we are today and the extraordinary people that have supported us today. To quote Barbie again, ‘It feels good to be a part of something bigger than yourself.’ High school is just one chapter of our lives, and I hope it’s one that you can look back upon with fondness and appreciation for the idiosyncratic experiences that we have shared, because there is infinite beauty in the mundane, there is beauty in change, and, because of that, I know each and every one of you will do brilliant things, because you have made an undeniable difference in this school and each other.”

Pan was followed by the Cranford High School Choir singing “A Psalm of Life,” which was written by CHS senior Asher Shectman for the occasion. They also sang the school alma mater before the final two addresses of the evening.

Valedictorian Abby Bacall highlighted the community effort it took for the students to reach this very moment. “Not everyone has the privilege of living in a town where everyone cares so much, and not everyone has the privilege of attending a school that is so invested in the success and welfare of its students (through) outstanding teachers and staff, dedicated community members, supportive peers (and) loving families,” Bacall said. “We have all been lifted up by those around us, in order to reach a higher standard.

Photo by Steve Ellmore

Valedictorian Abby Bacall highlights the community’s effort on behalf of students, and quotes Alfred, Lord Tennyson, as she tells her classmates ‘To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.’

Let’s take a moment to appreciate all those on whose shoulders we stand.”

She followed by giving congratulations

and applause to her classmates for their own effort in this accomplishment. “No one plays a greater role in your achieve-

ments than you yourself,” Bacall said.

“There is no way to downplay or diminish the amount of effort and grit that we put in every day of our high school careers.

Regardless of how much you studied, how many AP classes you took or how many times you fell asleep during a lecture, it simply wouldn’t be possible to be here today without putting in the work it took to accomplish everything we needed to do. Over the years, we have grown, both as students and individuals, and I think that development is something we should all be proud of.”

Bacall continued, “It’s an annual cliche to say that we are the future, but just because it’s a cliche doesn’t mean it’s not true. Each student here today represents a brick in the path leading to the future.

Each one of us will be integral in getting to that point. There are certainly great challenges ahead, but it is up to us to take charge and make the world into what we want it to be. We have the power to bring about change, to help those around us, to leave our mark, and I am confident that we will do so. There is one final sentiment that I would like to leave us with, one that I believe is particularly meaningful, as we try to make the most of our lives. As the poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, once wrote, ‘To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.’ We will have failures, we will have times when we fall, but we will also have See CRANFORD, Page 10

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6 — July 2022 — Cranford Life

Cougars baseball falls 5-4 in Group 3 championships

By JR Parachini Sports Editor Seeking a sixth state title and its first since 2013, the Cranford High School baseball team was denied on the field by Middletown High School North in the Group 3 state championship game at Veterans Park in Hamilton on Saturday, June 18. Middletown North won the game, 5-4, in eight innings.

Cranford’s appeal to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association that, by its count, Middletown North starting pitcher Colin Dowlen went past the 110-pitch limit was also denied, on Monday, June 20.

In a story published on NJ.com on Monday, June 20, it was reported that NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire wrote to Cranford Athletic Director Darren Torsone late that afternoon, saying she had “reviewed Cranford’s appeal and supporting documentation, Middletown North’s response, a report from the tournament director and state rules interpreter, and spoke directly with the game’s official pitch counter.”

“Based on my investigation,” Maguire said, “I have concluded that the result on the field must stand. I do not make this decision lightly. The baseball pitch-count rules are designed to protect the health and safety of studentathletes. Those rules include procedures to make sure that pitch counts are accurate, and that both teams have input throughout the game to ensure that accuracy.”

Maguire ultimately decided that the conclusion on the field of play stood because, despite acknowledging the official pitch counter’s error and that the Middletown North pitcher had exceeded the limit, Middletown North coach Ryan McCabe checked in with the official pitch counter every half-inning and Cranford coach Dennis McCaffery did not.

Cranford relied instead on a scoreboard display —

Middletown North pitcher Colin Dowlen’s pitching statistics went past the 110-pitch limit in the box scores, but the NJSIAA still denied Cranford’s appeal. something Maguire's letter says coaches were warned in a memo on Thursday, June 16, not to do.

Maguire quoted the content of that memo, saying, “The pitch count on the scoreboard is unofficial, as the operator is in the press box, not seated next to the pitch counter.”

Teams keep their own pitch counts, but, for the four public school state championship games played on

DeMeo Baseball Field on Saturday, June 18, an NJSIAA official also kept a pitch count. The scoreboard also showed the pitch count of both pitchers.

Vincent Smith of Middletown was the NJSIAA official who was supposed to keep a correct pitch count. He did not have anything to do with the pitch count numbers on the scoreboard.

So Middletown North wins its first-ever state title and finishes 21-10, winning its final 12.

Cranford is denied its first state championship in nine years, has a nine-game winning streak come to an end, and closes 25-5.

After Middletown North tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the sixth as the result of an unearned run on a Cranford throwing error, the Cougars had runners on first and second with one out in the top of the seventh but could not score. Cranford senior catcher Lucca Limeira flew out to left and Shea Grady struck out swinging. During the inning, Cranford challenged Dowlen’s pitch count.

The challenge continued before Middletown North came up to bat in the bottom of the seventh.

Nothing changed.

With one base runner reaching on a walk, Cranford starting pitcher Will Gallagher managed to hold the Lions scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings.

Dowlen retired the first batter he faced in the eighth and was then done given the 110-pitch count rule, although Cranford had him finishing with 121. Exactly how many pitches Dowlen threw was clearly up for debate, as it was disclosed that there was a 10-pitch disparity going back to the first inning. Smith, the NJSIAA official, apparently had Dowlen down for only nine See DESPITE, Page 7

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Cranford Life — July 2022 — 7

Despite protest, NJSIAA rules in Middletown North’s favor (Continued from Page 6) pitches thrown in the first inning instead of the 19 he actually threw.

Cranford head coach Dennis McCaffery went back and watched the game on film on Saturday, June 18, and came to the conclusion that Dowlen should have been taken out in the seventh, which was when he really reached the 110 limit.

The NJSIAA rules state that if a team uses a pitcher past the 110 limit, then that team must forfeit the game.

The NJSIAA adopted this pitch rule several years ago because certain coaches just kept letting pitchers pitch until they risked injuring themselves through exhaustion and overpitching.

As far as the game goes, Cranford was four outs away from capturing its fifth Group 3 state title and first since 2013.

Errors proved costly, however, and Middletown North, coming off its first sectional state championship in 33 years, took advantage.

The Lions pushed across the tying run in the sixth and the winning run in the eighth — both unearned and with two outs — to defeat the Cougars.

As a result, Middletown North captured its first state championship in only its second appearance in a group final. The Lions lost in the 1983 Group 4 state championship game to Elizabeth High School.

Cranford repeated as the Union County Conference’s outright Watchung Division champion at 10-2, captured the Union County Tournament crown for the first time since 2015 and then won North 2, Group 3 for the first time since 2017.

Both starting pitchers drove in runs.

Both teams had players hit solo home runs.

Both teams scored runs on wild pitches.

‘Based on my investigation, I have concluded that the result on the field must stand. I do not make this decision lightly.

The baseball pitch-count rules are designed to protect the health and safety of student-athletes. Those rules include procedures to make sure that pitch counts are accurate, and that both teams have input throughout the game to ensure that accuracy.’

— NJSIAA Executive Director Colleen Maguire Matt Adamson, in relief, was the game’s winning pitcher, while Gallagher took the loss for Cranford.

Cranford scored first when senior right fielder Shane VanDam slugged a solo home run over the left field fence with two outs in the top of the first.

Middletown North came right back with two runs in the bottom of the first. Dowlen hit a smash just past Cranford first baseman Tony Silva for an opposite-field single to right to tie the game at 1-1. Middletown North then took the lead at 2-1 when a runner scored from third on a wild pitch.

Cranford tied the game in the top of the second on a sacrifice-fly RBI to left field hit by Ryan Jaros. Leadoff batter Jake Carter scored. Carter led off the inning with the game's first walk and then stole second and moved to third on a throwing error.

Cranford had the leadoff batter on in the first three innings. The Cougars had first and second and nobody out in the second and didn't score and had a runner on second with one out in the third and did not score again in the inning after tying the game.

OPEN 7 DAYS

Gallagher gave up two runs before getting his first out but then settled down. He retired the side in order for the first time in the third.

Dowlen then retired the side in order for the first time in the fourth.

Middletown North took the lead for the second time in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and nobody on. Gallagher retired seven in a row before senior designated hitter Andrew Lombardi blasted a solo home run over the center field fence to make it 3-2 Lions.

Cranford had runners on first and second with one out and Jaros and VanDam up in the fifth but did not score. Jaros flew out to right and VanDam flew out to center.

Gallagher set down the side in order for the second time in the fifth, throwing only 60 pitches through five innings.

Limeira led off the top of the sixth with a walk, the second issued by Dowlen. The Cougars could not move Limeira, however, as Grady’s attempted sacrifice bunt See PROTEST, Page 9

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Some of the cast members of ‘Grease’ sing one of the musical’s many popular songs, ‘Greased Lightning,’ during the production of ‘Grease’ at Axelrod Performing Arts Center in Deal Park.

Cranford actor treads the boards in ‘Grease’ (Continued from Page 2) sary recording on YouTube,” Forrestal said. “Playing that role would definitely be a dream. I used to sneak around on school nights and watch that production until the early morning hours, sacrificing a lot of sleep and maybe even some of the quality of my homework. I think it was well worth it.”

Beyond that, Forrestal said he wants to

continue to diversify his career. Working in theater is important to him, but if other projects in other mediums speak to him, he said he would absolutely pursue them.

“I hope to be able to continue working in the arts and support myself, but I do hope to explore more film and television,” Forrestal said. “I also would love to be a part of new works and help develop fresh material.”

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Cranford Life — July 2022 — 9

Protest that pitcher went past 110-pitch limit proves too late (Continued from Page 7) was hit too hard back to Dowlen, who started a 1-6-3 double play.

Dowlen then walked Silva to reach 88 pitches. Designated hitter Jack Conley then beat a throw to first by the Middletown North third baseman on a bang-bang call that could have gone either way.

The safe call by the first base umpire proved huge, as Gallagher followed with an RBI single to left center that tied the game at 3-3. Cranford took its second lead and first since it led 1-0 in the first inning on a wild pitch that scored Conley from third to put the Cougars back in front 4-3.

Again, Middletown North immediately came back to tie the game. With two outs and nobody on, Gallagher hit a batter for the second time, and then the next batter reached base on a throwing error by Jaros.

Lombardi followed with his second hit, an RBI single past Jaros at third base and down the left field line, to tie the score at 4-4. Gallagher then retired the next batter on a pop-up to second.

Before Gallagher hit the batter, he had retired 12 of the previous 13 batters he faced.

Dowlen pitched 7 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on 10 hits. The Seton Hall–bound pitcher struck out four and walked four.

Adamson came in from center field, and the left hander closed the inning scoreless, getting the final two outs after hitting a batter.

Dowlen led off the eighth with an infield hit off Gallagher's glove, and then Michael Weinbel produced a hit off the glove of Jaros to put runners on first and second with nobody out. That was it for Gallagher, who went seven innings plus two batters, giving up five runs on seven hits, while striking out three, walking one and hitting two batters.

Right-hander Sean Woodruff took the mound and got Zachary Hampton to fly out to deep center, with Dowlen tagging up and going to third. Lombardi was then intentionally walked to load the bases.

On a 2-2 pitch, Jason Quardt hit a ball right back to Woodruff, who threw home for the first out of what Cranford was attempting to be an inning-ending double play.

Unfortunately for the Cougars, it didn't work out, as Dowlen came home to score on a game-ending error.

Notes: Carter had three hits for Cranford, VanDam two, and Conley, Silva and Grady had one each.

VanDam with his home run, Jaros with his sacrifice fly and Gallagher with his single drove in runs for the Cougars. Cranford’s other run came on a wild pitch.

In Cranford’s previous Group 3 final, the Cougars lost to Allentown High School 5-1 in eight innings at Toms River High School South in 2017. That was the last year the state championship games were played at the three high school fields in Toms River.

This was the first time Cranford played in a state championship game at Veterans Park in Hamilton. The NJSIAA moved the state championship games to Hamilton in 2018.

2022 Cranford Cougars • April 1: Cranford 15, Summit 5, home.

• April 4: Cranford 8, Jonathan Dayton 4, away.

• April 5: Cranford 7, Scotch Plains–Fanwood 2, home.

• April 8: Cranford 4, Westfield 3, home.

• April 11: Cranford 6, Arthur L. Johnson 2, home.

• April 12: New Providence 9, Cranford 3, away.

• April 13: Middletown South 2, Cranford 1, away.

• April 18: Cranford 11, Union Catholic 1, away.

• April 19: Cranford 10, Union 0, home.

• April 22: Cranford 19, South Brunswick 7, Autism Awareness Games at North Brunswick, neutral.

• April 24: James J. Ferris 4, Cranford 2, at Weehawken, neutral.

• April 26: Cranford 9, Governor Livingston 4, away.

• April 28: Cranford 17, Scotch Plains–Fanwood 5, away.

• April 29: Cranford 17, Westfield 5, away.

• May 3: Cranford 6, Arthur L. Johnson 5, away.

• May 5: Cranford 13, New Providence 3, home.

• May 9: Cranford 19, Union 6, away.

• May 10: Cranford 5, Bayonne 2, home.

• May 14: No. 1 Cranford 10, No. 17 Rahway 0, UCT first round, home.

• May 17: Governor Livingston 10, Cranford 7, home.

• May 18: No. 1 Cranford 4, No. 9 Summit 2, UCT quarterfinals, home.

• May 21: No. 1 Cranford 10, No. 4 Westfield 1, UCT semifinals at Kean, neutral.

• May 23: No. 1 Cranford 12, No. 11 Jonathan Dayton 2, UCT final at Kean, neutral.

• May 26: Cranford 13, Notre Dame 4, home.

• June 1: No. 3 Cranford 11, No. 14 Rahway 0, N2G3 first round, home.

• June 4: No. 3 Cranford 5, No. 6 Mendham 1, N2G3 quarterfinals, home.

• June : No. 3 Cranford 12, No. 2 James J. Ferris 1, N2G3 semifinals, away.

• June 10: No. 3 Cranford 10, No. 1 Millburn 8, N2G3 final, away.

• June 13: Cranford 12, Ramapo 1, Group 3 semifinals, home.

• June 18: Middletown North 5, Cranford 4 (8 innings), Group 3 final at Veterans Park, Hamilton, neutral.

Record: 25-5; home: 13-1; away: 9-2; neutral: 3-2.

UCC-Watchung Division: 10-2, repeat outright champs.

Runs for: 282. Runs against: 104. Shutouts: 3.

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10 — July 2022 — Cranford Life

Cranford’s Class of 2022 celebrates its graduation (Continued from Page 4) great victories, times when our passion and joy feel like the most powerful forces in the world. We must strive for greatness, seek happiness, find our purpose, and, above all, never yield to whatever stands between us and our dreams, never give up. Class of 2022, I urge you to live your lives to the fullest and to make the most of the opportunities we have been given.

Congratulations!”

The festivities concluded with the principal of Cranford High School, Mark Cantagallo, sharing this: “Before you leave here tonight, students, you can understand that your path is your own creation, and it is remarkable. It’s not going to be easy, but you are definitely tough enough, you amazing individuals. You have all the skills that you need. You should carry away from this field with every bit of confidence that you could ever hope for.”

He added, “Seniors, there’s been a lot of thank-you’s tonight, but the most important one is to your parents. As young adults, you may not realize or grasp the gravity of their commitment to you. It’s understandable at this age that you may not recognize it, but one day you are going to realize all of the things they have done, how many times they have put themselves last so that you may be first. I ask you that, if you’re not standing next to them when you realize that, seek them out, look them in the eye and say, ‘Thank you,’ hug them close, and let them know that you get it and you are grateful for them.”

Photos by Steve Ellmore

During her address, salutatorian Sophia Pan recalls how much she has changed since freshman year, telling her fellow graduates that they will never stop growing and becoming a better version of themselves.

Above left, holding their mortarboards at Cranford High School’s graduation are, from left, Niah Murphy, Emily Martins, Patricia Colombo, Devyn

Khouri and Allison Schubert. Above right, posing together at graduation are, from left, Lucca Limeira, Ethan Sachs, Justin Lotito and Quinn Louie.

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Cranford Life — July 2022 — 11

Cranford High School graduates its Class of 2022 Daniel Robert Abrahamsen Aleks Paul Afonso-Rodas Anthony Michael Alexo Jakob Andrew Alexo Jasmine Raeka Alvarez Mia Raena Alvarez Carina Ines Gouveia Amaral Kelly Elisabeth Anderson Anthony Joseph Andrews Catherine Elizabeth Anton Kayla Preston Arch Andrew George Ashinoff Gavin Thayer Avella Abby Dove Bacall Lianna Barra Serena Barra Linnea Faith Battiloro Anthony Bayate Nicholas G. Beach Victoria Taylor Beato Viviana Sandra Beckford Matteo Augustav Beltran Christopher Steven Blevins Sofia Natalya Bongiovanni Joseph Christopher Bovasso Monika Anna Brenko Logan John Bridgman Michael Thomas Brodbeck Samantha Marie Brunton

Photo by Steve Ellmore

Anasia Loretta Bryant Megan Rose Bryson Kate Sparrow Budsock

Brooke Elizabeth Burke Madison Ashley Bush Matthew Hunter Bush

Hunter Chase Carney Allison Antonia Castillo Emily Rose Cavanna Ava Cianciulli Abigail Maria Cisneros Alyssa Emily Cisneros Maeve Rose Coakley Erin Siobhan Coates Marco Angelo Coccaro Taliyah Antoinette Coffee Bryan Richard Cohen Casey Elizabeth Cole Patricia Andrea Colombo Alyssa Faith Colombrita Alejandro Gabriel Colon Jack T. Conley Daniel Michael Connolly Paige Victoria Conrad Anna Kathryn Constable Savannah Nancy Faith Conway Dylan Francis Costello Quajanai Diana Couto Matthew Ryan Coyne Bailey Ann Croft Miranda Curanovic Andrew Logan Curren Tara Chumacog Dait Jake Ross D’Amico See CLASS, Page 12

CLASS OF 2022 s n o i t a l u t a Congr CRANFORD HIGH SCHOOL

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12 — July 2022 — Cranford Life

Class of 2022 says farewell to Cranford High School (Continued from Page 11) Dominic Blake Del Monico Nicholas E. Delmour Shauna Caitlyn Demcher Lara Sophie Demetrio Samuel Vitalijus Derasmo Michael James Desimone Jordan Delphine Dillon Laura Elizabeth Dilts William DiRusso Seth Lawrence Epstein Audrey Elizabeth Esteves Megan Katherine Fahy Mackenzie Claire Ferns Michael Anthony Fetsko Michelle Moreno Figueiredo Angelo Gerard Fiorenza Lauryn Grace Fletcher Liam Robert Flynn Nathaniel York Fossella Kaitlin Mae Frees-Kroboth Matthew Dean Fries Sean Michael Gallagher William Thompson Gallagher James Richard Ganley Patrick Michael Ganley Antonio Ramon Garcia Logan Jeffrey Gard Tammi Alexa Georgallis Loukas Kyriacos Georgiou Hailey Elizabeth Gesslein Kaella Giraldo Olivia Paige Goff Vincent Patrick Gotts Martin Grell Geoffrey Donald Gretta Emma Flyn Gropack Brian Michael Guarino Catarina João Guimaraes Marianah Elena Guzman Robles Tess Genevieve Hagstrom Zoe Ashley Hamilton Zion Chase Hammond Isabella Mary Harley Holly Kristin Heesters Sidney Elizabeth Hendrzak Theresa Shea Hickey Kyle Higgins William Harry Hoffman Poppy Isabel Holmes-Mitchell Connor Timmothy Howard Peter Matthew Hrycak Ariel Chuanmong Hsu Amelia Paige Hunt Catherine Maeve Iacovano Jake Ryan Icklan Emma Carmella Ingraham Robert John Janish Shane Brian Jarosz William Charles Johnson Ryan Tanner Jones Sophia Marie Joseph Bridget Caroline Kachoogian Catherine Wanda Kadziela Grace Marie Kallensee Ryan Patrick Katz Michael Andrew Kawczynski Devyn Joelyn Khouri See CONGRATULATIONS, Page 13

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Cranford Life — July 2022 — 13

Congratulations to Cranford High’s newest alumni Alexa Rose Lang Ethan Thomas Lanier Jackson Thomas Larrabee Arelys Lazo Rory Elizabeth Lee Carly Rose Lefkowitz Nicholas Joseph Leonardis Sydney Rose Levinson Pablo Leyva Jacob Ryan Lies Isabella Rose Lijoi Michelle Theresa Liloia Lucca Alvaro Limeira Sofia Noelle Little

(Continued from Page 12) Stephen Joseph Kisly Ethan Thomas Klein Coby Shaun Klinger Cassidy Makayla Knight Jalia Elizabeth Knowles Riley Ann Korzeneski James Jeffrey Kosty Alexander Maxwell Kozak Christopher Patrick Kube Liam James Kwiatkowski Anthony Philip Lacorazza Ava Laferrera Bailey Sadie Landsman

Justin Louis Lotito Quinn Julian Louie Katherine Halpin Lynskey Patrick MacNab Ariadne Miranda Mahadeo Owen Patrick Maher Kylie Maria Malko Zachary Raymond Manhardt Fiona Jacqlyn Mann Kaitlyn Taylor Manning Andrew Steven Marinucci Jaeliah Iraida Martinez Vanessa Lucia Martinez Emily Ann Martins

Rachel Ann Mazur James Thomas McCaffery Grace Anne McCarthy Matthew Burton McCarthy Ronan Harcsar McCoid Bryce Joseph Medard Gianna Grace Melise Zara Pereira Mendes Mckenzie Brooke Belle Meyers Elaina Denise Michetti Alexa Rae Michie Paul John Midura Ines Soares Miguel See CHS, Page 14

CLASS OF 2022 s n o i t a l u t Congra CRANFORD HIGH SCHOOL Congratulations Graduates

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14 — July 2022 — Cranford Life

CHS graduates honored for their accomplishments (Continued from Page 13) Victoria Marie Milonas Andres Miller Montealegre Jessica Rose Mooney Caroline Elizabeth Morris Bryan Anthony Munoz Niah Katherine Murphy Colin Blair Murray Ryan Edwards Nicholas Daniel Lyons Nigro Malina Sofia Nunez Ethan Riley O’Dell Liam James O’Donnell Natalia Anna Onisko Jordan Paige Padovano Sophia Yu Jing Pan Ryan Montana Paneri Nina Sandy Papapietro Elliot Harrison Parker Keely Rose Patterson Conner Scott Patton Carol Irene Paul Gabriella Louise Pecoraro Mark Lawrence Peselli Kurt Douglas Geir Petschow Lawrence David Phanor Krystian Pokrywka Melissa Pokrywka Ian Christopher Polglaze Alexander Michael Politano Sofia Corinne Pollack Kelsey Elisabeth Quinones Julia Lillie Ramsay Brian Charles Readie Samantha Anne Reeves David James Rodelo Tiffany Marbely Rodriguez Marcus Rojo William Reece Rokicki Rebecca Vitale Romito Clare Alexandra Roussey Lukas Bennett Ruby See CRANFORD, Page 15

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Cranford Life — July 2022 — 15

Cranford Class of 2022 says farewell to alma mater (Continued from Page 14) Melanie Ann Ruela Kevin Michael Ruple Evelina Victoria Ruskulis Conor Joseph Ryan Ethan Carter Sachs Kevin Philip Saginario Emily Marie Santulli Hanna Paige Sarah Allison Mae Schubert Joshua Paul Schwartz Savannah Eliza Seda Asher Felix Shectman Marcus Leshawn Olumide Shillingford

Kevin Robert Shriner Antonio Vaj Silva Damian Matthew Smykowski Janey Claire Snover Emily Rose Sormillon Max Richard Spinner Nicholas John Swandrak Jack Thomas Sweeney Rachel Szerene Sweet Jake Yoshio Tadros Olivia Marie Tardibuono Kate Terry Ava Kathleen Tessitore Ava Ruth Thompson

Sierra Rose Thorn Ayiana Nevaeh Tines Jeffrey Scott Toth William Angus Triner Christian James Trotter Connor Louis Tuite Gabriella Marie Urso Adrian Carlos Valdes Shane Van Dam Gianna Marie Vella-Dennis Ashley Marie Villano Ryan August Walsh Ronan Charles Waters Bridget Marion Webb

Alexander Joseph Wetherell Kathryn Emma Wheatley Oliwia Wilczynski Lia Antoinetta Williams Caroline Rose Willis Olivia Rose Wolfe Julia Grace Young Mark William Zaidel Megan Ann Zalinkanskas James Patrick Zambito Angela Rose Zarrelli Priscilla Marie Zarrelli Erin Faith Zarzecki Matthew Robert Zatorsky

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UCC annual golf outing raises more than $180,000 for students The Union County College Foundation scored a perfect round at its 30th annual golf outing on Monday, April 25, at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club in Bedminster. Nearly 200 golfers hit the green, raising more than $180,000 to support UCC students.

Throughout the day, golfers were treated to White Claw beverages at sampling stations. Both White Claw and Verizon were key sponsors, and their support, along with the support of many participants, was pivotal to the success of the event.

Following the day on the green, the event concluded with dinner. During dinner, Union student Sybel Francois gave a speech on how the foundation has helped him as an international student. “Certainly, it has not been an easy journey so far. I have struggled financially to support my academic dreams in this country. But through your support and thanks to the scholarships that I have received from the Union County College

Foundation, I am able to meet these enormous challenges and truly believe that I will reach my fullest potential. The foundation helped me find the resources I need to succeed, graduate, develop my leadership skills and build my network,” said Francois. He said he plans on transferring to Claremont McKenna College in California after graduation.

Also at the dinner, Douglas Rouse, executive director of the foundation, thanked everyone for attending the event.

“Thanks to the generous support, we are able to provide critical funding to our students. These donations make the difference for a student to be able to continue their education and graduate,” said Rouse.

For additional information about the foundation’s events or to support the foundation, contact Rouse at douglas.rouse@ ucc.edu or 908-709-7505.

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