Union Leader - June 2022

UNIONLEADER UNIONNEWSDAILY.COM

Teen sets world record

— See Page 2

Famed Union native dies

— See Page 3

Donations for Ukraine

— See Page 4

JULY 2022

VOL. 07 NO. 05

UHS graduates the Class of 2022

By Amanda Valentovic Staff Writer A boisterous crowd gathered at Union High School’s football field for its 140th commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 25, braving the 90-degree weather to celebrate the graduating Class of 2022.

Sitting on the field, seniors became alumni after listening to speeches from Principal Mark Hoyt, Board of Education President Mary Lynn Williams, Superintendent Scott Taylor, salutatorian Pedro Torres and co-valedictorians Pooja Danak and Winifred Oyem.

“This has most definitely been a stressful year for all of us — a stressful few years, honestly,” Hoyt said to open the ceremony. “Each of you has changed significantly over the past four years. You’ve not only changed physically, but also academically, socially and emotionally. While change is rarely easy for us, it is a necessary and inevitable part of life. I want to encourage you to take the lessons you have learned during your time in Union schools and use those lessons to handle changes in your life with the same tenacity you’ve shown the last four years.”

Williams said she was planning to open her speech with a joke, but her youngest son, who graduated from UHS in 2019, told her that no one in the Class of 2022 would think she was funny. Instead, Williams said she was intimidated looking out at the graduating seniors.

“The energy you exude, the potential you possess; you’re bright, talented, focused and ambitious, and despite the ups and downs and unexpected circumstances you’ve been faced with, your strength and perseverance has been nothing but remarkable,” she said.

Williams thanked the district’s teachers, staff, community and families as well.

“As young adults beginning this next chapter of the real world, there is an expectation that you have the responsibility of making the world a better place,” she said. “There is an expectation for you to use everything you’ve learned and be examples, advocate for those who have no voice, stand up for what you believe in and always be kind and empathetic, and never be a bystander for injustice. When you become old and unfunny, listen to your children. Trust me, they’re going to be much smarter than you.”

Torres did open with a joke, saying that he knew no one wanted to listen to the school’s “three biggest nerds talk for 30 minutes,” and

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Above left, Pooja Danak, one of two co-valedictorians with identical weighted grade-point averages of 5.19, congratulates her fellow graduates for their accomplishments at Union High School’s 140th commencement on Saturday, June 25, at the UHS football field. Above right, Winifred Oyem, the other co-valedictorian, tells her classmates she believes in them and what they will accomplish. Below, from left, graduates Kayell Bonner-Boleware, Louikenzy Jules, Rodney Marcellus, Najee Pinckey and Nazir Pressley stand together at the high school football field.

kept his speech as short as he could.

“This has been a chaotic four years,” Torres said. “It seems that everything that could have gone wrong, went wrong.

But ultimately, despite COVID, an inconsistent administration, constant lockdowns and a lack of bathrooms, we still

managed to graduate. And boy, is that a feat to conquer.”

He commented that perhaps UHS doesn’t have the most united student body, and that some students maybe wished they had gone to a different See GRADUATES, Page 14

2 — July 2022 — Union Leader

Union teen does the heavy lifting to a world record

By Patrick Tagerty Staff Writer A Union resident and high school freshman athlete achieved a world-record dead lift in competition last month, shattering previous record holders with a lift of 500 pounds.

Erio Spear, 14, competed at the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate’s Jersey Rumble in Newark on Saturday, May 14, where he outperformed the competition in his age class of 14 to 15 years old and his weight class of 198 pounds, breaking U.S. and world records. He did so in just three lifts, with his third and final breaking the world record for a 14-year-old.

Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate provides powerlifting competitors “an environment in which they may compete at their highest level … in the presence of qualified referees,” according to the organization’s website. It hosts hundreds of competitions annually, offering a variety of weightlifting events.

At such a young age, Erio has had little experience in competition; 14 is the youngest age group allowed to compete in RPS competitions. Jersey Rumble was the first meet in which he ever competed, but he said he did not let pressure affect his performance.

“You don’t see anything else when you’re on the platform lifting,” Erio said in a press release. “I was zoned in on doing everything I was training for and

Photo Courtesy of Evolution-PR

Erio Spear sets the world record in his age group for the dead lift at the Revolution Powerlifting Syndicate’s Jersey Rumble in Newark on Saturday, May 14. didn’t think about anything else.”

Erio began weight training at age 12 and powerlifting training at 13. He follows the example of his father, David Spear, described in the press release as a former fitness model and competitive arm wrestler. He said he knew his son was strong from a young age.

“He just had this crazy strength. Even at 8 or 10 years old, he was lifting heavy weights at the gym,” David Spear said.

“He developed that love of powerlifting very early on.”

When describing his son’s early years at the gym, Erio’s father said his son would “rack,” or max out, machines that

full-grown adults, including himself, couldn’t. Given such natural power, the elder Spear said, it was only a matter of time before his son could start weightlifting professionally.

David Spear was with Erio at the competition on the day of his record-breaking lift. He said his son was calm and collected, and, when it came time to perform, Erio exhibited more strength than he had ever seen from him.

“He just walked up and lifted the bar like a feather,” David Spear said. “I’m stunned at his strength.”

Erio’s father said this was just the first of many competition wins to come for Erio, who, at such an early point in his career, has the potential to break several more records. Following his win at Jersey Rumble, Erio was approached by several other powerlifting organizations to participate at their upcoming meets, with the hopes that he can put on another recordbreaking performance.

One might expect Erio’s workout and diet regimens to be overly strict, in order to achieve such strength, but the opposite is true. According to his father, Erio doesn’t follow any set diet plan or impose any restrictions on himself. He eats clean — and has lots of protein — and is always in the gym, not because he has to be, but simply because he says he enjoys it.

The younger Spear described himself See UNION, Page 6

Union Leader — July 2022 — 3

Famed actor and Union native Ray Liotta, dead at 67

By David Jablonski and David VanDeventer Ray Liotta, who grew up in Union and graduated in Union High School’s Class of 1973 before finding success in Hollywood as an actor in movies as varied as “Field of Dreams,” “Goodfellas” and “Identity,” has died at the age of 67. According to early reports, Liotta went to bed on Wednesday, May 25, in a hotel room in the Dominican Republic, where he had begun making the movie “Dangerous Waters” two weeks earlier. His publicist said he was found dead the following morning. The cause of death is not yet known. His fiancee, Jacy Nittolo, was reportedly with him at the time of his death.

Born in Newark on Dec. 18, 1954, Liotta was adopted at the age of six months by Mary and Alfred Liotta, who operated an auto parts business. Liotta had a sister, Linda, who was also adopted. As a young child, he knew he was adopted; he did a show-and-tell report on adoption when he was in kindergarten. In the 2000s, he hired a private detective to locate his biological mother and subsequently learned from her that he was mostly of Scottish descent.

“Ray knew he was adopted,” said former Union Mayor Anthony Russo in an interview with Union County LocalSource on Friday, May 27. Before he had found his biological mother, “He said he intended to find (her),” Russo continued. “Several months later, there was a story in Parade magazine. He found his mother in Newark and his half-brothers and -sister. He said, ‘Thank God I was adopted. Had I not been adopted, I would be pumping gas.’”

“I knew him since he was an infant,” continued Russo. “This boy was a good boy.

He never caused any problems. He never got into any fights. He was always helping people. I thought the world of Raymond. I respected him. He came to me when he graduated from the University of Miami and told me he wanted to be an actor. He brought me his first contract with an agent and had me look at it. I remember one of the first shows was ‘Another World.’ I remember when he went out to Hollywood. Then

File photo

Ray Liotta is pictured at his induction to the New Jersey Hall of Fame on May 7, 2017, in Asbury Park. He was also inducted into the Union High School Hall of Fame. he was in that movie ‘Something Wild.’”

Liotta grew up in a Roman Catholic household in Union. He is in the Union High School Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in May 2017.

“He always remained loyal to his childhood friends,” said Russo. “He had these three or four guys and, every afternoon, they used to play a little baseball game right outside my house. As he matured in life, he remained loyal to those kids. When he was inducted into the NJ Hall of Fame, I went to the event and Gene Laguna spoke about him, and he was one of those guys he grew up with.

And when it was Ray’s turn to accept the award in Asbury Park, he called out names of kids who he went to high school with and they were in the audience. He never forgot them.”

Liotta’s marriage to actress and producer Michelle Grace ended in divorce. They had one child, daughter Karsen Liotta.

“And he raised his daughter … after they were divorced,” said Russo.

“About 10 years ago, he came back to Union and he wanted his daughter to see

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his childhood home he grew up in and he rang our doorbell,” he said. “He took her to the high school, downtown; he took her everywhere around Union. He wanted her to know all about Union.”

The former mayor spoke fondly of Liotta.

“When he was a kid, he used to campaign for me when I was running for the Senate,” the former mayor reflected. “When his father was running for office, he campaigned for him. His mother became our township clerk.”

Russo said Liotta had always been the center of attention, even when he was younger.

“He was always helpful and very popular,” he said. “At the end of the day working, I remember I would drive home on Colonia Avenue, around the corner from where he lived, and he’d be walking down the street with four girls. He had such blue eyes. They all loved him. Just a good person, a likable person.”

Russo said Liotta’s path toward stardom was a gradual one, and it began on the East Coast.

“He appeared twice a week for $2,500 an episode in this soap opera in New York, ‘Another World.’ But he wanted to go to Hollywood. I told him he had a good thing going, but he said he wanted to go out there. And he struggled out there for five years. He couldn’t find anything. His father helped him.”

Although he debuted in “The Lonely Lady” in 1983, it wasn’t until three years later that Liotta found success in “Something Wild,” a movie for which he received a Golden Globe Best Supporting Actor nomination. “Field of Dreams” introduced him to a whole new audience in 1989 as famed baseball player Shoeless Joe Johnson, but it was in his very next picture that he left an indelible mark on Hollywood, in what is regarded as one of the greatest movies ever made, Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.”

“A great actor, great person,” Russo repeated, and not for the first time. “When he made ‘Goodfellas,’ … he made the movie in Brooklyn. His mother was sick at the time so he kept driving back to Union every night.

She had terminal cancer, and he wanted to spend as much time with her as possible.”

The former Union mayor said he remembered looking outside one time and seeing Liotta in a pinstripe suit, which was very different from his usual outfits of sweatpants and T-shirts. He asked him why he was all dressed up, and Liotta said he was going to meet Henry Hill, the organized crime figure he was playing in “Goodfellas.” Russo said he later told him that Hill was mean-spirited and vicious, which was how he played him in the movie.

Even as Liotta’s star rose, the former mayor said, he never forgot his friends and neighbors.

“He invited the Russo family and his family to the premiere of his movie ‘Article 99’ in New York City. Eli Wallach was there. Brook Shields was there, and she told me, ‘I love your neighbor,’” he said.

“He felt like he was a member of my family,” added Russo.

Liotta would go on to appear in more than 80 movies, including “Unlawful Entry,” “No Escape,” “Corrina, Corrina,” “Unforgettable,” “Turbulence,” “Hannibal,” “Cop Land,” “Narc,” “John Q,” “Wild Hogs” and “The Many Saints of Newark.” He also appeared on more than 30 different television programs and specials, including “Casablanca,” “The Rat Pack,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Smith,” “Texas Rising,” “The Making of the Mob” and “Shade of Blue.”

An outpouring of grief and fond recollections of Liotta have been sincere, humorous and insightful, recalling Liotta as just one of the guys who never forgot his hometown roots. “Growing Up in Union” Facebook page administrator Adrienne Browne Dempsey, one of Liotta’s former schoolmates, summed it up: “Ray was a year behind me. We weren’t friends, but when I’d come out of dentalassisting class, we’d pass one another in the halls. He sure was easy on the eyes and later a real joy to watch on the big screen.”

Liotta’s death has left the world a sadder place, said Russo.

“His wonderful parents gave him the outstanding character that he demonstrated his entire life. He will be missed. I spoke to him a lot. He was a good person.”

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4 — July 2022 — Union Leader

Efforts continue to collect new donations for Ukrainian refugees

By David Jablonski Managing Editor Since April, when Union businessman Samuel Casternovia and his daughter, Samantha, took to heart the reports of Ukrainian refugees fleeing to Poland with nothing but the clothes on their backs and decided to do something about it, the response from the community has been overwhelming.

“We are about 60 percent toward our goal of filling a 20-foot container,” said Samantha Casternovia in an interview with Union County LocalSource on Friday, May 20. “We have drop-off locations and we also set up a box at the Hannah Caldwell School, where photos were taken on Tuesday, May 10.”

Samantha Casternovia said they never expected such a positive response. Originally, she said she was concerned about who to speak to about donations.

“I actually went back to my old high school, Gill St. Bernard’s School in Chester Township, and they collected a bunch of stuff for me, which was really amazing,” she said.

She needn’t have worried.

“We’ve gotten a lot of mail-in donations directly (from people who ordered items) from Amazon and Target,” Samantha Casternovia continued. “People have heard through word of mouth, plus I posted a lot on social media, and on the highway, we have a couple or signs and one of the signs has the mailing address of the barber shop.”

The effort has been a family affair, she added, and even friends have gotten involved.

“The other day, my mother and I and two of our friends went through all of the donations and sorted them to see where we were,” said Samantha Casternovia.

“We got a lot of blankets, which are very useful, and we have a good array of clothing, all the way from newborn to adult. We did get a lot of heavily used clothing.”

Photo Courtesy of Hannah Caldwell School

Several teachers stand behind a small group of students, all from Hannah Caldwell Elementary School in Union, holding a sign that reads ‘Hannah helps Ukraine.’ In front of them on the floor are bags of new children’s pajamas and other clothing, and teddy bears.

“Things are moving along,” said Samuel Casternovia in a press release on Monday, May 23. “As of today, we have collected enough merchandise to fill about 60 percent of the container. We can still use new children’s and new women’s clothes. Please, they must be new, never used, preferably with tags.”

“I just know it has to be clean and in good condition,” Samantha Casternovia said. “We do need new clothing for customs reasons. … We have to make sure everything is clean and in good condition.”

“I appreciate that those people were trying to help, and I don't want to bash them, but I am really looking for new clothing because of customs,” she added.

“I do not need any more teddy bears,” added Samuel Casternovia. “I was able to

find and buy 800 beautiful new teddy bears, all in plastic bags.”

Meanwhile, Samantha Casternovia said they are trying to fill up the container as fast as they can, recognizing that the church in Poland where they will be sending the clothing and accessories is eagerly awaiting it.

“They’re still waiting for the shipment and we’re getting it together for them as fast as we can,” she said. “We’re working with a great coordinator, a trucking company, and they’re helping us coordinate it with the ship and shipping in Poland. We want to make it as easy as possible.”

“They can’t pick it up in the port,” Samantha Casternovia said of those in need in Poland. “The idea is the trucking company will take it right to the church and unload all of it and the boxes will be

labeled. We went through and sorted it: newborn toddler, child, adult, blankets, towels, toys. …”

“We are shipping the donations to a church in Poland,” said Samuel Casternovia. “A personal friend of mine was able to get firsthand verification of the need and personally vet the priest. So, there is no middleman. Everything will go in the hands of very needy refugees. Shipping to Poland is very difficult with customs and regulations. Five shipping companies refused my daughter Samantha’s request for a container, even if I paid full price.

Then we found help. I called a friend of mine, Greg Lodato, and he called his friends, and not only are they willing to ship, but they are also giving us a discount. This will save me several thousand dollars. Some people go out of their way.”

“We had reached out to people and been able to sort some stuff out,” continued Samantha Casternovia.

She said she and her family have been trying to make it the best kind of presents ever.

“Our goal is really just to get good things there and make it easy for them to receive it,” she said. “That’s why my mother and I decided to label the boxes as neat as we can. We wanted to make it easy.”

She also acknowledges that this has proved a far greater undertaking than she had ever imagined. Fortunately for her, she was going into this relief effort blind.

“I’m lucky that my parents have done things like this before,” said Samantha Casternovia.

Meanwhile, time keeps passing. She remains undeterred, however, even when thinking about how much longer it will take to accomplish their mission.

“Our dream date? We’d like to be done in three weeks,” said Samantha Casternovia. “It’s about filling the container now.”

When she and her mom and dad went See BUSINESS, Page 9

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Union teen sets a world record in powerlifting (Continued from Page 2) as a bit of an anachronism, having little interest in video games or TV, unlike most teens his age. He prefers older music, and, when he isn’t in the gym, he moonlights as a singer-songwriter.

Erio’s old-fashioned thinking is even reflected in how he trains, modeling his powerlifting career after celebrity bodybuilders of the past, such as Steve Reeves and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

One of the gyms Erio frequents, the Diamond Gym in Maplewood, is run by owner John Kemper, whose training has led hundreds of bodybuilders to national contests.

In the last year, Erio began training with Henri Skiba, a fellow powerlifter and owner of Skiba’s Gym in Carteret. Skiba’s Gym is certified by Westside Barbell, “an invitation-only training laboratory where only the strongest of mind and body sur-

vive,” according to its website. Westside’s pedigree of powerlifters is what drew Skiba and Erio together, hoping to foster Erio’s strength.

“I knew from the first time Erio expressed interest in powerlifting, he had natural strength that could be refined for competition,” Skiba said in the press release. “I believe this sport provides great discipline, focus and confidence, particularly for teens, boys and girls alike, especially at a time of mental and physical growth and uncertainty.”

With continued training and growth, Erio said he hopes to dominate at future competitions. At just 14, he surely has a bright future ahead of him in the world of powerlifting.

“Could be the Olympics sometime soon, but I don’t know, we’re taking it one day at a time,” David Spear said. “Erio’s just a bull. I’m proud to be his father.”

Photo Courtesy of Evolution-PR

Trainer Henri Skiba, left, stands next to Erio Spear, who is holding the trophy he was presented by RPS for breaking the world record for the dead lift.

Lopez awarded scholarship Geovanni Lopez, of Union, a student at St. Benedict’s Prep in Newark, earned early admission and a full scholarship to Northwestern University through the QuestBridge National College Match. Lopez was one of four St. Benedict’s seniors awarded match scholarships in a highly competitive

program that offers high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds entree into some of the most selective colleges and universities in the country.

Lopez is a top student at St. Benedict’s and serves as editor-in-chief of The Benedict News.

Duarte joins Exit All State Realty in Union Exit All State Realty, located at 2780 Morris Ave., Unit 1A, in Union, has announced that Nascimento Duarte has joined its team of real estate sales pro-

fessionals. The office is a member of Exit Realty of New Jersey’s network of independently owned and operated brokerages.

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All contents ©2021 Worrall Community Newspapers, Inc. Reproduction of any part of this publication and any republication or broadcast without written permission is prohibited.

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Photo Courtesy of the Casternovias

Union businessman Samuel Casternovia, left, and his daughter, Samantha, stand beside all the boxes of donations they have collected so far in a warehouse near Samuel Casternovia’s business. As soon as they have enough to fill a 20-foot metal container, they are going to ship the donations to a church in Poland, to be distributed to Ukrainian refugees.

Business owners collect goods for Ukrainian refugees in Poland (Continued from Page 4) to Hannah Caldwell Elementary School on Commerce Avenue in Union, they never expected such a turnout, or such generosity. Capturing everyone in a photograph seemed fitting, as it was a truly memorable experience.

“The first photo is of some of the teachers and the interim principal,” said Samantha Casternovia. “The other one is all the students. They got paperwork signed by their parents so that the photo can be sent to a newspaper.”

She continued to praise their generosity.

“I can’t remember if people brought the clothing in or if the teachers just bought it with money that was brought in.

“We have everything in cardboard boxes right now. When we are ready to ship everything, they will send us the big metal container. Once we get the container filled, the shipping company will send us the paperwork we need,” said Samantha Casternovia. “They’ll contact the customs person. We’re all on an email chain together.”

Some want to know why the Casternovias are being so generous, but for Samuel Casternovia, there was never any question. He says he always knew that this was how he had to live his life.

“People dropping off clothing have asked us who is doing this or why are we doing this,” he said. “This and many other projects throughout my life are as much about giving as they are about getting. I have been dealing with cancers and cancer treatments for more than 40 years, and a few times have been written off.

Projects like this keep me going, give me a reason to come back. I feel I am needed; it

gives me life. When I was 22, I read something that has stayed with me every day of my life. … ‘If you want to be rich in life, you must first enrich others.’”

Samuel Casternovia continued, “Several years ago, I was sitting in one of my many doctors’ offices and I said to him, ‘Doc, how come I am still alive? Is it because I exercise religiously, eat whole foods, take supplements?’

He looked at me and said, ‘No, Sam, it is because you are delusional — you think you belong here.”

People can continue to drop off new clothing and pajamas at the Casternovias’ business, Statement Barbershop, 1564 U.S. Route 22 E., Union, or at LL Flooring, also known as Lumber Liquidators, 1603 Route 22 W., Union. The main dropoff point is a warehouse right behind this address; Samantha Casternovia said she has been making special trips to move everything that’s dropped off to the warehouse.

“Anyone who wants to help us can go online to any site, buy some clothing and ship it to my barbershop,” said Samuel Casternovia. “Or they could drop it off.”

Samantha Casternovia also said they are collecting from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends, although people can stop by at any time, and whatever they drop off will be held onto until they are there.

“I have a lot of friends and family from out of state, and they just go online and ship it to the barber shop and I pick it up and bring it to the warehouse, which is just across the street.”

“If anyone has any questions, they can call and leave a message at my office at 908-687-3283,” she added.

10 — July 2022 — Union Leader

Union High School graduates the Class of 2022 Eduardo Abarca-Velasquez Sumayyah Abdullah-Davis Zori Abdus-Salaam Demetrius Aberi Shaina Acceus Nichole Acheampong Ishmael Adams Dillard Adekoya Demilade Adeoti Ugochi Adibemma Darlicia-Michelle Adikibe Maami Adomako Olachi Afonne Nia Agnone Tia Agnone Natalie Aguiar Melissa Alejos Anthony Alexandre Esther Allen Deslie Almonte Arianna Alvarado Amanda Alves Jonathan Alves-Semedo David Alzate Yulianna Amador Kineesha Ampadu Jazshua Andes-Cruz Hunter Andrade Tatiyana Andrews Christopher Andujar Brian Anigbogu Gustavo Araujo Fanny Arbelaez Rodeline Archelus Emily Arias Zan Arshad Kyle Askew Ne’Meh Assi Claudy Auguste Ivana Axt Samantha Ayala Zabiel Ayala Fariha Azaz Sofia Azinheira Justin Baez Adaeze Balogun Sofia Baptista Tmain Barfield Jihan Barnes Khalil Baskerville Evan Battle Jayce Baugh Ivana Beason Timmers Joycelyn Bedele Addis Belcher Julissa Bertot Salomon Betancourt Jared Bethune Arooj Bhatti Briana Biggerson Joyce-Sofia Blake Jessica Anne Blaza Hilda Boakye Daniel Boisrond Kayell Bonner-Boleware Alexander Boulin Kendall Bournes Julius Brinson Caroline Brites Jeremiah Brito Rivas Jared Brody Christian Brooks Aqilah Brown Claudia Brown Genesis Brown Khadir Brown Shamir Brown Lord Brown Parrilla

Kiera Bryant Sophia Buenano Pedro Burbano Hector Burgos Zachary Burgos Sikia Bynoe Giannell Calderon Kyla Caldwell Taesean Cambridge Andrew Cameron Michelle Cancel Julia Canha Christopher Cano Branden Carcache Kamila Cardozo Corrina Cartaya Jayla Carvajal Bianca Carvalho Goncalo Carvalho Luis Mario Castano Gutierrez Kevin Catedral Sophia Cedeno Nicole Chacon Nicole Chamberlin Elijah Chance Pravin Chelliah Nathaniel Cheridan Faith Chukwudinma Olisehemeka Chukwura Wesley Ciceron Spania Cimeus Maxwell Cirasella Taneeya Closs-Yelverton Daisia Clyburn Rundy Isaac Colmenar Tatiana Colmenares Jayde Colon RitaMaria Conforti Julieta Contreras Kyle Conza Ashley Cordero Tony Cornejo Roberto Cortado Ciara Counts Asaad Cross Dylan Cross Anne Carlyle Cruz Lenin Steven Cuesta Sanchez Rylina Cullen Lanna Cunha Michelle Cunningham Ryan D’Addario Rachael D’Haiti Bahndyu Dahnsaw Pooja Danak Christopher Daniel Sydney Darby Daniel DaSilva Leanna DaSilva Luke DaSilva Imani Davis Tejani Davis Taree Dawson Jessica de Brito Khayron Khalttiery De Oliveira Joel De Salguero Alice De Souza Jesus DeLa Torre Rossell Desronvil Marvin Desrosiers Samantha Destine Roosevelt Deves I Jessica Dieuveuille Perry-Vincent Dizon Sebastian Dominique Abidias Dorcent Abygaelle Dorcent Anaise Dormil

Bradley Dornelus Scott Dorsainvil Laila Downing Michael Dube Romart Gavryl Dumaua Nasir Easterling Nneka Eboh Osamudiamen Eboh Liam Edgeworth Tania Edmond Nathaniel Edralin Chidera Egwuonwu Christopher Ejekwu Rita Ejekwu Mmesooma Ejike Favor Ejiofor Nicholas Elker Chiamaka Emelumba Shedrack Emelumba Christie Emilzo Joanne Ero Elvin Espinal Kevin Espinal Aya Essa Al-Tareeq Estinvil Valentina Estupinan Edlyn Eugene Jhamory Eustache Ashley Evans Dana Evans Jackie Evans Alain Exavier Julian Fabregas Leyila Fadael Mariam Fanous Mili Farez Allisha Feaster Alliyah Feaster Jean Felix Claudia Fernandes Angel Fernandez Charleze Fernandez Jerome Fernandez Roxanne Fernandez Jason Ferreira Michael Field Aaron Figueredo Heille Figueredo Devin Fisher Nathan Fleischer Brian Flitsch Jeffrey Fore Christopher Forest Kayvaughn Fort Guy Francis Mackenzie Frazier Correy Freeman Zamir Freeman Carl Fuentes Dionna Gadson Emanuel Galarza Jossuath Galo Parajon Aaron Garcia Andre Garcia Siani Garcia Mykayla Garcon Emely Garro Lopez Caitlin Garry Christopher Garry Madison Gass Rocio Gomez Francia Vallerie Gonzales Eillys Gonzalez Allan Gourdet Michaelle Gourdet Aaron Green Al-Tariq Green Amira Green

Elijah Greene Ericka Guaman Matthew Guillaume Isaiah Guzman Andrew Hamilton Jael Hamilton Kyara Hampton Roydon Hampton Maurice Harrell Ashan Harris Benjamin Harris Dayshawn Harris Norelle Harris Aahmaj Harrison Chloe Hayford Autumn Heaviside Jamel Hector Samantha Heller Andy Hernandez Christian Hernandez Klarissa Hernandez Esteban Hidalgo Joshua Hinds Jamal Hogan Koran Hogan Brandon Howard Sebastian Huari Uculmana Favour Ike-Onyema Sarah Ilori Elijah Jackson Hillary Jara Robles Jonathan Jarvis Nyla Jean Widnia Jean McNeil’s Jean Baptiste Clefson Jean Jacques Kathrina Jean Pierre Tyra Jean-Pierre Brandon Jeanty Kayla Jeffers-Smith Jonathan Jenkins Olatomiwa Jinadu Joshua John Dyshawna Johnson Kai Johnson Malachi Johnson Isaiah Jones James Jones Joshua Jones Paris’Alana Jones Trey-Mckoy Jones Zyanna Jones Lavar Jones Dunn Joakim Joseph Nacheca Joseph Jeusten Jourdain Louikenzy Jules Christopher Kakkalis Danielle Kaminsky Manpreet Kaur Alyssa Keller Michael Kelley Quincy Kelsick David Kema Alexa Kemps Kristodya Koduah Christopher Kploanyi Neha Kunnath Joshua Kwashie Vidhee Lad Xavier Landa Maurice LaRose Joshua Lastimosa Tia Law Anthony Lazogue Sydney Leal Reagan Leavy Chloe Lee-Freeman

Caroline Lehrbaum Shanice Leneus Emmalyne Leone Kyra Lewis Chais Lewis-Rollins Herbens Litus Rodolfo Llerena Jessica Logan Nicole Lopez Josh Ryan Los Banos Milo Louis Valine Louis Victoria Lourenco Angelica Lozano Gisbel Lozano Bardales Simon Maciel James Mackey Julian Mackey Alyssa Magnifico John Magnifico Sydney Mainor Rachel Makinde Nicola Malang Joel Malcolm Tyler Malik-Ismail Namir Mallard Klaudine Manalad John Manalo Paige Mann Rodney Marcellus Adam Mariano Gabriela Martinez Jean Martinez Kaylie Martinez Michael Martinez Erick Martinez Bravo Anthony Martins Christian Paulo Martins Olunfunmilayo Martins Daniel Matos Luis Matos Joshua Matthews Saliyah Matute Kevin Eduardo Matute Peralta Madison McCoy Kailey McDonough Hasson McElroy Patrick McElroy Jules McFarlane Ian McGee Kai McKenzie Ahron McReynolds Bryson Medel Palao Julian Medina Juan Mejias Michelle Mejias Jonathan Mendes Alondra Mendez Desiree Mendez Jennifer Mendez Valentino Merceda Arianna Mesen Steven Messina Bo Metobo Tyler Michael Lucas Mincolelli Samantha Mishoe-Thompson Simone Mishoe-Thompson Jeffrey Mobisa Khayden Moise Asia Moncayo Diego Monge Bryce Moore Mary Morara Gabriel Moscoso Janiyah Moton Olivia Mott

See CLASS, Page 11

Union Leader — July 2022 — 11

Class of 2022 says farewell to Union High School (Continued from Page 10) Amirah Muhammad Inayah Muhammad NiaA’joun Muhammad Zachary Muhlstock Anashia Mulligan Cassie Victoria Munguia Auten Gabriela Munoz Bridget Murphy Isaiah Nash Joel Nathan Aaron Nazaire Matthew Nazaire Aissatou Ndiaye

Fatoumata Ndiaye Lianne Nelson Joshua Nere Gerald Nest Ashley-Marie Neto Shanty Newman Ryan Nnoli Sanaica Noel Zekial Noel Alyssa Nunag Aidan Nunes Ana Nunes Obianuju Nwanonyiri Chikosolu Nwodili

Dianna Nyambane Steven O’Flaherty Ugonna Obi Emiloluwa Ogungbade Nathan Ohene Appiah Victoria Ojibe Oluwatamilore Ojo Chiedozie Okoye Nicole Okulewicz Adetomiwa Olanrewaju Anthony Olarte Joshua Oliveira Luisa Oliveira Natalie Olivo

Bentley Olushoga Israel Oluwatola Jan Antoinette Onday Crystal Onyeukwu Mike Opont Derek Ordonez Jordan Ortiz Tiana Ortiz Jason Oskar Benicio Osorio Sheroden Oyco Winifred Oyem Ginika Ozurumba Elijah Pablo

Nadine Pabrua Gabriella Pagan Jennifer Paguay Kofi Paintsil Veronica Pastore Jasmine Paul Darryl Payton Lucas Pedroso Jason Penk Haneefah Pennix Chalmers Tayro Perdomo Martinez Damian Perdue Joel Pereira

CLASS OF 2022 s n o i t a l Congratu UNION HIGH SCHOOL

See CLASS, Page 12

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12 — July 2022 — Union Leader

Class of 2022 graduates from Union High School (Continued from Page 11) Daniel Perrotto Mikenell Philemon Ashley Pierre Suze Belly Pierre Najee Pinckney Allison Pintado Torres Maria Piplos Gabriela Pires Armaan Popli Justin Porter Anthony Portes Torri Powell Nazir Pressley Jared Pryce Alice Qiu Darius Quarshie Andrew Rabanal Ariyah Rajpaul Kayton Ramirez Chelsea Ramos Rance Ranola Samira Razo-Paiz Joseph Rella John Ressurreicao Laura Restrepo Isabella Ribeiro Valdine Riche Jamie Riley Mehdi Rizvi Qasim Rizvi Khadir Robinson Stefan Robinson

Farryl Rocvil Christopher Rodriguez Matthew Rodriguez Ricardo Rodriguez Juana Maria Roman Alzate Polyana Romano Micah Rooks Freddy Rosales-Lopez Carizma Ross Lyncoln Ross Jaeda Rowley Nicholas Rua-Broadnax Zachary Rufus Elias Ruiz Jake Sa Bryan Saiboo Blanca Salas Salazar Emily Salcedo Matthew Samila Roselyn Samuels Shaniya Samuels Nicholas San Inocencio Ernestine Sanchez Isabella Sanchez Joshua Sanchez Amber Sanders Diego Sandoval Navarro Disha Sanghavi Maria Santafianos Anelyse Santana Brendan Sarpong Nicholas Sarsfield

Samantha Schade Jason Scott-Lucas Gregory Senesca Nylise Serrano Deziree Serrett Daniel Shade Danielle Shade Aashi Shah Sonia Shah Imani Shaheed Brandon Silva Isabel Silva Nevan Silva Alani Simmons Kaiya Simpkins Suhavi Singh Miya Smith Daniela Soto Zachary Sousa Kelsy Souto Raudenas Sterling Ja’Nya Stewart Jaden Stewart Kimora Stowe Kendell Sumpter Crawford Jalen Swain Giovanni Junior Ernest Sylverain Mikayla Taunisma Ashton Taylor Jalen Taylor Daniel Teixeira Brianna Terrezza

Tanielle Thelusca Lhens Therlonge Gabrialla Thomas Xavier Thomas Jaden Thompson Kasir Thompson Nathaniel Thompson Sarah Thompson Serenity Tims Daniel Tobia Sebastian Toro Jannie Torres Pedro Torres John Torres Feliz Todd Tran Shomar Tyler Uzoma Ukaegbu Jonathan Ulloa Alexis Underwood Caroline Vanhegans Daniel Vargas Engel Vasquez Lopez Elijah Vauters Lorraine Velasquez Bryan Vera Andre Vicente Lynn Chloe Victor Abigail Vigier Gracie Villacis Hillary Villalobos Lima Destiny Villar Geanese Vindel

Gianna Viola Katrina Vukaj Kylie Wachter Siera Wakefield Abel Walegeta Danielle Walters Xavier Walton Elijah Washington Tamera Watkis Nicholas Watson Alicia Webber Talia Weckstein Kaliyah White Chantel Williams Erik Williams Jaymian Williams Jordan Williams Nicholas Williams Stacey Wilson Levaughn Wilson-Reid Mahkai Winston Jahaan Wray Gabriel Wright Alexandra Wuethrich Ahmad Yasin Darvel Young Sierra Zackery Gary Zarro Bledi Zekaj Lloyd Zheng Zhi Da Zheng Zhi Xiang Zheng

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14 — July 2022 — Union Leader

Graduates walk the field at UHS one last time (Continued from Page 1) school, but that their graduation speaks to the willpower and integrity of the class.

“We faced some dark times,” he said.

“We faced some times that made us wish we were back in kindergarten playing tag at recess, that made us question if this was all worth it. Trouble and tribulations you face are always going to be there and are always going to be a part of you. But this is an opportunity to start fresh, to take those experiences and learn from them.”

There is normally only one valedictorian per graduating class, but Danak and Oyem tied at the top of the standings with a 5.19 grade-point average. They were named co-valedictorians, and both gave speeches at the ceremony.

“We were on Zoom for two years,” Danek said in her speech. “In those two years, engagement, community and humanity were worth fighting for. It is important to note that those things are not lost. For two years, we lived on a computer screen. The brick and mortar that stand to your left was a building, an empty one. We lived out lives synchronously and asynchronously, as the world shut down and out schooling was interrupted for the first time in any of our lives.”

When she began as a student at UHS, Danek said, getting as close to a perfect GPA as she could was all she thought high school was about. As she came to find out, she said, she was wrong.

“I realized that education is more than

Photos by Steve Ellmore

Above left, salutatorian Pedro Torres addresses his classmates at Union High School’s 140th commencement on Saturday, June 25, at the UHS football field. Above center, graduate James Mackey is all smiles as he holds up his diploma and points to some of the honors he was presented with at UHS’ graduation ceremony. Above right, Brianna Terrezza stands beside her father, Sal Terrezza, at her graduation ceremony. a number or a school, and Union High School is so much more than that building,” she said. “Life is more than the simple accomplishments of goals. The journey is where learning and growing truly happens. While academic achievement was my focus, what I didn’t know were all the adventures that came with it: new friendships, new opportunities, new experiences that I never knew would become core

memories. When looking back at my high school years, I’m not going to remember that paper I stayed up all night writing. I’m going to remember the football games, the pep rallies and the spirit weeks.”

Oyem thanked her family, friends and fellow graduates for the four years she spent at UHS, before telling them she believes in their futures.

“I believe in where you may be going —

to university, to community college, to trade school, to the workforce, taking a gap year, heading into the military or even if you’re unsure,” she said in her speech. “I believe in you and what you can accomplish. If you’ve never heard it before, or if you’re heard it a million times, I’ll say it to you now: I see you and I’m proud of you. You guys survived high school, and that’s hardly a given. I wish you success in all of your future endeavors.”

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Union Leader — July 2022 — 15

Union resident receives award from Boston University Kayleen Panlilio of Union was honored with the Student Activity Award from Boston University’s College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences: Sargent College during a senior awards ceremony on Friday, May 20. This award recognizes students who make strong contributions to college and university extracurricular activities.

An alumna of Union County Magnet High School, Panlilio graduated from BU with a bachelor’s degree in behavior and health and a minor in psychology.

While at BU, Panlilio was a research intern in BU’s Aphasia Research Lab, which aims to understand language processing and communication following brain damage such as from a stroke. She also served as a Sargent College peer mentor, welcoming new students to the school; was the treasurer and vice president of the BU Student Occupational Therapy Association; and was a member of the US–Iraq Global Health Summer Program. She was also chairperson of District One, a coalition of collegiate Filipino organizations.

“Kayleen has been an excellent and motivated intern,” said Maria Varkanitsa, Panlilio’s supervisor in the Aphasia Research Lab. “She consistently demonstrated strong initiative and eagerness to expand her skills in working with people with cognitive and language disabilities. She shows compassion towards all, especially those living with disabilities, and consistently engages in self-reflection to improve her communication skills with the aphasia participants she assists in providing care to.”

Panlilio will return to Boston University in the fall to continue her studies in the doctor of occupational therapy program and resume her work in BU’s Aphasia Research Laboratory.

“Each leadership experience I have had in college is one where I carry the mission of Sargent College with me: one of empathy, cultural humility, advocacy and so much more,” says Panlilio. “Through the Student Occupational Therapy Association, I learned about unconventional and conventional OT practice settings and hoped to be a resource for those interested in OT by bringing nine exceptional occupational therapists in our speaker series. Through District One, I fostered a community during the height of the pandemic by converting our annual culture show into an online format. Through Jumpstart and my work at the Aphasia Lab, I have helped children and older adults find the right words to express themselves in their activities of daily living, whether that be socio-emotionally or pragmatic.

And lastly, as a Sargent peer mentor, I have been able to guide incoming students through the college experience and organize workshops to better support them.”

Photo Courtesy of Melissa Ostrow

Union resident Kayleen Panlilio stands beside Sargent College Dean Christopher Moore as she holds the Student Activity Award she was honored with for her strong contributions to college and university extracurricular activities.

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16 — July 2022 — Union Leader

SPORTS

Local players excel during 41st annual All-Star Football Classic

By JR Parachini Sports Editor Union Farmers Ashan Harris and Matthew Nazaire enjoyed themselves and made the most of every moment.

After being denied, along with their teammates, the opportunity to compete in the North 2, Group 5 football playoffs last year because of COVID-19 cases that surfaced within the team, Harris and Nazaire were two of the North's most prominent players in 41st annual Phil Simms North/South All-Star Football Classic, played at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium on Sunday, June 12.

Both started and played nearly the entire game. Harris was a middle linebacker for the North defense, while Nazaire was lined up on the left side of the North offense.

Harris made several key tackles, while Nazaire came up with a handful of receptions, including one for a first down on the game’s initial drive and one for a 12-yard gain in the second quarter.

The South jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first half before the North took the lead for good, with its second touchdown coming early in the fourth quarter. Harris and Nazaire and their North teammates were all smiles when the North defeated the South, 21-16.

The first North/South game was in 1979. There was no game in 2002 because of inclement weather and no game in 2020 and 2021 because of COVID-19.

“This is the best of the best,” said Harris, who is slated to play running back at Division II Lock Haven University. “I enjoyed it here, but the practices were hard.

We had three sessions Saturday and Sunday.”

When the North took the lead for good at 13-10 in the See 41ST, Page 18

Photo Courtesy of Lou Grasso Jr.

Union High School football head coach Lou Grasso Jr. stands between his players Ashan Harris, No. 21, and Matthew Nazaire, No. 6, at the 41st annual Phil Simms North/South All-Star Football Classic, played at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium on Sunday, June 12.

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Union Leader — July 2022 — 17

Union Farmers look forward to fall football schedule

By JR Parachini Sports Editor More eager than ever to get back on the field after seeing their 2021 campaign come to an early close because of COVID-19 restrictions, the Union Farmers will open the 2022 season at home on Friday, Sept. 2, vs. Bridgewater–Raritan Regional High School.

Union High School has eight regularseason games scheduled — four home and four away.

This is the first year that overall group champions will be crowned at season’s end, so, for the first time, section-

al state champions will need to win two more games to be declared overall group state champions.

Union’s first road game is at Westfield High School on Saturday, Sept. 10.

Westfield and Eizabeth High School are the only two Union County opponents on Union’s schedule.

Union plays four schools from Somerset County: Bridgewater–Raritan, Somerville, Hillsborough and Ridge high schools; one from Middlesex County, St. Joseph’s High School, Metuchen; and one from Warren County, Phillipsburg High School.

IN MEMORIAM • BOFFA – Edward J. Jr., of Union; May 25. Retired assembler for General Motors. Volunteer firefighter. Widower, father, grandfather, 81.

• FERRIS – Suzanne “Bella,” of Union; May 20. Was 79.

• FORTUNATO – Robert J., of Union, formerly of Washington; June 17. Worked as a project manager for Kings Supermarket. Husband, father, grandfather, 64.

• LLOYD – Wayne R., of Glen Gardner, formerly of Union; May 27. Husband, father, grandfather, uncle, cousin, 76.

• MOYER – Margaret O., of Union; June 14. Was 99.

In Memoriam is a monthly feature compiled by the news staff from various sources.

We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved 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.

EVERYONE

BELONGS AT THE Y! Community Membership For All

Union doesn’t face Linden, Plainfield or Scotch Plains–Fanwood anymore.

Union’s last regular-season game is at home against Ridge on Friday, Oct. 21.

Seven of Union’s eight games are Friday-night affairs.

The state playoffs are to commence the first week in November, as has been the case the last several years.

Union has produced winning seasons the last four years. Last year, the Farmers reeled off nine straight wins after falling to Millville Senior High School, 31-28, in a late-August game played at Ocean City High School’s field.

The ninth straight win was a morethan-convincing 41-3 home triumph against Livingston High School in the first round of the North 2, Group 5 playoffs. Then Union was shut down for the season because of COVID-19.

The Farmers had to forfeit the sectional semifinal home game against Eastside High School, Paterson, thus finishing 9-2.

Union went 8-3 and reached the North 2, Group 5 semifinals in 2018.

Then, in 2019, the Farmers won their first state championship in 26 years by beating Clifton High School, 42-28, at home to win North 2, Group 5 for the first time. Union completed a perfect 120 campaign with its first state title since 1993. The Farmers then lost to Ridgewood High School, 41-37, at MetLife

Stadium in East Rutherford in the North 2 vs. North 1 champions’ Group 5 regional championship game.

Juniors who excelled for the Farmers last year included Omar Ibrahim, Agbai Ifegwu and placekicker Ramsey Lafond.

Ibrahim caught seven passes for 106 yards and produced 42 total tackles — 20 solo and 22 assists. Ifegwu had 11 solo tackles and three assists for a total of 14.

Lafond was almost automatic for the Farmers following touchdowns. Last year, he made 37 of 42 extra-point kicks.

In the Big Central Conference’s Division 5A last year, Union won the championship outright, beating Elizabeth, Westfield, Plainfield and Watchung Hills Regional high schools to finish with a perfect 4-0.

Union Farmers football 2022 schedule: • Friday, Sept. 2, vs. Bridgewater–Raritan, 7 p.m.

• Saturday, Sept. 10, at Westfield, 1 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 16, vs. St. Joseph’s Metuchen, 7 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 23, at Somerville, 7 p.m.

• Friday, Sept. 30, at Hillsborough, 7 p.m.

• Friday, Oct. 7, vs. Elizabeth, 7 p.m.

• Friday, Oct. 14, at Phillipsburg, 7 p.m.

• Friday, Oct. 21, vs. Ridge, 7 p.m.

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18 — July 2022 — Union Leader

41st annual Phil Simms North/South Classic brings out best (Continued from Page 16) fourth quarter, Nazaire regrouped on the sideline while the North defense was on the field. He soaked in the all-star atmosphere for all it was worth, a Union High School player playing one more game in his hometown.

“This is great; I’m enjoying this,” said Nazaire, who will play at Merrimack University, the Division II Football Championship Subdivision school located in North Andover, Mass.

Union head coach Lou Grasso was also a secondary head coach for the North and

present on the North sideline to see two of his seniors close their high school careers with a victory in their hometown.

Union was 9-1, on a nine-game winning streak, and had yielded only 7 points or fewer in six of its previous seven games before being forced to forfeit its North 2, Group 5 home semifinal game against Eastside High School in Paterson when the team was shut down by the COVID-19 virus in November 2021. Union had routed visiting Livingston High School 41-3 in the first round.

“It was very tough then and is still

tough now,” Harris said. “It will always be tough, because we were the favorites.”

Union was seeking to repeat in North 2, Group 5. Union won the section for the first time in 2019, which was the program’s first state championship since 1993, a span of more than a quarter of a century.

There was just a shortened regular season in 2020 and no state playoffs, which made last year’s playoffs that much more special.

East Orange Campus High School ended up winning the section and then captured the North, Group 5 Regional Championship

Juicy Never Tasted So Delicious!

game to finish 13-0 for the first time.

The North won the previous Simms Classic, 24-23, at Kean in 2019, which is its only 1-point victory in the series. A third straight win next year would tie the series, which the South still leads 20-19-2.

The North has never led.

Scoring touchdowns for the North were Nick Dunneman of Seton Hall Preparatory School from quarterback Raeden Oliver of East Orange Campus late in the first half, Matt Weir of Ramsey High School from Oliver early in the fourth quarter and See PLAYERS, Page 19

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Union Leader — July 2022 — 19

Players enjoy the atmosphere at All-Star Classic (Continued from Page 18) Dominick Verducci of Parsippany Hills High School from quarterback Cael Zebrowski of Verona High School later in the fourth.

The South led 10-6 at the half before the North went ahead 13-10, after Carson Hecht of Randolph High School made his only point-after kick after missing his first following a missed field goal attempt.

Dunneman ended up passing to Hecht for a successful 2-point pass following the North's final score. The South scored once more later in the fourth, but missed the PAT. An interception by Zaon Laney of Rahway High School, who played on both sides of the ball as he also ran with it well at running back, clinched the victory.

The North had four interceptions, including two that led to scores. The first pick was by North Defense MVP Dashawn Lawton of Newark West Side High School on the game’s first play from scrimmage.

Oliver, who will attempt to walk on at Rutgers, was the North Offense MVP.

Photos by JR Parachini

Above left, Matthew Nazaire, of Union, No. 6, playing wide receiver for the North All Stars, sits on the sidelines during the game. The North defeated the South 21-16. Above right, Ashan Harris, of Union, No. 21, playing for the North All Stars, enjoys one more game to end his high school football career.

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