BOE recognizes students & athletes

by Paul E. Pedersen Jr., Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—Numerous students of the Hammonton School District were recognized for athletic and scholastic excellence and achievements during the regular Hammonton Board of Education meeting on May 9. There were approximately 50 students and parents in attendance along with teachers and board members.
Before the student presentations were awarded, Hammonton Board of Education President Joseph Giralo made a special announcement, calling everyone’s attention to “some fashion of pink” that all board members were wearing at the meeting.
“I just want to make note that we are battling for an employee who has an illness, and we want her to know that our hearts and hopes are with her,” Giralo said.
Giralo didn’t mention the name of the employee, or the employee’s specific illness in his address.
Board members passed some 69 resolutions, including ratifying the April payroll in the amount of $2,759,056.21, the approval to award contract to Apple Inc. for the purchase of eleven Bretford PowerSync Carts for iPads for the high school and middle school in the amount of $30,799.45, and the approval to accept bids and award a contract to Miller Ford Sales for the purchase of a 2013 Ford E-350 Cutaway base w/DeJana Dura-Cube Body truck. The board also approved the recommendation to terminate Joanne D’Agostino as high school part-time cafeteria aide due to abandonment of position, and approved the letter of retirement from Linda Sacco, high school special education teacher, effective July 1, 2013.
At the end of the meeting, board member Leo Petetti addressed the board and those still in attendance about how citizens should be “keeping their eyes peeled” and getting and staying involved in what’s going on locally in light of the several nationally known and tragic social situations of late.
“This thing that happened in Cleveland. I think everyone’s aware of it. I don’t think we can protect our kids enough. Everyone needs to start getting involved a little more. If somebody sees something, especially in our district, if somebody sees something that doesn’t look right, OK? If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck, OK? If it doesn’t look right, get involved, OK? Pick up the phone. Stop it from happening. We all know there’s been priests, there’s been police officers, there’s been school bus drivers, there’s been teachers, and you’re like, ‘oh my gosh, how did that ever happen?’. That’s because no one wants to get involved. Start getting involved! Don’t be a coward! What’s the worst that can happen? If you’re wrong, you can always apologize and say ‘hey, I’m sorry, it looked to me like you were taking that kid’. Again, I’m just asking people to keep your eyes open, and if you see something, say something,” Petetti said.
He then wished everyone a very happy Mother’s Day.
“I was wondering how you were going to end that,” Giralo said with a laugh.
Earlier in the meeting, Hammonton High School wrestling Coach Dave Mauriello then made the first presentation, honoring HHS senior and wrestling team member David Williams for his outstanding wrestling achievements.
“David’s accomplishments are extraordinary. He is a two-time captain, 2012 and 2013. His career record in Hammonton was 120 wins and 20 losses. He was a 2013 NJ State Interscholastic Assoc. State finalist, which is a remarkable accomplishment. He is a two time Region 8 Champion, a three time District 30 Champion, a three time All-Cape/Atlantic League Champion, a four time Holiday Tournament League Champion.
“Over the last four years, he’s a four time National High School Coaches Association ‘All American,’” Mauriello said
Mauriello said in addition, that Williams was 2nd in the state of NJ in the 182 lbs. wrestling class, and that four other senior wrestling students in the state that were in the same weight class as Williams, and were “All-Americans” as well, went to the National Tournament with Williams. One of the students in that group won the National Tournament.
“It was, by far, the toughest weight class in the entire state, and David took second in it, which is a tremendous honor for him. To add to all of this, David will be attending Bloomsburg University on a wrestling scholarship. I am very proud of him,” Mauriello said.
Giralo presented Williams with two certificates, one for outstanding service and one for his second place finish.
“I just want to say I’m proud to present you with these certificates on behalf of the board of education. We’re very proud of your accomplishments, that’s for sure. I’m very sad to see you leave our school, and I’m going to miss sitting with your mom in the stands. She is one wonderful person, so is your dad, and that’s why you are who you are,” Giralo said.
Williams is also a member of the Orchards Wrestling Club in Vineland, coached by Vern Zellner.
The next presentations and awards were made by Warren E. Sooy Jr. Elementary School Principal Kristina Erman. She recognized elementary school students for their outstanding achievements in the following categories:
February Students of The Month: second grade: Giovanni Mendez, Julia Selzer, third grade: Erik Pabon, Abby Mauriello, fourth grade: Madeline Mortelliti, Matthew Grasso, fifth grade: Brayan Perea, Jenny Diaz-Lopez.
March Students of the Month: second grade: Scott Piccuci, Nayelie Ruiz, third grade: Ava Chiofalo, Jamiel Acosta, fourth grade: Selene Quintero, Chris Franck, fifth grade: Zack Tooker, Alexis DeRosa.
April Students of the Month: second grade: Maria Ramirez, Dennis Wyers, third grade: Joseph Linneman, Yesenia Aquina, fourth grade: Annabella Peretti, Dominic Mazza, fifth grade: Jashlian Santiago, Edgar Dolores Alejos.
Safeties of the Month: February: Aslynne Scardino, Mark Ritchie. March: Emma Rudolph, Amour Benjamin. April: Rachel Thuma, Gino Serechia.
Perfect Scores on NJASK Tests:
NJASK3 (math): Gabrielle Abruzzese, Matthew Grasso, Annabella Peretti.
NJASK4 (math): Cayla Kalani, Carson Lee, Spencer Salvatore.
NJASK4 (science): Ryan Barts, Sophia Donio, Carson Lee, Nathaniel Montecillo.
NJASK5 (math): Sophia Bova, Michael D’Ottavi, Daniel Duffy, Maliaidh Duffy, Kathleen Fahy, John Grasso, Emily Komis, Erin McAllister, Regev Melker, Anthony O’Donnell, Jacob Porretta, Zeke Ramirez, Alexander Weatherby.
Erman congratulated each student personally, and handed those students in attendance a certificate as they walked to the front of the room to receive them.