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.

|