C11SClass of 2011
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Clifton Merchant Magazine is published the first Friday of every month at 1288 Main Ave., Downtown Clifton • 973-253-4400
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 4
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One afternoon when I was nine and old
enough to know better, I was in the basement
playing with
my father's tools. I
found a piece of
wood, picked up a
coping saw, and
pressed the wood flat
under the palm of my
left hand. The handle
of the saw fit in the
grip of my right hand.
I began to cut into the
wood.
As the blade of the
saw quickly cut, I became more and more confident of
my carpentry skills until the teeth of the saw ripped a
deep gash into my waiting left hand.
I remember nothing else about the incident, but I do
remember that many
years later, as I wrote on
the Selective Service
form at the draft board
that I had a scar on my
left hand. My father
denied it was there at all.
It is difficult for fathers
to acknowledge any
blemish on their sons.
That small scar has
been with me for fifty-
one years, evidence
that I was once an innocent boy. We need to have
physical proof that a distant time existed.
By Christopher de Vinck
At this time of graduation let us considerhow we are going to live between the
extremes of innocence and experience. Whatwe choose will determine the quality and
tone of the songs we sing to our ownchildren during the ordinary times of our
quiet, good lives.
M O M E N T S o f G R A C E
Graduation Speech
CongratulationsPaige!
And all our local graduates.We Are So Proud of You
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 6
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 7
I read about Russian immigrants
who came to this country carrying
dried mushrooms with them.
I remember the house of my
childhood, where I scratched the
names of my brothers and sisters
with a piece of corundum on the
kitchen window. I nearly lost my
thumb in the basement of that house
when my brother and I were fooling
around with an ax. It was the house
of Christmas, the house of the
swallow’s nest on the front porch in
spring. The yard is where I learned to
distinguish a catbird’s cry from the
bluejay’s, where I kissed a girl for
the first time, where my father built a
sailboat, where my grandfather
planted roses.
An eighty-six-year-old Lebanese
friend of mine sleeps in his parents’
bed. “I have taken this bed with me
throughout my life. It is the bed
where I was conceived. I stand up
each morning and kiss the bed’s
corner in thanksgiving to my parents
for the life they have given me.”
We are all faint images of our
former self, contemplating our
changing faces in the mirror, all a
little frightened perhaps, but most
of us capable of carrying on to a
certain end with courage and faith.
When I am sitting through a long
meeting or waiting to give a
speech, I rub my finger over the
little scar on my left hand.
We need to remember the
innocence that was born deep inside
ourselves because it is there that we
can maintain our center. We need to
remember that this innocence is not
drowned. We step into the world of
experience with passionate intensity,
and I believe it is this intensity that
has the power to destroy the song of
innocence in us, but this intensity is
also where we manipulate
experience and create poetry,
families, bread, music, a neat hedge,
a collection of photographs.
Art becomes dark and ugly if
innocence is destroyed. Beauty, I
believe, comes from our ability to
maintain the song of innocence in
harmony with the song of
experience and create a balance
between the two.
Time in our lives is spent
between doing what is necessary
and doing what is felt. If we boil
water for tea and do not dream
about the hot shapes forming in the
steam rising toward the kitchen
ceiling, we become quickly old and
defeated. And if we spend a
lifetime pursing the stars, rejecting
home, routine, duty, then we
become drunkards or liars.
I suggest at this time of
graduation that we should not spend
half our lives pursing a caress and
the other half dulling the senses.
How we wear the stars of both
our desires and our limitations
upon our heads will define our
nobility.
At this time of graduation let us
consider how we are going to live
between the extremes of innocence
and experience. What we choose
will determine the quality and tone
of the songs we sing to our own
children during the ordinary times
of our quiet, good lives.
Dr. Christopher de Vinck, a graduate from Teachers College,
Columbia University, is the Language Arts Supervisor at
Clifton High School; an adjunct professor of English
Education at Montclair State University, and the author of
12 books. His best known work is The Power of the Powerless
(Crossroad Books) a book on the struggles and joys of loving
his severely disabled brother. This essay is from his upcom-
ing book ‘Moments of Grace: Days of a Faith Filled
Dreamer,’ which will be in bookstores July 1.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 8
C
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 9
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1288 Main AvenueDowntown Clifton, NJ 07011
Student Council AssociationPresident Lina Jaramillo
enjoys the responsibilities of
her position at CHS. She’s been a
student rep all four years—class
VP as a freshman, Class President
for two years before assuming the
same role with the SCA—and
hopes to take on a similar role
when she heads to the Fashion
Institute of Technology in New
York City this fall.
“At orientation, the guides told
me about the Ambassador’s Club
(the student government group),”
said Jaramillo. She expects her lead-
ership roles at CHS will translate
well into a seat on the FIT Council.
“You’re involved. Being in
charge, you make decisions which
will help your peers. We help a lot of
other organizations too,” Jaramillo
explained of her attraction to the
non-paying roles in student govern-
ment. “You get to do a lot of good.”
Besides her involvement with
the student government, Jaramillo
is a four year member of the cheer-
leading team for football and bas-
ketball, and joined the competitive
squad as a junior. “The first year
with the competitive team, we felt
more like a family than a team,”
she recalled. “We all worked
together as a team.”
Jaramillo, born in Medellin,
Colombia and fluent in Spanish,
also has a strong academic back-
ground and is a multi tasker. She
is currently enrolled in AP classes
for English and French. “Mrs.
Graff makes it fun for the [French]
class,” said the senior.
Jaramillo, who will study fash-
ion merchandising at FIT, hopes to
one day make use of her language
skills in Europe in the fashion
industry. She’s already done some
research on programs at FIT.
“I want to do a study abroad pro-
gram at FIT,” she said. “I want to get
out there and see what the fashion
industry has to offer in different
countries. Maybe I’ll be in France
or Italy, who knows”
By Joe Hawrylko
STUDENT LEADERSHIPStudent of the Month Lina Jaramillo is the SCA PresidentCongratu
lations
C11SClass of 2011
In the hallways of this school,Moe Sawalhi is known to many
as the Mayor of CHS. It’s quite
easy to see where the name comes
from. The young man can’t go
down the hallway without stopping
to say hello to any of his many
friends: peers, teachers, hall moni-
tors, police officers, administrators
and principals.
“They call me the Mayor of
CHS,” he laughed. “I know every-
one. All my peers and friends think
I’m a jokester.”
The talkative senior has used his
impressive people skills to get the
most out of his four years at Clifton
High School. Sawalhi has estab-
lished many relationships, made
many friends, and found a few
inspiring figures along the way.
“My family has always been a
big inspiration, but a lot came from
Mr. Lopez,” said Sawalhi. “He’s
inspired me the most. I had him as
a history teacher two years ago.”
Lopez helped Sawalhi find a job
with the now defunct Clifton
Community School, where he
worked on Monday and Thursday
evenings for three years, setting up
projectors and equipment in class-
rooms.
“It was his motivation. The way
he taught, he’d explain stuff to you
so you understood,” Sawalhi said of
Lopez. “He was more like a father
figure. He always tried bringing
fun to the classroom. And if a kid
was down, I know he’d go out of his
way to help people.”
That bit of mentoring is the ful-
crum of assisting others—and it is
something that Sawalhi does well.
He offers up his time for the
Clifton Recreation Dept., and works
with the extension program at
School 2, keeping an eye on stu-
dents after school who must wait
for working parents to pick them
up. He is also the senior head of the
AVA, and works at CHS produc-
tions.
“Knowing the economy, I like to
do volunteer work before paid
work,” he said. “I know it will pay
off some day, and I love helping
people.”
Moe Sawalhi with John Lopez, East Wing VP at CHS.
By Joe Hawrylko
THE MAYOR OF CHSMoe Sawalhi walks the Wings with PrideCongratu
lations
C11SClass of 2011
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 10
W
W
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 11
Sawalhi determined
that the best way to
help people on a con-
sistent basis is a career
in law enforcement.
“I want to become a
cop,” said Sawalhi. “I
want to try to take the
test next year.”
To meet that goal, he is planning
to study criminology at Fairleigh
Dickenson University this fall. To
boost his resume, he has been a
volunteer with the Passaic County
SPCA Law Enforcement Division,
helping with the prevention of cru-
elty to animals.
Most importantly, he has been
getting some on-the-job training by
shadowing Clifton cops to see what
the job is like.
Among his mentors are CPD Lt.
John Burke. “I’ve known him a
long time... since the 7th grade. He
always used to patrol around the
area where I live. One day I asked
to do a ride along with him. I want-
ed to see how he reacted when an
officer lower than him would call
requesting assistance,” said
Sawalhi, explaining that a watch
commander spends two days on the
road and three in the office.
Sawalhi also trav-
eled with CPD Officer
Jim Flannigan last
year for career day.
For Youth Day, he
hopes to shadow a
principal. “Mr. Cumba
(now a principal at
annex) was a cop in
New York for like 20 years and then
went back to school to take classes
to become a principal,” he added.
“I want to be a detective,” he
said. “I like to be the head honcho.
I like to take the lead. Ever since I
was a little kid, I’d get my dad to
buy me little plastic guns and hand-
cuffs. I always would ask police
officers to turn on their sirens,” said
Sawalhi, whose uncle works in the
Passaic County Sherriff Office.
“I want to become a cop,” said Sawalhi,who determined that the best wayto help people on a consistent basisis a career in law enforcement.
7
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 12
Erica Mason: Graduating high school, and
staying best friends with Brittney Hagerman
after 13 years.
Craig Beranic: Getting through Mr.
Ashworth’s class without an I.D.
Queverli Gonzalez: Getting through school
basically on my own.
Fernando Ramirez: Graduating high school.
Andrew Wolforth: Getting a four on the AP
Psychology test.
Cody Graham: Purchasing my own truck.
Tracy Jackson: Receiving the CHS Track
two year varsity award.
Carlos Zapata: Making it to senior year.
Cody Morrison: My greatest achievement
has yet to come.
Grecia Villasante: Graduating high school,
and exiting ESL in 6th grade.
Shannon Siedzik: County girls soccer champs.
Fawzi Abdelgani: Distinguished Honor
Roll.
Ricardo Alvarez: Getting to senior year
without failing.
Jamie Lynn France: My greatest achieve-
ment was becoming a member of the staff at
my dance school. This is my 15th year there
so it was an honor.
Nicholas Jacobus: Becoming a member of
the National Honor Society.
Katherine Lorenzo: Getting a full scholar-
ship to Caldwell College.
Kevin Calapa-Hernandez: Becoming the
person I am right now, a studious young man
taking AP and honors classes to develop
intellectually. My second would be getting
on Varsity for track.
Bhavin Shah: I have done many activities:
Volunteering, JROTC, school acuities and
other groups. But the greatest was receiving
admission into pre-osteopathy at the
University of Hartford.
Kelly Yoo: Taking advanced courses each
Some of the senior girls on the Lady Mustang soccer team. This year, the squad won the PassaicCounty Championship. Clifton had been the co-champs two of the last three years prior.
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
What was your greatest achievement in the last 12 years?Q&A
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 13
year since middle school.
Steven Giangrande: Earning a
half tuition scholarship to Lincoln
Technical Institute.
Linda Minetto: Passing my class-
es each year.
Christy Zoecklein: Becoming var-
sity cheerleading captain and being
accepted to several colleges.
Dylan Wong: Succeeding in chal-
lenging classes during hectic
sports seasons, all while maintain-
ing a normal social life.
Sarah Melnik: When the girls
swimming team won first place in
the Passaic County tournament,
and I made first team all-county
my sophomore and senior year.
Anna Weglinski: Graduating high
school and being accepted into col-
lege. I will be the first one in my
family to attend a university here
in the United States.
Daniel Green: My greatest
achievement is being able to be
successful in both academics and
athletics at Clifton High.
Priya Shah: Academically, my
greatest achievement would defi-
nitely have to be being ranked
third in our graduating class. Ever
since I was young, I would read the
June edition of Clifton Highlights
every year and look at the top ten
students and their college choices.
I always dreamed of being part of
that group. After 12 years of hard
work, I achieved my goal.
Athletically, it is making First
Team All-County in my favorite
sport, Cross Country.
Kevin Lorenc: Being named the
Class of 2011 Salutatorian.
Brittney Hagerman: Graduating.
Charles Bucsko Jr.: When I was
invited to the Distinguished
Honors dinner and being a member
of the National Honor Society in
my junior year.
Bianca Madrigal: Making it
through every year and getting into
several colleges of my choice.
Karla Barrientos: My greatest
achievement will be graduating on
the field with my 2011 class.
Julianne Lorenzo: Making Honor
Roll and Distinguished Honor
Roll.
Paige Sciarrino: Successfully
completing the Rutgers Summer
Acting Conservatory program as
just one of 26 to be accepted out of
hundreds of applicants.
Tiffany Ojeda: To receive
Distinguished Honors five times
since junior year and to have been
in the choir and Madrigals for two
years with Ms. Novak.
Kelly La Forgia: Early acceptance
to my dream college, playing var-
sity softball for three years, and
winning best dressed.
Eryka Baez: My greatest achieve-
ment in the last 12 years would be
being able to stick with my sports
and academics.
Alexir Vargas: Getting through
school.
Hana Mustafa: Doing excellent in
high school which resulted in my
acceptance to Rutgers University.
Kelly Degen: My greatest
achievement in the last 12 years
was being part of the Mustang
Marching Band for four years. It
was a great experience that I’m
very grateful for.
Victoria Pugliese: Becoming the
person that I am. I’m proud to
have a plan for my future at the age
of 18.
Nicholas Surgent: Making the
Distinguished Academic Awards
Dinner all four years.
Michael Biondi: Obtaining my
2nd Degree Black Belt in
Taekwando; being inducted into
the National Honor Society, and
becoming a four year Academic
Award recipient.
Nicole Sullivan: Remaining on the
high school swim team for all four
years, working hard, and falling in
love with the sport.
Amanda Zaccone: My greatest
achievement is becoming a
Majorette Sergeant and getting the
lead roll in South Pacific
To the Class of 2011...
We Applaud Your AchievementsAssemblyman Thomas P. GiblinState of New Jersey1333 Broad St., Clifton, NJ 07013office: 973-779-3125www.assemblymangiblin.com
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 14
Brian Bender: Being accepted to
Penn State University Park campus.
Jagoda Siembida: Academics. I
am extremely proud for graduating
at the top ten percent of my class. I
did well in all my classes, and even
though I struggled sometimes, I
managed to succeed. I also made
my parents proud, which is another
great achievement for me.
Katelyn King: Becoming the con-
certmaster of the entire CHS
Orchestra and ranking 15th in my
graduating class of 723.
Vetri Velan: It would have been
being ranked valedictorian, earning
the rank of Eagle Scout; and being
awarded Science Student of the
Year as a junior.
Itati Aburto: Winning the 2010
girls soccer county tournament, and
a Boys & Girls Club scholarship.
Kaitlin Fusco: Passing algebra II.
Avery Rosenberg: Going to States
for Ultimate Frisbee in my sopho-
more year.
Desiree Douglas: Getting on
Distinguished Honors the last two
and also making Jesus, lord of my
life on January 23, 2011.
Anthony Vilchez: Getting accept-
ed into Rutgers University, where I
will study political science. I hope
to become a politician or work for a
lobbying firm.
Victoria Keenan: My greatest
achievement in the last 12 years is
getting to exactly where I want to
be in life, and letting everything
fall into place the way it should.
Also, getting voted to be on the
Student Council in my senior year.
Emily Komarczyk: Achieving the
rank of seventh in my class.
Iwona Jadamiec: My academics
are my greatest achievement. My
grades reflect me – who I am, and
I work hard to achieve greatness.
Florence Maglente: Being a good
student and making honor roll.
Madison Palza: To do a perform-
ance in school, and passing math.
Andrew Tichacek: My greatest
achievement was being a clarinet
player in the Mustang Marching
Band for four years.
Dylan Vasser: Saving seven grand
by working at ACME Markets to
get my dream car.
Ryan Price: Becoming the bold
artist I have always strived to be.
Julissa Mary: My greatest achieve-
ment has yet to come – when I get
my Bachelors in Biology and go to
medical school.
Joshua Pulgarin: Graduating.
Tony Allen: Getting through
Ashworth’s class without an ID.
Oskar Musiel: Getting through
high school.
Abanoub Sand: Going to college.
Jessica Gonzaga: Surviving high
school and becoming more outgo-
ing. I’ve been able to maintain my
grades while having a social life.
Genova Martinez: I can’t say I
achieved anything great yet, but I
will. I promise the world that.
Isamar Herrera: Actually getting
into senior year.
Ryan Bergen: Getting accepted to
the college of my choice.
Billy Kaousias: Getting into my
choice of universities.
Jamilla Hemeid: Getting into
pharmacy school, and winning the
county title for soccer.
Kenny Morera: Graduating.
Catalina Gil: Taking AP courses.
Lina Jaramillo: Being accepted to
the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Leslie Rodriguez: That I complet-
ed my high school with my class.
Jessica Kunadia: The last 12 years
of my life have been illuminated by
several, which include performing
in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day
Parade, being selected as one of the
captains of the girls varsity tennis
team, receiving the honors of
March 2011 Student of the Month,
and achieving a class ranking of
five. And most recently, getting
accepted into Drexel University’s
accelerated Medical Program.
Erica Mason Anthony Vilchez Brittney Hagerman Nicholas Surgent Bianca Madrigal
Q&A What was your greatest achievement in the last 12 years?
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 15
Kelly Yoo: Staying in honors and
AP courses since middle school.
Stephanie Hernandez: Being elect-
ed onto the student council, a great
extra curricular activity because it
involves you in all of CHS’s events.
You actually have an impact of what
goes on in the school.
Christina Ihle: Qualifying for the
state tournament this year in bas-
ketball. It hasn’t been done in 18
years, and I’m very proud of it.
Zara Ayoub: Getting into a pre-
med program at Univ. of Michigan.
Valentina Correa: Being a honest,
hard working person.
Carlos Escobar: Getting accepted
into a pharmacy program.
Marija Kamceva: Maintaining at
least the semblance of sanity.
Divya Patel: It is the small
achievements that have made me
the person I am. However, the best
way to put them together is realiz-
ing all you have done and appreci-
ating the moment. My greatest
achievement is graduating high
school with the confidence I need
to be successful and the countless
memories I will forever cherish.
Edward Obssuth: My most recent.
I won a full scholarship to a private
college in Florida but by hard work
and concentration, I did it.
Karolina Dtugosz: Making honor
roll throughout high school.
Justine Zawisza: Distinguished
Academics Awards and just making
it the past twelve years of school.
Ruchi Shah: Finishing high school
while managing to maintain a
decent amount of sanity.
From left is Eryka Baez, Christina Ihle, Felicia Castillo and Roselyn Flaz. Thisyear, the girls basketball team qualified for States for the first time in 18 years.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 16
MAKING A DIFFERENCEKey Club Among The Most Active at CHS
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
How do you get the next generationto volunteer? For many kids, theycatch the spirit in school and one
of the most active volunteer groups at CHS isthe Key Club. These civic minded stu-
dents, headed by teacher advisor Jacqueline
Turk, volunteer time in and around Clifton
and boast over 200 active members in its
ranks, a major increase since she first
assumed the role five years ago.
Just a half decade ago, the Key Club had
only 15 members and was in danger of los-
ing its charter. But a membership drive
increased the enrollment and today the Key
Club is spearheading a wide variety of
community projects. For many students,
membership has had its rewards. “Key
Club had definitely made a difference in
With their Sunshine Collection at the center, kneeling, from left, Charles Buckso and Vetri Velan.Rear from left is Atul Johri, Ruchi Shah, Kirti Nahar and Marija Kamceva.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 17
my life, a change I will carry on
with me in the future,” said Kirti
Nahar.
President Marija Kamceva
added: “I received the most impor-
tant and thorough “education” in
becoming a better person from
being a part of Key Club.”
She continued: “Key Club offered
me every possible opportunity to
give back to any and all causes I was
interested in, and by encouraging
hands on participation instead of just
countless fundraisers, it also enabled
me to completely immerse myself in
service and appreciate everything
and everyone around me.”
The Clifton Animal Shelter is a
favorite cause of the members.
Students raised $3,000 and a truck
load of supplies was delivered to
the shelter thanks to a district-wide
dress down day, collection contest
and bracelet sale at CHS.
To drum up support, Kamceva,
who is also in the CHS Top 10,
penned an essay urging students to
help out. She wrote about the joys
of saving animals that would other-
wise be left for dead, and the dedi-
cation of Animal Shelter volunteers
who log many hours without pay.
Kamceva recalled a volunteer
laboring all day over abandoned kit-
tens. “She had her own job outside
the shelter, and all the responsibilities
of her family and home... she
remained all night, without sleep or
any expectation of reward, continu-
ing their feeding and keeping them
alive. I was absolutely taken aback
by her dedication; if she could put in
so much heart into a single task,
Clifton could certainly repay her with
at least a fraction of her passion.”
The Clifton chapter is actually
part of a student-led organization
affiliated with the service club
Kiwanis International. Since there
is no longer a chapter in Clifton, the
CHS ‘sponsor’ is the Passaic club.
While Key Club may be global,
Clifton kids keep it local. Their
Sunshine Collection has yellow
boxes placed at school. Students
deposit colorful band aids, arts and
crafts and crayons to help make the
days brighter for kids in St. Joseph’s
Pediatric Hematology & Oncology
Departments. Junior Nadiya
Chuchvara chaired this project.
“Key Club has always been a
way to help out to those in
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 18
need of it, and a way to give back to
the community that has done so
much for me,” added Vetri Velan.
“It taught me responsibility and
maturity, as well as instilling in me
a desire to help others. I know that
for the rest of my life, I will always
seek to give back to society through
organizations like Key Club.”
Key Club members are also
involved with Giggles Theater at
St. Joseph’s Hospital, where stu-
dents perform for patients in the
childrens’ ward.
“Knowing that I was able to put
a smile on children’s faces, just by
acting silly and putting on a small
show was one of the best feelings,”
said Kirti Nahar. “I have done so
much service through Key Club and
will be ever grateful for the count-
less opportunities. Key Club has
definitely made a difference in my
life, a change I carry on with me.”
“Singing and dancing for the
children was not only a fun and
memorable event but it was
extremely rewarding knowing that
I was making a difference in the
lives of dozens of ill children,”
added Atul Johri.
Other Key Club projects include
the Shoreline Cleanup at Dundee
Island on the Passaic River, where
50 members spruced up the small,
forgotten plot of land that the city
hopes to turn into a preserve.
Key Club volunteers are also very
active with the Clifton Recreation
Dept., where students annually assist
in projects such as Harvestfest,
Clifton Candyland, Veteran’s
Concert, Bunnyfest, Bunny Bash,
5K Stampede, Clean and Grow and
other events. Members also volun-
teer to feed the needy at United
Reformed Church of Clifton and
Eva’s Village in Paterson.
Volunteering has given them a
greater sense of appreciation for
their own lives while allowing stu-
dents to bring about positive change.
“The most significant thing
about Key Club is that it brings the
community of Clifton closer
together, as if we are a family,” said
Charles Buckso. “While in Key
Club, I learned responsibility, com-
passion, being patient, to work
hard, how to be more social and get
a better outlook on life.”
“I’ve been an active member of
Key Club since my freshman year
and had the privilege of being
Secretary this year. I always priori-
tized giving back through commu-
nity service, and what I learned
through this incredible organization
was that there’s great strength in
numbers,” added Ruchi Shah.
“With more than 200 members, we
constantly makes various signifi-
cant contributions to both CHS and
the Clifton community as well, and
I’ve loved being a part of that.”
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 19
Known medically as ony-chomycosis, nail fungus oftencauses the toenails to becomediscolored, thickened and sepa-rated from the nail bed. CliftonPodiatrist Dr. Tom Grazianosaid his GenesisPlus laser sys-tem can treat a patient in one15 minute session.
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Dr. Graziano is offering newlaser technology to treat toenailfungus. The laser passesthrough the nail without dam-aging it and vaporizes thegerms, killing the fungus thatlives under the nail.
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The procedure takes less thana half hour and the toenail willgrow out normally in nine to 12months, in most cases.
“What impresses me aboutthe GenesisPlus is the safety,effectiveness and speed of thetreatments. In one 10-15 minutesession, I can treat a patient whohas been suffering for years withunsightly, deformed and discol-ored toenails,” said Dr. Graziano.“There is no downtime and mypatients have been extremelypleased.”Call 973-473-3344 for details.
For a number of students,finding a career that suitsones tastes can take many
years. Some don’t get it figured out
until they head off to college.
Anthony Gretina is not one of
those. Since he was a young child,
he has been focused on one thing:
turning his artistic talents into a
lucrative and interesting career. His
passion for the field was cultivated
thanks to his older sister, Ashley, a
2002 CHS graduate.
“My sister is into art.
She’s older than me and
just seeing all her art and
everything just inspired
me from day one to pursue
anything art related,” he
said. Gretina said his sis-
ter currently works as a
graphic designer.
“Animation just always
interested me the most. I
want to pursue a career in the
industry, mostly in the
movies.”
“When I first started getting into
art, my mom kept a drawing from
when I was three years old,” he
continued. “I always thought it
was amazing and I started drawing
seriously at five.”
The CHS senior will be attend-
ing the School of Visual Arts in
New York City this fall, where he
plans to study
animation.
“My long term goal is to work
for Pixar as an animator,”
explained Gretina, who is a big
time fan of the studio’s iconic
movies, which include the popular
Toy Story franchise. His personal
favorite is Up.
“I really liked the animation in
it, let alone the storyline, which is
amazing,” he said.
While there are currently no
courses that teach animation at
CHS, Gretina was able to get an
early start on his college career this
past summer by enrolling in a three
week introductory course at SVA.
Professors guided students on top-
ics such as history, figure drawing
and basic, traditional animation.
“That really solidified that I want
to pursue animation,” he said. “That
actually was my dream school. It was
By Joe Hawrylko
TO NYC AND BEYONDAnimated Anthony Gretina wants to Work for Pixar
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 20
Anthony Gretina, with his older sister Ashley, a 2002CHS graduate. Inset are the shoes he designed for class.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 21
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my only choice for school. I applied
for it because my olders sister wen
there as well and said that it was such
a good school. And I researched and
found that the animation program
was the best on the east coast and I
want to stay generally home. I
applied for early admission and got in
on Christmas Day.”
To be considered for the school
and jobs later on in life, students
must build a robust and diverse
portfolio to demonstrate skills in a
wide variety of mediums, especial-
ly human body drawings to show
mastery of anatomy.
In addition to work he did on his
own, Gretina included many proj-
ects he did in art class at CHS.
“I especially enjoyed studio art
with Miss Mascera,” said Gretina,
who also plays tuba in the Mustang
Band. “She gave us free reign with
five projects a marking period and I
was able to go beyond the box and
explore more cartoon work.”
Because of the lax project
requirements, the CHS senior was
able to experiment with unique
works. Gretina’s personal favorite
was a pair of white canvas shoes
which he designed using markers.
The senior came up with the project
after stumbling across something
similar while googling animated
films.
“One of my favorite movies is
Despicable Me. Even though it’s
not a Pixar movie, I was browsing
online one day looking for stuff
about it and saw some shoes,”
recalled Gretina. “I don’t know
who made them, but someone took
a sharpie and drew on them. I kind
of got the same idea and thought it
would be really cool if I did a Pixar
version of that.”
Gretina went to AC Moore and
purchased a pack of 35 fine point
Sharpies and set to work.
“I included Woody, Buzz, the
characters from Up,” he said.
“Pretty much all of the main char-
acters in the Pixar films.”
“I’m very proud of the outcome
of the shoes,” Gretina continued.
His completed project was on dis-
play at the Clifton Arts Center
through May. “It was definitely the
best piece I did all year.”
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 22
C
Congratulations to theClifton students from the
Paramus Catholic High School Class of 2011!
Clifton students from the PC Class of 2011have earned over $1.25 millionof scholarships and grants!
Members of the PC Class of 2011 were accepted into suchprestigious colleges as: Bentley, Boston College, Brandeis,Carnegie Mellon, Colgate, Columbia, Cornell, Fairfield,George Washington, Marquette, New York University, Notre Dame, United States Military Academy at West Point,University of California-Berkeley, Villanova, and Yale.
Alexandra Czajkowski – GPA: 95 – SATs: 1880College Attending: Gettysburg CollegeAlexandra is President of the Japanese Club. She alsoparticipates in the Bridges Outreach volunteer program
and contributes to PC’s Literary Magazine.
Chelsea Gamarra – GPA: 95 – SATs: 1820College Attending: New York UniversityChelsea is part of PC’s Core Leadership Retreat Team,as well as the Spanish, Polish, and Model UN clubs.
She is also an athlete on the Varsity Swim Team and amember of the National Honor Society and International
Language Honor Society.
Damian Stobierski – GPA: 101 – SATs: 2360College Attending: Yale UniversityDamian is a founding member of the Robotics Club.He also participates in the Science League,
Math League, Quiz Bowl Team, Chess Club, andAmbassador Club. He belongs to the National Honor
Society and International Language Honor Society.
Ericka Medina: GPA: 95 – SATs: 1920College Attending: George Washington UniversityEricka is Vice President of PC’s Model Congress and amember of the French Club, Ambassador Club, and
Drumline. She writes for the school newspaper andbelongs to the National Honor Society and International
Language Honor Society.
Nicole Kay: GPA 91 – SATs: 1710College Attending: Montclair State UniversityNicole is an athlete on the Varsity Swim Team,
as well as a member of the Ambassador, Poetry, andHabitat for Humanity clubs. She is also a member of the
National Honor Society.
Photo
s:
Tim
Macdonald
, Im
age A
rt S
tudio
, G
len R
ock
Come and see why over
130 students from Cliftonare making Paramus Catholic their high school of choice!
130 students from Clifton
Pictured are some of Clifton’s Top Seniors from the PC Class of 2011.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 23
Chelsea Lopez: Michael Ciappi. He is one
of the most amazing, genuine people I know,
not to mention hard working! He is presi-
dent of the ERASE club, and proud enthusi-
ast of equality. Education is his priority.
Kaitlyn Windt: Michael Ciappi. Despite
everything he’s been through, he’s always
ready to help others. As president of the
ERASE club, he puts all of himself into
every charity project, along with everything
else he does.
Craig Beranic: I’d have to say my group of
friends and me. Mike Nydam, Pawel
Skomro, and Jim Frauenburger. We always
have fun, we show everyone how friends
really are, and BMX and cars are life.
During WWII, U.S. Army Rifleman, Joseph Hawrylko.
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Who is the unsung hero of your graduating class?Q&A
E.R.A.S.E ClubPresident MichaelCiappi was men-tioned by numer-ous classmates.He’s pictured withfellow senior clubmembers KateWindt, MelannieCiappi (his sisterand Vice President)and ChelseaLopez.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 24
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Q&A Who is the unsung hero of your graduating class?
Carlos Zapata: Abanoub Sand
Cody Morrison: Daniel Punales
because of his personality.
Shannon Siedzik: Eryka Baez. An
amazing athlete with brains.
Jamie Lynn France: I think it is
Nick Jacobus because he is one of
the nicest kids I know and always
has my back.
Nicholas Jacobus: Mike Barbone is
a great guy that asks for nothing in
return and helps out wherever he can.
Linda Minetto: Joscelyn, a true
friend and always honest.
Daniel Green: Dylan Wong. He’s
one of the smartest kids in CHS,
and he’s always the first person to
help you with anything. He’s also
been involved in a bunch of volun-
teer activities, and plays varsity
lacrosse and varsity cross country.
Priya Shah: Mildred Giron. She has
her own photography business with
actual clients. She even got a model
into an agency. I think there are very
few high school students in the coun-
try who have accomplished that.
Kevin Lorenc: Glenn Kam Hang
Sang. Awesome, smart, funny.
Dylan Wong: Shiv Mistry is an
unsung hero in our class. He is
friendly and outgoing, and loves to
tutor his peers in the classroom.
Shiv understands how our minds
analyze information and presents
the lesson in a format specifically
designed for us. For alway being
patient and caring, Shiv Mistry is
an unsung hero of our class.
Abanoub Sand: Justin Noll, a very
understanding and well-rounded
never afraid to speak about or
defend something he believes in.
Hana Mustafa: I think that the
entire Class of 2011 is unique in
their own way.
Karla Barrientos: Akshay Rana
always manages to maintain a
smile on his face and he’s overall
just a genuine, nice kid.
Sal Bonafede: Justin Noll is the
unsung hero. He is the friendliest,
kindest, and most generous man
I’ve ever met. He always does
what’s best for others, and is essen-
tially a super hero to us because of
his attitude. He is my best friend
and will definitely make a differ-
ence in this world for the better.
Tiffany Ojeda: Lisandra Lopez is
an under-appreciated senior. She
has written articles in the school
newspaper, helped students in need
of help, volunteered to help the
needy and the sick, and she has
pushed herself to raise her grades to
be a better student and person.
Nicholas Surgent: Neil Thakar.
He’s smart and he’s funny. He
always brings up a great point in
English class, and is always there if
you need help.
Itati Aburto: Bianca Rodriguez. I
met her my junior year. She tried
out for the soccer team and played
for two years. She was barely
known because she was new to
CHS. Senior year she moved up to
varsity and became part of our soc-
cer family, the biggest sweetheart
of the team. She didn’t get much
playing time but on the field you
heard Bianca’s voice the loudest.
She is one of the kindest people I
know, and she also has great poten-
tial. She’s going to succeed in any-
thing she plans to do. One thing
I’ll never forget is the night before
we won our soccer county finals.
She let us all know that she was
thankful we accepted her into the
team, and that she considered us a
family. It brought the team to
tears. But alongside of this, she is
one of the most hard working, car-
ing, trustworthy, and honest people
that I know.
Justin Noll was cited by his peers as an unsung hero.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 25
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 26
Kelly Degen: Michael Gabriele
because he alway works hard and is
always there if you need help.
Vetri Velan: The unsung hero of the
Class of 2011 is Palash Mehta. He is
the most dedicated, hard working
person I know, and extremely
dependable. I know that he will suc-
ceed wherever life takes him.
Jagoda Siembida: The unsung
hero of my graduating class is
Stefania Ruiz. Words cannot even
describe her unique personality that
can cheer up everyone. Not only is
she intelligent, but she makes
friends with everyone and is great
with people. She does not have
negative opinions about anyone,
but rather, sees everyone as equal,
which even in the 21st century, it is
still hard to find such an individual.
Amanda Zaccone: I say Misook
Mendonca! She is such a nice per-
son and she is very skilled at danc-
ing. She is not talkative, but once
she opens up, she is great.
Avery Rosenberg: Kris Alvarez
and his amazing drum skills.
Nicole Sullivan: Dylan Wong is
extremely dedicated to his studies
and worked hard to earn his place in
the top ten our class. He balances
his time between sports and school
and maintains an active social life.
He is caring and well mannered and
is worthy of our respect.
Michael Biondi: Mr. McCunney.
His passion, creativity, and com-
mitment to his zero period class
and the rest of the community is
phenomenal. He always has a bolt
of energy on any day, good or bad,
at 7 am until sometimes 11 pm.
Kaitlin Fusco: Marija Kamceva is
willing to help anyone. Plus, she
got into Harvard and Yale! Who
else can say that?
Mike Gabriele and Kelly Degen.
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Q&A Who is the unsung hero of your graduating class?
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 27
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 28
Victoria Keenan:Mike Barbone is
on the student council, he’s friend-
ly, hard working, and funny.
Charles Bucsko Jr.: Michael
Bridda. People don’t know how
amazing he is at guitar.
Iwona Jadamiec: I choose Emily
Komarczyk. She is very intelligent
and super dedicated. Not only are
her grades spectacular but she is an
amazing artist and a majorette in
the band...Go Mustangs!
Mark Oliver: Mark Oliver.
Roberto Resposo: Abanoub Sand.
He is the quintessential example of
what it is to be a good person.
James Siluh: Danny Punales, pos-
sibly the craziest guy you could
ever meet.
Oskar Musiel: Roberto Reyonso Jr.
Tony Allen: Mr. Ashworth.
Julissa Mary: Abanoub Sand a
nice, intelligent young man.
Genova Martinez: I choose myself
because I made a lot of people smile.
I just didn’t receive much attention
because I wasn’t a part of any school
activities. I could say that I was
liked by everyone and all the differ-
ent groups, and I hope everyone
leaves with a good memory of me.
Brian Bender: Katelyn King, smart
and a very talented musician.
Jessica Gonzaga: Shiv Mistry. He
has helped many of us with our AP
Chemistry and AP Calculus home-
work and does well in school.
Jamilla Hemeid: Diaa Khalil.
Kenny Morera: Genova Martinez.
Moe K. Sawalhi: Akshay Rana, a
quiet person of good character.
Michael Phillips: Dylan Wong is the
unsung hero of the Class of 2011.
He is a hardworking, dedicated stu-
dent that is always willing to help
others. He is a great lacrosse player
and a scholarly student.
Ruchi Shah: Andrew Singh. He is
incredibly witty and clever with his
words, yet one of the kindest peo-
ple I’ve ever met. And he always
has food he’s willing to share.
Justine Zawisza: Stefania Ruiz.
Divya Patel: Yucheng Guan. He is
always friendly and he’s the person
to go to if you’re feeling down, or
you just need to smile. I have never
seen him angry or upset, and his
amiable nature and funny personal-
ity always keep you entertained.
Marya Kamcera: Andrew Singh
enjoys tutoring me with the open
window in calculus but he’s a comic
book genius who’s created some of
his own amazing stories, and he’s
one of the only people that I’ve seen
every day for the past four years that
I’m really going to miss next year.
Lina Jaramillo: Valentina Correa.
She is determined and I can see her
being very successful.
Catalina Gil: Lesley Sanchez, an
excellent student, my best friend.
Valentina Correa:Michael Barbone.
Stephanie Hernandez: Anthony
Tsouhnikas. He is the kindest person
and a great student and athlete who
didn’t get enough recognition.
Q&A Who is the unsung hero of your graduating class?
Concert master Katelyn King withCHS teacher Natalie Babiak.
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By Joe Hawrylko
THE STUDENT ATHLETEEryka Baez wants to go from Player to Sports Management
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Because of her involvementin sports, Eryka Baez met
her best friends and earned a
scholarship. It only makes sense
that Baez, who played soccer, bas-
ketball and lacrosse at CHS, will go
on to study for a job in the field that
has been so beneficial to her.
“I want to do sports manage-
ment,” said Baez, who will be
attending Post University in CT this
fall. “Once I get older and I can’t
play sports any more, I still want to
be around it. I don’t know exactly
what I want to do yet, but I know
there are a few options.”
The Mustang athlete first got her
start with in soccer.
“I always was a sport fanatic,
even when we played in elementary
school. In recess, I was always
playing with the boys. I first lived in
brooklyn til the age of six,” said
Baez. “When I moved here in first
grade I started playing soccer. I
don’t remember how it happened. I
guess I wanted to try it and just
stuck with it.”
First starting in the Clifton
Stallions rec program, Baez met
four girls who would become her
best friends: Itati Aburto, Michelle
Lima, Megan Ferrara and her sister
Michelle, who is a year older and is
currently enrolled at Sherfield
University.
“We all played rec (soccer)
together and on the traveling team,”
said Baez, who said the girls met
around the age of eight. “We’ve all
come from different elementary
schools and backgrounds, but soccer
was the one thing that connected all
of us. We’ve grown as the
Megan Ferrara, Itati Aburto, Michelle Ferrara, Michelle Lima, and Eryka Baez.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 30
years came, and since we’re in high
school together, we played a lot of
sports gether. It’s been pretty cool.”
In seventh grade, she joined the
Woodrow Wilson basketball team
and then as a freshman, Baez joined
the lacrosse team with Lima.
In college, the group will go their
separate ways: Michelle Ferrara will
be at Fairfield College in CT,
Michelle Lima is enrolled at Rowan
University, Itati Aburto selected
Ramapo and Megan Ferrara will be
at Caldwell. Baez will play for Post
University.
“I got recruited for soccer and
lacrosse there. I felt like it gave
me the best opportunity and it was
the best financial-wise too,” said
Baez. Ranked 158th at CHS, she
also received an academic schol-
arship to the Division II school.
“I’ve always been an anywhere
you need me, coach type. I did
that especially with soccer. I’ve
been in goal, forward and mid-
field in high school. For college,
I don’t know where they want me.
They know I can be on the field or
in goal.”
The graduate is also a member of
the Clifton Stallions U-19 traveling
team. Her most fond sports memo-
ries have been with the girls soccer
team, which had another successful
year, highlighted by winning the
Passaic County crown.
“In high school as a freshman, I
watched us win the co-champi-
onship in 2007. In 2009, I was the
keeper when we won the co-cham-
pionship. And finally, this year we
claimed a title for our own and I was
on the field as a midfielder.”
Baez spent four years in high
school being coached by Amanda
Gryzskin for two years in JV soccer,
and two years on the Varsity girls
lacrosse squad.
“I’ve known her all four years,”
said Baez. “When she was a JV
coach and when she was a Varsity
coach. In lax, on top of what she
taught me on the field, she taught
me a lot of stuff off of it as well.”
“When I came on, it was going
into the third year,” recalled Baez.
“I was just beginning at the high
school and said let’s see what
lacrosse is about. It was either that
or track, which I played in seventh
and eighth grade at Woodrow. It’s
a really fun sport. As a freshman,
Michelle Lima and I tried out
together. Then we got Itati to join
our sophomore year, but Megan
and Michelle play softball.”
The completion of the lacrosse
season marks the last time the girls
will take the field together. This
summer, they will see each other
often before going off to college.
“We’re going to spend as much
time together as possible before we
all split,” she said. “We’re basically
like sisters. I mean, there’s never
going to be a day that you won’t see
one of us together.”
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• A Trek Travel bike trip...• And much more coming !!!
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 31
Kelly La Forgia: Both my mom and dad
who always encourage me, and push me to
be the best I can be.
Alexir Vargas: My parents.
Itati Aburto: It is between Coach Lembryk
and Coach G (girls lax Coach Gryszkin)
because they showed me that no matter how
bad a situation was, it would end up better
once you picked yourself up.
Katelyn King:My parents. They have given
me the unconditional love, support, and guid-
ance and taught me to reach for the stars.
Katherine Lorenzo: My mom. She told me
to never stop.
Anthony Vilchez: Both of my parents.
Kevin Calapa-Hernandez: There was not
just one person who influenced me but it was
all the people who I met. Everyone from my
teachers at school to my family, because to
create a sculpture, more than one chisel
stroke is required.
Kelly Yoo: My mother.
Jagoda Siembida: My parents were never
strict with me, but stressed the importance of
education. I am thankful that because of
them, I am on the right track in life.
Amanda Zaccone: Mr. Morgan. I never had
him as a teacher, but I spent every year on the
band field with him. He helped me grow into
a respectful person.
Nicholas Surgent: My greatest influences
are my parents. They have always supported
me and encouraged me to do my best.
Victoria Pugliese: My sister, Jackie.
Kelly Degen: Mr. Morgan.
Hana Mustafa: My parents. I love them so
much for helping and supporting me.
Tiffany Ojeda: Ms. Youncofski because she
pushed me to do more than what I was capable
of. She believed in me and I pushed hard to
excel. I never took advantage of her kindness,
and she never stopped being kind.
The 2011 ASPIRE graduates, rear from left: Eric Casales, Michael Santana, Mohammad Alatiyat,Kenny Morera, Charisse Aponte , Catherine Ortega, Isamar Herrera, Genova Martinez, MarisolSpindola, Justin Henry, Christopher Reh, Ryan Hayes. Front from left: Andrea Campoverde, NatalyHernandez, Joselys Soto, Justin Hogges. Missing are Leslie Rodriguez and Richar Fantuzzi III.
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Who was your greatest influence?Q&A
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 32
Q&A Who was your greatest influence?
Shannon Siedzik: Coach
Lembryk.
Julianne Lorenzo: My parents and
my sisters.
Jessica Jacobus: Mom and dad.
Karla Barrientos: Throughout my
life was my mommy.
Dylan Wong: My sister, Amy, who
graduated from CHS four years
ago. She set a great example and
always had great advice.
Christy Zoecklein: My mom
helped me with all my decisions
and supported everything I did.
Tracy Jackson: Wiz Khalifa.
Cody Graham: My parents.
Nicole Sullivan: My parents. I
want to eventually attain the lives
they lead and the love they demon-
strate. I aspire to be like them.
Michael Biondi: My grandfather,
George Biondi, helped pave the
way for my successes in life.
Nicholas Jacobus: Both my broth-
ers, who went through CHS and
went on to graduate college with
great educations and jobs.
Kevin Lorenc: Easily my parents
who shaped me into who I am.
Grecia Villasante: My mom.
Cody Morrison: Myself and what I
have been through.
Priya Shah: My mom. She’s been
there for me for everything and I
owe much of my success to her.
Eryka Baez: My mother can be a
pain at times, but she definitely
shaped me to be the person I am.
Daniel Green: CHS track and
cross country coach, John Pontes.
He pushed me beyond my limits
and taught me every step matters.
Craig Beranic: Mr. Fackina for
helping me out every time.
Steven Giangrande: Mr. Wash.
He is such a great teacher and a
very nice man. He helps everyone
out with everything. He puts all of
his time and effort to help anyone
out. He taught me how to work on
cars, and he taught me that any-
thing is possible if you put your
time, effort, and dedication to it.
Bianca Madrigal: My parents.
They are both there every step of
the way and I would never be able
to get by without them. They are
truly the best.
Jamie Lynn France: My greatest
influence was my dance teacher,
Ms. Marylou. She was so success-
ful with her dance career and has
made me the dancer I am today.
Ricardo Alvarez: Mr. Lotito.
Brittney Hagerman: Mrs. Lesler.
Victoria Keenan: My dad. He has
helped me throughout high school
and life in general. He’s my hero.
Kaitlin Fusco: My mom always
encouraged me, no matter what I
wanted to try, and her motivation is
infectious.
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Jamie Lynn France with her long-time dance teacher, Ms. Marylou.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 33
Jennifer Henkel, Director • First Presbyterian Church 303 Maplewood Avenue, Clifton • 973.523.7704
• Infant & Toddler Program • Precious 2’s• Pre-School & Pre-K Program • Open 7 am to 6 pm• Weekly Chapel• When public schools are closed, we’re open!• 19 Teachers & Aides — Many here over 20 years!• This Fall: After-School Pick-Up at School 5
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Miss Lorie’s Pre-K Grads
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 34
Tiffany Ojeda Andrew Tichacek Justine Zawisza Ryan Bergen Kaitlin Fusco
Q&A Who was your greatest influence?
Charles Bucsko Jr.: My parents
have been my greatest influence
but I would also like to give many
thanks to Coach Pontes. After
doing indoor and outdoor track my
senior year, I have lost 15 pounds.
Desiree Douglas: My mom was
always there to help or anything.
Avery Rosenberg: My crazy family.
Fernando Ramirez: Mr. Ashworth.
Erica Mason: My dad.
Iwona Jadamiec: My mom
because she is always there for me.
She is very strong as a single par-
ent, and inspires me every day with
what she does.
Emily Komarczyk: My parents
have always motivated and sup-
ported me in everything I do –
even in choosing a school almost
5,000 miles away from home.
They have always encouraged me
to dream bigger and go after what-
ever I want in life.
Florence Maglente: My sisters.
Madison Palza: My mom.
Andrew Tichacek: My parents
because without them I would not
be where I am now.
Dylan Vasser: My dad, giving me
advice on saving.
Ryan Price: Sublime.
Chelsea Lopez: Definitely my
mom. She worked so hard to take
care of me and my brother as a sin-
gle mother. She sacrificed a lot of
things for me to be able to have a
normal life. I didn’t miss out on
anything.
Johanna Suarez: My dad, seeing
him work every day made me feel
that I need to do my best in CHS.
Julissa Mary: My brother Roberto
has influenced me the most. He has
pushed me to do good in school.
James Siluh: Mr. Lotito. Having
him for History class for two
years...I found him to be one of the
funniest and charismatic teachers.
Joshua Pulgarin: Tupac.
Tony Allen: Mr. Feckina, because
he made making learning in
History fun.
Oskar Musiel: My parents.
Valentina Correa: My mom.
Catalina Gil: My parents.
Lina Jaramillo: My parents showed
that no matter obstacles, with hard
work anything can be achieved.
Abanoub Sand: My brother.
Marya Kamceva: Ruchi Shah!
The most wonderful, amazing, bril-
liant friend... I wouldn’t have sur-
vived without her.
Divya Patel: Mom always support-
ed all my decisions, and she always
knows the right things to say. She’s
there whenever I need her, no mat-
ter what the time. Her love and her
strength inspire me to work
towards my dreams. I don’t say
this enough, I love you, Mom!
Edward Obssuth: Both of my par-
ents who are intelligent and hard-
working people, and I learn a lot
from their actions.
Karolina Dtugosz: My mother.
She is always the first one I run to
when I have a problem. Her loving
behavior, yet at times strict disci-
pline, influences me to be the per-
son I am today.
Justine Zawisza: My parents.
They showed me that hard work
can get you anywhere. I am who I
am today because of them.
Ruchi Shah: I can’t pinpoint a sin-
gle individual, but I’d say my par-
ent, along with the people I’ve
spent the last four years with all
contributed various bit and pieces.
Sonja Shirak: My father who
taught me to keep my head up high
and believe in myself. He is a man
who has never left my side, and
supports all of my decisions.
Sal Bonafede: My parents, mostly.
However, my chemistry teacher, Mr.
Chilowicz’s attitude towards enjoy-
ing life and applying the knowledge
you learn to helping the world has
helped shape who I am. His moral
discussions have greatly influenced
me. I will always be grateful.
Ryan Bergen: My father.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 35
Paige Sciarrino: My greatest influ-
ence has been both my mom and
dad who taught me to always go
after what I want and to dream big.
They’ve also taught me to be a
good person, to always remember
the importance of family, and have
made sure I know that I can achieve
anything I set my mind to.
Genova Martinez: My mother, my
teachers, and myself.
Ryan Hayes: My mom.
Isamar Herrera: Mom and dad.
Sufian Mahmoud: My dad. He is
a great supporter of education.
Billy Kaousias: My family.
Jamilla Hemeid: My family.
Kenny Morera: My mom.
Leslie Rodriguez: My family and
my teachers.
Amanda Greco: My mom who
always supports and guides me.
Sarah Melnik: Jovany Avendano
was my greatest influence because
he always pushed me to do my best
at swimming and in school.
Christina Ihle: Mr. Morgan. He
has taught me so much, and really
capitalized on desire, discipline,
drive and dedication. Without him,
my high school career would not
have been what it was, and I would
not be where I am today.
Stefania Pica: My parents.
Jessica Kunadia: My parents.
They are tremendously encourag-
ing and supportive with any task I
undertake, providing guidance and
serving as the backbone and foun-
dation of my life. I am who I am
today because of them, and look up
to my mom and dad as my inspira-
tion to succeed.
Brian Bender: My parents, for
showing me how to be productive
and have a good character.
Ryan Bergen: My father.
Stephanie Hernandez: My mom
single-handedly raised four children
and sacrificed so much to put us
first. She’s the strongest woman I
know, and always motivates me to
do better. My sisters are great role
models and I always aspire to follow
in their footsteps. They’ve never
failed to give me the support and I
hope to grow up to be even half the
person these three women are.
Zahra Ayoub: Mom.
Carlos Escobar: My grandfather.
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Paige Sciarrino with her mother, Arlene, and older sister, Sidney. Paige cited hermother and father, Gary, as her greatest influences.
Each time Edward Obssuthgoes to the airport, he
watches the pilots in awe.
The prestigious outfit, the privi-
lege of flying a massive plane, the
ability to travel the world—it was
always his dream as a small boy.
In a few years, Obssuth hopes
that dream will become a reality.
This fall, he will be enrolled at
Lynn University. There, the CHS
graduate will study aviation man-
agement thanks to a full scholar-
ship, with the goal of someday
taking to the skies himself.
“The way the airline industry is
set up, it’s kind of whacky,” said
Obssuth, explaining why he chose
to study for a business degree in
aviation. “Sometimes they’re hir-
ing pilots and sometimes they’re
not. That’s the theory behind get-
ting a business degree in aviation
management.”
At the same time, he will under-
go training to fly, logging many
hours on a variety of aircraft.
“At school, they will train me
up to multi engine planes for a cer-
tified flight instructor rating,” said
Obssuth. “You have to build hours
before you can apply to an air-
line.”
Flying for a major airline is the
ultimate goal for Obssuth.
“Since I was a little kid, I had a
thing for airplanes. It just goes
back so far,” he laughed. “We’d
go down the shore and I’d say dad,
please take the turnpike. He’d say
why and I’d say because I want to
see the planes!”
Obssuth’s father also took up to
Teterboro Airport as a young boy,
and the two would sit and watch-
ing the landing planes.
“A few times, we’d go right up
to the fence and just watch them
come in right over your head,” he
recalled. “I also got really into
Microsoft Flight Simulator in mid-
dle school.”
In high school, Obssuth began
to take steps towards realizing his
dream of becoming a pilot.
“I went to my parents and they
said we know you like airplanes,
you think they’re cool and all that
stuff, but you’ve never actually
been on a plane before,” he
recalled.
With help from his parents,
Obssuth was able to try his hand at
some training courses out
Edward Obssuth in a plane shortly before going out on a flight.
By Joe Hawrylko
MAN IN THE SKYEdward Obssuth Won A Ride to Study Aviation
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 36
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 37
Each time Edward Obssuthgoes to the airport, he
watches the pilots in awe.
The prestigious outfit, the privi-
lege of flying a massive plane, the
ability to travel the world—it was
always his dream as a small boy.
In a few years, Obssuth hopes
that dream will become a reality.
This fall, he will be enrolled at
Lynn University. There, the CHS
graduate will study aviation man-
agement thanks to a full scholar-
ship, with the goal of someday
taking to the skies himself.
“The way the airline industry is
set up, it’s kind of whacky,” said
Obssuth, explaining why he chose
to study for a business degree in
aviation. “Sometimes they’re hir-
ing pilots and sometimes they’re
not. That’s the theory behind get-
ting a business degree in aviation
management.”
At the same time, he will under-
go training to fly, logging many
hours on a variety of aircraft.
“At school, they will train me
up to multi engine planes for a cer-
tified flight instructor rating,” said
Obssuth. “You have to build hours
before you can apply to an air-
line.”
Flying for a major airline is the
ultimate goal for Obssuth.
“Since I was a little kid, I had a
thing for airplanes. It just goes
back so far,” he laughed. “We’d
go down the shore and I’d say dad,
please take the turnpike. He’d say
why and I’d say because I want to
see the planes!”
Obssuth’s father also took up to
Teterboro Airport as a young boy,
and the two would sit and watch-
ing the landing planes.
“A few times, we’d go right up
to the fence and just watch them
come in right over your head,” he
recalled. “I also got really into
Microsoft Flight Simulator in mid-
dle school.”
In high school, Obssuth began
to take steps towards realizing his
dream of becoming a pilot.
“I went to my parents and they
said we know you like airplanes,
you think they’re cool and all that
stuff, but you’ve never actually
been on a plane before,” he
recalled.
With help from his parents,
Obssuth was able to try his hand at
some training courses out
Edward Obssuth in a plane shortly before going out on a flight.
Meet Charles D. Crowley, M.D. and his Associates
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from diagnosis and
management of eye
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exams in Spanish, Hindi and Farsi.
Ceaser Pitta, M.D.,specializes in dis-
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including Macular
Degeneration,
Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 38
of Caldwell Airport, eventually
logging some time in the air.
“It was a Cessna 172 that I
flew,” he recalled. “I wasn’t nerv-
ous in the least bit... well, actually,
it was an old plane. But they let
you get a feel of the plane stick
and rudder. They call it climbs
and turns... very basic maneuvers
just to get a feel of what it’s like to
fly to see if you really want to go
forward with it.”
To receive clearance to take to
the sky, Obssuth had to pass a
medical exam, which are only
offered at a few select locations.
His took place near Newark
Airport, and Obssuth had a chance
to speak with some pilots in the
waiting room about the nuances of
the fun, but at times stressful job.
“He said it gets to be very hard
but it’s possible,” recalled
Obssuth. “If you want it, you’re
going to get it. But it’s hard at
times to be traveling a lot when
you have a family.”
“Hiring comes in waves with
pilots,” he continued. “There are
times when they’re going to be
hiring a lot of people and times
where there’s no jobs. But the
good thing that almost everyone
mentioned is that the Baby
Boomer generation will be retiring
soon because the airline industry
has a mandatory retirement age.”
Seniority also comes into play
when a pilot is assigned a route.
After he accrues enough hours in
the air, Obssuth will have more
freedom in selecting his route,
which means he can do some
sightseeing.
“I love to travel. Looooove to
travel,” he laughed. “It’s one of the
main things that made me want to be
a pilot. There’s this youtube video,
the life of a pilot, about how he trav-
els to France and stayed there for
three days before flying back.”
Though he has many locations
that he wants to visit, three sit atop
Obssuth’s list.
“I want to go to Italy. I’d love
to meet the Pope,” he laughed.
“And I’d love to go to Paris to see
the Eiffel Tower. And maybe
Greece too.”
Obssuth said that Lynn has a
program called J-term, a study
abroad program. There’s also a
mandatory conference in Hawaii
for aviation majors.
“I’m kind of nervous and kind
of excited,” he laughed. “I just
told my parents that I’ll teach you
guys how to use a webcam. I’ll
finally be able to get them on face-
book now to get in touch. I’m a
little nervous to leave home. Most
of my family is up here but I have
some in Florida but not near Boca.
I have to learn how to do my own
laundry now.”
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 39
Mili Giron: I expect to keep doing photogra-
phy my entire life as I started my fashion pho-
tography business in 2006. But in Sept., I’ll
be at NJIT studying architecture and interior
design. Architecture has attracted me because
of the use of lines and colors and I think it will
allow me to incorporate all aspects of art in a
stable career.
Queverli Gonzalez: Most likely in college.
I’d rather start right away rather than taking
a break.
Fernando Ramirez: Going to college.
Craig Beranic: In Lincoln Tech working
towards my automotive tech license.
Cody Graham: In local neighborhoods run-
ning my landscaping business.
Paige Sciarrino: I will be at MSU as a
Theatre and English major, with a
Mili Giron at left and two photos from her portfolio.
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Where will you be in September 2011? How did you reach that decision?Q&A
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 40
Karla Barrientos Kevin Lorenc Jessica Jacobus Dylan Wong Amanda Zaccone
Q&A Where will you be in September 2011? How did you reach that decision?
minor in Italian.
Andrew Wolforth: Still in Clifton.
Tracy Jackson: FDU.
Carlos Zapata: In Miami, Florida.
Cody Morrison: Hopefully in New
York pursuing modeling.
Grecia Villasante: The University
of Georgia. I visited the campus
last summer and fell in love.
Kevin Calapa-Hernandez: I will
be at Penn State. I wanted to
heighten my education and pursue
my dream of becoming a surgeon.
Erica Mason: I will be attending
Bergen Community College.
Shannon Siedzik: St. Elizabeth’s.
Fawzi Abdelgani: FDU because of
my hard work in high school.
Ricardo Alvarez: PCCC. I can take
care of my mandatory classes and
then transfer for my major.
Jamie Lynn France: Stockton
College. It wasn’t my first choice,
but I’m glad that I’ll be there.
Nicholas Jacobus: Rutgers
University, New Brunswick has a
good engineering program and one
of my brothers went there.
Steven Giangrande: I will already
be in Lincoln Technical Institute in
Mahwah studying to be an auto
technician. Thanks Mr. Wash.
Linda Minetto: Passaic County
Community College. I came to that
decision to save money to achieve
my goal of being a social worker.
Anna Weglinski: Attending
Rutgers University in Newark.
Kaitlin Fusco: Boston University,
studying international relations.
After weighing my options, I
decided that Boston University had
all of the programs I wanted.
Daniel Green: At Fordham
University. I love the school and
they recruited me to run for them.
Priya Shah: Rutgers School of
Pharmacy, the perfect combination
of academics and fun. The guaran-
teed seat and exemption from the
PCAT made it an appealing choice.
Kevin Lorenc: At NJIT studying
chemical engineering; they offered
me a full scholarship.
Desiree Douglas: WPU I fell in
love with the campus.
Bianca Madrigal: I will be at
Quinnipiac University in the fall.
Dylan Wong: Stevens Institute of
Technology pursuing a five year
Masters in Civil Engineering.
Karla Barrientos: Hopefully not
stressing school work too much. I
plan on going to school to become
a speech therapist. I’ve reached
that decision over the observations
I’ve made at my internship.
Jessica Jacobus: Studying Early
Childhood Education.
Julianne Lorenzo: Marist College.
Tiffany Ojeda: New Jersey City
University studying psychology for
special education kids. I want to
help kids who have gone through
all the personal struggles that I
have experienced. I can help them
since I can empathize with them.
Amanda Zaccone: At Bergen
Community College majoring in
the fine and performing arts for
music. Being in the marching
band, choir, drama, musicals,
Madrigals, and other music related
groups helped with my decision.
Katelyn King: MSU has an excep-
tional teaching/education program .
Kelly La Forgia: There is nothing
I’m more passionate about than
fashion and LIM College in
Manhattan is the perfect school to
help me pursue my dreams.
Eryka Baez: Post University. I
have the opportunity to be able to
play both lacrosse and soccer.
Nicholas Surgent: Drexel
University in Philadelphia major-
ing in sports management because
of its fantastic co-op program.
Christy Zoecklein: At WPU in the
communications program.
Michael Biondi: MSU’s broadcast-
ing program and campus life will
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 41
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certainly go beyond my expectations.
Hana Mustafa: Rutgers.
Nicole Sullivan: University of Delaware. A few peo-
ple I know already attend that school and they told me
how much they loved it. Once I visited, I knew that
it was exactly the school I was looking for.
Vetri Velan: I will be at Rutgers New Brunswick’s
School of Engineering. I plan to major in chemical
engineering. They offered me a full scholarship and
was placed into the honors program, which provides
more rigorous classes and research opportunities.
Itati Aburto: Ramapo College, because it has one of
the best physical therapy programs in New Jersey.
Alexir Vargas: FIU in Miami because I studied hard
to get there.
Avery Rosenberg: East Stroudsburg University
because they have a good exercise science program.
Charles Bucsko Jr.: Culinary Institute of America in
Hyde Park. I became interested in cooking because
of Mrs. Jones Food and Nutrition class.
Victoria Keenan: BCC then transferring to
Monmouth University where I’ve been accepted for
the spring to study journalism.
Madison Palza: New Jersey City University.
Brittney Hagerman: Parisian Beauty Academy.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 42
NICOLE CORNACCHIA ALYSSA GORDILLO XUE KANG MICHAL KISIEL MATTHEW KOSCIOLEK
LAUREN O'NEILL MELANIE RODRIGUEZ KAROLINA SLONIEWSKI PATHIK SUVARNAKAR PARTH THAKKAR
The Clifton residents pictured hereoffer God’s Blessing to all in the Class of 2011
Our Class of 2011 has received $11,238,552 in scholarships and grants!
Fa i t h � Fam i l y � Fu t u re
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 43
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Ever since I was a young girl it has always been my
dream to own my own salon.
Iwona Jadamiec: MSU studying business.
Florence Maglente: Bergen Community College.
Andrew Tichacek: PCCC and then transfer to Saint
Thomas University to study chemistry.
Dylan Vasser: Bergen County, and still at ACME.
Ryan Price: SAE, studying to be an audio engineer.
Chelsea Lopez: Freshman year in Pace University.
Johanna Suarez: In college because I’ve improved
my grades.
Julissa Mary: Starting on my Bachelors in Biology.
James Siluh: Criminal Justice at Kean.
Matt Rayner: Going to college.
Joshua Pulgarin: The Marines.
Tony Allen: Passaic County Community College.
Oskar Musiel: Bergen County College.
Roberto Resposo: Seton Hall University.
Abanoub Sand: Rutgers University, because it’s a
local, inexpensive and respectable college.
Stefania Pica: Montclair State University.
Emily Komarczyk: Hawaii Pacific University on
Oahu studying pre-veterinary medicine for exotic
animals and gaining hands-on experience in numer-
ous nature preserves and unique zoos.32 Samuel Ave., Clifton
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 44
June
3Sweeter
than Honey
10The VictoriaWarne Band
17The
Garden StateHarmonica
Club
24Traffic Jam
JULY
8The Apache
Twins
15The RobertRoss Band
22The MidnightRamblers
29Jimbeau and the
Retrocasters
AUGUST
5The
FrostKings
12Rave On
19The Mike
LuipersbeckBand
26Sweeter than
Honey
All concerts held rain or shine. In case of rain, concert will be moveindoors at the Italian American Coop on Parker Ave.
Special Saturday Night FREE CONCERT
Starring The
Basement Brothers
Saturday June 18thin Sullivan Square starting at 7PM
Sweeter than Honey
The Apache Twins
The Robert Ross Band
BOTANY Free Summer Friday Night
Concert SeriesHeld in Sullivan Square in the
Heart of Botany Village starting at 6:30PM
Bring a chair and your dancing shoes!
Friday night concerts funded, in part, by the Passaic County Cultural &Heritage Council / the NJ State Council on the Arts / Department of State,
a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 45
The CHS Top 10, sitting from left, Marija Kamcera, Ruchi Shah, Kevin Lorenc, Divya Patel and Priya Shah. Standing SylanWong, Emily Komarczyk, Vetri Velan,Jessica Gonzaga and Jessica Kunadia.
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Story by Joe Hawrylko
Photo by Tom Hawrylko
CHSTop 10
When some 760 seniors gather June 24 at Clifton Schools Stadium,
they will continue a tradition that began over 100 years ago. The graduates
will be greeted by underclass members with pomp and circumstance and
cheered by family and friends. While each graduate is unique, there are those
who finished in the top academically. On the following pages, we tell a bit
more about the individual who comprise the CHS Top 10.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 46
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 47
VETRI VELAN
CHS valedictorian VetriVelan describes himself as
a person who loves to
learn. In his four years at Clifton
High School, the senior has tried
his hand a number of activities,
finding success in many fields.
In 2010, Velan was named the
Science Student of the Year, which
was the first time the honor was
bestowed upon a junior.
Velan is involved in many clubs
and activities, both in and out of
CHS: he is the Knights of
Pythagoraas President at school,
and he is an Eagle Scout.
However, he has found the most
success in Academic Decathlon. In
this interscholastic competition, stu-
dents square off to test their knowl-
edge in various subjects. At regionals,
Velan posted the highest score and
turned in the best essay in the state.
Because of his success at Clifton
High School, Velan was able to
enroll in the Science Honors
Program at the prestigious
Columbia University.
“I learned about topics that I
never could elsewhere, such as cos-
mology, general relativity and par-
ticle physics,” said Velan. “This
sparked in me a passion for learn-
ing about the universe at its most
fundamental scales.”
“Moreover, I gained a new phi-
losophy on life, in which I connect-
ed physics to society,” he contin-
ued. “I was able to equate the
uncertainty in nature to the uncer-
tainty of tomorrow, and saw how
Einstein’s relativity applied to dif-
ferent “reference frames” (ie. per-
spectives) in the world. SHP truly
changed my life.”
KEVIN LORENC
Kevin Lorenc’s favorite subjects in
school were chemistry, physics and
math. He will use that knowledge
every day in his career, as he heads
to NJIT in the fall to study chemi-
cal engineering.
“I want to contribute to society
when I grow up, so chemical engineer-
ing seems like the perfect fit,” he said.
While at CHS, Lorenc, the class
Salutatorian, took part in many
clubs and activities pertain-
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 48
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 49
ing to his interests in science and
math.
“In chemistry, I push myself the
hardest, but I am also able to joke
around and just relax,” said Lorenc,
who cited Chemistry AP as his
favorite class. “That’s how I react
when it comes to academics, and in
everything else.”
In the Science League, he com-
peted in biology I, chemistry I,
physics I and chemistry II. Lorenc
also competed in the Math League,
was a member of the Computer
Club and JETS.
Lorenc has also taken the US level
exam for the International Chemistry
Olympiad. He is a member of the
National Honor Society, and a four
year senior at the Distinguished
Academic Awards Dinner.
PRIYA SHAH
By finishing out the year as thethird ranked graduate, Priya Shah
has completed a goal she’s had
since elementary school: finish
amongst the best when it’s all done.
“Being a part of that elite group
of your graduating class is remark-
able; it is a reminder to you that all
of your hard work over the past 12
years finally earned recognition,”
she said. “After a couple of years
of high school, I told myself that I
could do better than the top 10 and
top 5 was my goal, especially after
earning National Merit recognition
and taking various AP classes in
psychology, US history, statistics,
French, English and physics.”
However, not content to be a one
dimensional student, Shah also is an
avid runner, having spent the last
four years on the CHS cross country,
indoor and outdoor track teams.
“Many people don’t understand
how difficult, physically and men-
tally, it is to be an athlete. It isn’t
simply about playing the sport;
there is so much dedication and
determination involved,” she said.
“The lessons that I’ve learned there
are completely separate from what
I’ve learned in the classroom.”
Shah, who is an alumni of
School 14 and Woodrow Wilson
Middle School, is also a stellar ath-
lete, having received 1st Team All-
County and All-League honors in
her career. She also was named a
NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete at CHS.
“To be compared to the best stu-
dents in the entire state of NJ, who
are both academically and athletical-
ly gifted, is incredible,” said Shah.
The senior wishes to pursue a
career as a pharmacist, and has vol-
unteered at various chemistry labs
and pharmacies, and even interned
at Walgreens. This fall, she will be
attending Rutgers, whee Shah will
be in the six year School of
Pharmacy program.
MARIJA KAMCEVA
Marija Kamceva was an ESL stu-dent in first grade when she entered
the Clifton Public School System as a
six year old immigrant from
Macedonia. Now, eleven years later,
she leaves near the top of her class.
“I was almost manically driven
to excel from the beginning, feeling
restless if I wasn’t completely over-
whelmed with work,” she said.
“The entirety of my high school
career has been comprised of me
taking on much more than I could
sanely handle, and somehow man-
aging to stay on top of everything,
with the only consequence of per-
petual sleep deprivation and a sub-
sequent coffee addiction.”
Kamceva’s interests are diverse:
she’s a talented musician, a mem-
ber of the school orchestra as a first
violinist and participated in both
the Freshman & Friends and
Honors ensemble. She also serves
as secretary for the Tri-M Music
Honor Society, which focuses on
volunteer work in the music com-
munity and organizes teams each
year for the Relay for Life events.
Kamceva’s volunteer work was
enhanced by membership with the
Key Club, where she served as editor
and is now currently president.
Through her, the organization has
promoted school-wide events such as
the Animal Shelter collection and
Giggles Theater performances for
children at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
“Service has thus, though espe-
cially these two organizations,
become an integral part of my life,”
she said. “It’s something that I plan
to continue next year in college.”
Kamceva is also the advisor to the
Ethics Bowl debate team, which
won the Stevens’ Institute Ethic
Bowl Competition in 2009. She also
attended Girls State in the summer of
2010, which is a mock political
arena. Kamceva was also the recipi-
ent of the National Gold Key
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 50
from the Scholastic Art & Writing
Awards in her junior year.
JESSICA KUNADIA
The daughter of Indian immi-grants, Jessica Kunadiawas born in
the United States but was raised with
a strong sense of her cultual identity.
“Having been raised in an Indian
household, I was taught that suc-
cess is achieved through hard work,
and it is with this mindset that I
have grown as both a person and a
student,” she said.
Kunadia preserves her parent’s
culture through the art of dance.
“I completed my training in
Bharathanatyam (a South Indian
classical dance form) and graduat-
ed from my dance school in the
summer of seventh grade,” she
said. “I then joined Arya Dance
Academy, where I received the
opportunity to travel to places such
as California, dance in Bollywood
shows and perform at the 84th
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
in the parade’s first-ever
Bollywood member.”
Besides dance, one of Kunadia’s
other interests is volunteering.
“I believe it is extremely impor-
tant to give back to the community in
any way possible,” she said. “I have
volunteered at Clifton ESL Summer
Enrichment Program, a local dentist
office owned by Dr. Paternoster and
St. Mary’s Hospital.”
As a senior Kunadia has chal-
lenged herself with four AP cours-
es. Her extracurricular activities
include Science League, Botany
Club, The Knights of Pythagoras,
Asian Cultures Club and Interact
Club, among others.
Kunadia is the co-captain of the
Girls Tennis Team. She is also the
secretary and treasurer for the CHS
chapter of the National Art Honor
Society.
Kunadia is a four year member
of the Distinguished Honor Roll
and attended the Distinguished
Academic Awards Dinner.
“As a senior rounding out my years
at CHS, I can say that I’ve been
blessed with a great four years spent
with close friends, family and others
I’ve gotten to know well,” she said. “I
am truly going to miss everyone, but at
the same time, I feel that I am ready to
take the next step forward in my life,
accept the challenges of college and
pursue my goals and dreams.”
This fall, Kunadia will attend
Drexel University in Philadelphia
as a member of the college’s seven
year accelerated medical program.
DYLAN WONG
Dylan Wong is a model studentathlete, achieving the rank of sixth in
the Class of 2011 while being a four
year letterman on the Varsity lacrosse
team.
“Since then, I have watched the
program grow in size and strength,
getting better each year,” he said. “As
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 51
a sophomore, I was part of the team
that had the best record in 14 years,
and as a junior, I helped earn an even
more impressive record of 13-6.”
Wong also is a three year mem-
ber of the cross country team.
“I started as a sophomore, barely
able to run two miles out of the three
mile course,” he said. Wong contin-
ued to train and by his senior year, he
was doing daily six mile workouts
and improving his results drastically.
“Running through the mud, in the
heat, and over the hills of Garret
Mountain has helped me develop a
mental toughness and tenacity that I
believe characterizes me as a person.”
However, as focused as Wong is
on athletics, he is equally as dedi-
cated in the classroom, taking AP
courses in physics and calculus.
“One of my favorite classes was
tech draft, where Mrs. Trivedi taught
us to use drafting programs like
SolidWorks and AutoCADD, and
helped us in our hands-on, practical
projects,” he said. “My favorite proj-
ect was our Popsicle bridge, which
used 100 Popsicle sticks and was
designed and assembled by myself
and three group members. Upon test-
ing, our bridge comfortably held 102
pounds before the testing equipment
could no longer handle the strain.”
Because of that experience, Wong
joined JETS, the Junior Engineering
Technical Society, which is a compet-
itive team for engineering dilemmas.
EMILY KOMARCZYK
Emily Komarczyk, ranked sev-enth in the class, believes it is her
determination and competitive
nature that allows her to succeed
both in and out of the classroom.
The CHS senior juggles a work-
load complete with several AP
courses as well as her responsibili-
ties as the Sergeant of the Mustang
Marching Band Majorette Squad,
which has been the biggest influ-
ence on the soon to be graduate
during her four years at the school.
“Band truly wasn’t just about
going to practice, performing in a
show and getting the job done,” she
said. “Rather, it was about gaining
discipline and dedication, building
relationships and finding the leader
within me.”
Outside of school, her interests
include dance, which Komarczyk
has been training in since she was
three years old.
Komarczyk also volunteers her
time at the Garret Mountain Horse
Stables. She will attend Hawaii
Pacific University in the fall to
study pre-vet.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 52
JESSICA GONZAGA
Jessica Gonzaga is perhaps bestdescribed by her volunteer work.The eighth ranked senior has
logged many hours to benefit vari-
ous charities in and around
Clifton.
“I have spent my Saturday
mornings at St. Peter’s Haven, a
local food pantry, since April
2008,” said Gonzaga. “My
responsibilities at the pantry
include stocking the shelves with
food, bagging food items for fam-
ilies, separating donations and
guiding new volunteers. I also
help unload a truck that delivers
food from the government evey
second Saturday of the month.”
Gonzaga is also a volunteer at
St. Mary’s Hospital on Sunday
afternoons, where she helps fill
out patient menus. She’s also
donated her hair twice to Locks of
Love, and regularly cooks up
donations for the Animal Shelter
Bake Sales.
At CHS, Gonzaga is an accom-
plished student and was a member
of the National Honor Society and
the Honor Guard. She also
received the Alexander Hamilton
Citizen Achievement National
Merit Award in her junior year and
was a Distinguished Academic
Award recipient for four years.
Gonzaga also participates in the
Academic Decathlon and is a three
year member of the swim team.
This year, she attended the
National Youth Leadership Forum
in Philadelphia, where she learned
about becoming a doctor.
DIVYA PATEL
Like her classmate that she istied with, Divya Patel also dedi-
cates many hours of her busy
schedule to volunteer work in the
community.
A member of the Key Club,
Patel donated her time to numer-
ous causes: the Harvest Fest,
Giggles Theater at St. Joseph’s
Hospital, Veterans Day, the 5-K
Stampede and other activities with
the Clifton Recreation Dept.
“Helping out at the Giggles
Theater was one of the most mem-
orable experiences,” she said.
“Putting smiles on the faces of
children unable to celebrate
Christmas in their own homes was
truly moving. It not only offered a
personal sense of satisfaction, but
I also felt like I was a part of
something bigger than myself.”
Patel has also volunteered at St.
Mary’s Hospital, where she’s
logged more than 200 hours to
date.
Besides the Key Club, Patel is a
member of the Botany Club, Asian
Club and the tennis team. She is
also a member of the National
Honor Society and the Honor
Guard.
RUCHI SHAH
Ruchi Shah rounds out the CHSTop 10. Like her peers, the senior
has a wide variety of interests to
balance academic success.
A four year tennis player, Shah
made the Varsity squad as a sopho-
more and her accomplishments
allowed her to be named captain and
first singles player in her senior year.
“Tennis, for me, often serves as a
mechanism of survival. A stressful
day is infinitely bettered by the antici-
pation of a match or practice after
school,” she said. “The friendships
I’ve formed on the team and the suc-
cesses I’ve accumulated at every prac-
tice combined to humble me in a coop-
erative team setting, but also offered a
support system to help me build confi-
dence in all aspects of my life.”
Other activities at CHS include
the Key Club, Asian Club (where
she is currently secretary and activ-
ities coordinator), the Knights of
Pythagoras and Interact club.
Shah is currently a teaching
assistant at Kumon Math and
Reading Learning Center. She’s
also an avid volunteer, having offered
her time at St. Mary’s Hospital since
her freshman year. There, Shah won
the Volunteer Award twice. She now
works as an intern at St. Joseph’s hos-
pital. In addition to volunteer work
in the medical field, Shah served as
a research assistant at a Biomaterials
Laboratory at UMDNJ to prepare
her for college.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 53
By Joe Hawrylko
THE ANCHORMANMichael Biondi will Deliver the News GentlyCongratu
lations
C11SClass of 2011
As a child, Michael Biondiwas always shy and quietaround both family and
friends. But after being enrolled in
a Taekwondo class by his parents at
11 years old, the Cliftonite diligent-
ly trained and worked his way up
the ranks, achieving the distin-
guished rank of second degree
black belt earlier this year. And he
certainly came out of his shell.
The self discipline and life les-
sons learned in that class motivated
him to pursue his interests and ulti-
mately realize his dream of becom-
ing a news anchor.
“I wanted Matt Lauer’s job, that
was my dream job,” laughed
Biondi. As a young boy, he would
get up with his parents and watch
The Today Show in the mornings,
hoping that one day he could be on
TV just like his idol.
However, he first needed to get
over his shyness before even
dreaming of stepping in front of a
camera. The remedy came in the
form of Taekwondo.
“My parents told me about it and it
was a kind of got nothing to lose situ-
ation,” explained Biondi. “I needed a
big confidence booster and physical
activity in my life. This was the first
option and it definitely paid off.
Without Taekwondo, I would not be
able to do any of the stuff I’m doing
today. My grades went up, my confi-
dence went up, I’ve made more friends
and I’m a better person overall.”
The senior earned his first black
belt at 15 years old in a six hour test
and received his second degree belt
earlier this year.
“It was more based on tech-
nique,” he said. “The mental focus
and ability to concentrate, especial-
ly with difficult tasks like breaking
cinder block and other tasks you
though you couldn’t complete.”
As a freshman at CHS, Biondi
learned of the CAST program and,
armed with newfound confidence,
enrolled the following year as a
sophomore.
Michael Biondi during his second degree black belt test.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 54
“It was a test to see if this was
the career I wanted to pursue,” he
said. “After that, I knew I wanted
to pursue it after high school and
that led to me becoming a morning
news anchor.”
Biondi was among the 30 stu-
dents who tried out for the job lead-
ing up to senior year, earning one
of the coveted 12 positions.
“I had a lot of support from fami-
ly and friends,” he said. “Hopefully
that becomes a stepping stone for
something greater in the future.”
Biondi said that his experiences in
CAST, particularly with Mr.
McCunney, will prove to be useful
down the road. “He’s very dedicated
and his dedication rubs off on you in
hard work and you exceed your
goals, exceed for limits,” said
Biondi. “The knowledge that is pre-
sented to you, the teachers are
always there to help you. CAST is a
great starting point for the future.”
Beyond cast, Biondi had other
influences at CHS. The graduating
senior spent four years with Coach
John Pontes in spring track, a per-
son he counts among his greatest
influences in high school.
“He’s very patient and under-
standing and he always wants to help
you become a better athlete, a better
person,” said Biondi. “But more
than anything, he enjoys seeing
those alumni that come back as suc-
cessful men and women. As a
coach, he strives to produce success-
ful and productive individuals.”
The senior also credited Dr.
Greenwald with improving his writ-
ing skills in English AP this year.
“She’s really helped my writing,”
he said. “In my career, it will help to
have good writing above all else. The
Professors at Montclair State (where
he will be enrolled this fall in the
broadcasting program) said that you
have to be a great writer and create
news for yourself and if you’re lucky,
you go behind the camera.”
Biondi said the school offers one
of the best programs in the area,
and the proximity to the city will
present many opportunities.
“NBC and ESPN would be my
two dream companies,” he said.
“News or sports, I’d love to work
for either one day.”
Michael Biondi
C
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 55
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Avery Rosenberg: Summer camp counselor.
Alexir Vargas: Abercrombie.
Itati Aburto: Soccer Center and Zinburger.
Vetri Velan: Last summer I was a counselor-
in-training at the Recreation Department’s
“Summer Days in the Park.” I have also vol-
unteered with the Recreation Department and
Clifton Public Library for all four years.
Katelyn King: Over the summer I have been
working at Christ Church’s Nursery School
in Bloomfield, Glen Ridge.
Charles Bucsko Jr.: I never held a job
before, but I’m really trying hard to find one.
I have volunteered a lot.
Victoria Keenan: Dipps Ice Cream, Hollister
Co., Medical Imaging Center, and a law firm.
Kaitlin Fusco: Dipps Ice Cream.
Desiree Douglas: I’ve never had a job.
Jagoda Siembida: During my junior year I
was an English tutor for a short period of
time. Currently I work at Dunkin’ Donuts.
Amanda Zaccone: I worked at the YMCA
Daycare. Now I work as a Zumba instructor
and I am also a skating car hop at Sonic.
Nicole Sullivan: Clifton Boys and Girls
Club as a lifeguard during my junior year.
Michael Biondi: Hot Bagels Abroad,
Montclair Beach Club, and Dollar Tree.
Nicholas Surgent: Clifton Western umpire.
Kelly Degen: At Stop and Shop in Clifton
Commons since December 2009.
Hana Mustafa: I never had a job, but I intern
at an attorney’s office.
Eryka Baez: Spirit Halloween.
Kelly La Forgia: Mandee on Route 3, and
The Village Gourmet.
Tiffany Ojeda: During high school I have
worked in five jobs. I worked at Popeye’s for
eight months, Food Basics for two months,
Big Messages for one month, Newman &
Andriuzzi for three months, and now I am
currently working at Victoria’s Secret.
Where have you worked in high school?
These CHS seniors all work at The Clifton Little School on Broad St. From left is Christy Zoecklein,Bianca Madrigal, Julian Lorenzo, Eman Elnatshe and Stefania Pica.
Q&A
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 56
Julianne Lorenzo: I work at
Clifton Little School Daycare.
Karla Barrientos: Sadly, I have not
had one single stable job in high
school.
Dylan Wong: The NJ Rock Gym, a
rock climbing facility in Fair Lawn.
Christy Zoecklein: Clifton Little
School Daycare.
Kevin Lorenc: I didn’t have a job.
Priya Shah: Walgreens Pharmacy.
Anna Weglinski: At Chefski’s
Restaurant, and at Newark Liberty
International Airport as a Passenger
Service Agent.
Linda Minetto: In a restaurant
making food, and part-time on the
weekends in a taxi company receiv-
ing calls and sending the drivers.
Steven Giangrande: At Party Fair
in Cedar Grove. It is a fun place.
Nicholas Jacobus: As a lifeguard
at Forest Hills Field Club.
Jamie Lynn France: I started
working at Walgreens my senior
year, and was a student teacher at
my dance studio.
Shannon Siedzik: I’ve held sever-
al jobs. I’m currently at Joe’s Crab
Shack.
Grecia Villasante: I worked at a
printing company in Garfield.
Carlos Zapata: Zaicargo.
Tracy Jackson: Baskinger’s.
Andrew Wolforth: Applegates.
Cody Graham: Auto Zone, Zoned
4 Toys, S & J Masons, TC Snow
Removal.
Fernando Ramirez: Supermarket.
Craig Beranic: KMart, Brookdale
Cycle, and a gas station.
Erica Mason: I got my first job
scooping ice cream at the Montclair
Applegate Farms Freshman year.
Now I work at Kohl’s.
Julissa Mary: School #2.
Matt Rayner: ShopRite and
Westmount Country Club.
Joshua Pulgarin: At a bagel store.
Oskar Musiel: Dollar Tree.
Roberto Resposo: K-Mart,
Giovanni’s Pizzeria, P & A Auto.
Abanoub Sand: Westmount
Country Club.
Emily Komarczyk: Applegate
Farms Homemade Ice Cream.
Madison Palza: Simply Dance
Performances 2008-2011.
Ryan Price: Unclaimed Freight.
Billy Kaousias: Country Club
Towers as a lifeguard, and
Westmount Country Club.
Christina Ihle: I have worked as a
tutor in math, and also at CUPS.
Brian Bender: I have been a proud
member of the Mustang Marching
Band, Concert Band, Brass Band,
Concert Choir, Madrigals, Spring
Musical, Orchestra, and the Yearbook
Staff. I have served as president of
the Tri-M Music Honor Society, and
president of the Drama Club.
Stephanie Hernandez: During
CHS, I worked as a receptionist at
an office called SST Corporation.
Zahra Ayoub: I’ve worked as a
cashier and a filing clerk.
Valentina Correa: I’ve worked at
Michael’s Arts & Crafts, and CUPS
Frozen Yogurt.
Edward Obssuth: I worked at a
garden center for about two years,
which taught me a lot. Ironically, it
taught me nothing about plants, but
rather how to deal with people in a
professional manner. It has also
given me a nice view into the busi-
ness world.
Catalina Gil: I haven’t worked.
Karolina Dtugosz: As aJonathan Escobar and RicardoAlvarez work at Clifton IHOP.
Hana Mustafa Nicholas Jacobus Chelsea Lopez Daniel Green Itati Aburto
Q&A Where have you worked in high school?
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 57
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 58
sophomore in Garfield in a Polish
store called Piast, and now, as a
senior, I work at Chuck E. Cheese.
Justine Zawisza: I worked at
Allwood Bakery selling cookies,
cakes and other delicious desserts.
Lina Jaramillo: During high
school I have worked at Kohl’s.
Ruchi Shah: At Kumon Math and
Reading Learning Center as a
teaching assistant. Having initially
been a student there, I’ve had the
unique privilege of experiencing
the environment from both per-
spectives.
Sonja Shirak: I was an intern at
Saint Mary’s Hospital and enjoyed
my time there.
Sal Bonafede: I volunteered at St.
Joseph’s Hospital.
Kaitlyn Windt: At Kmart.
Michael Phillips: I worked as a
lifeguard the summer of my sopho-
more year. I never knew that doing
nothing all day in the summer sun
could be so miserable.
Moe K. Sawalhi: I have worked for
the Clifton Community School the
last three years and have volun-
teered/worked in and around the
city of Clifton.
Q&A Where have you worked in high school?
Amanda Zaccone is a skating car hop at Sonic on Rt. 46. Nicholas Gordon works forMr. Cupcakes on Van Houten Ave.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 59
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Ryan Hayes: Shipping warehouse.
Sufian Mahmoud: I have helped at
my family’s business, Barry’s
Bagel & Deli on Market Street in
Clifton.
Jamilla Hemeid: Annie Sez,
Walgreens Pharmacy, CUPS, and
Zinburger.
Genova Martinez: At KFC.
Amanda Greco: I started working
at ShopRite of Bloomfield in
November. I am a cashier.
Leslie Rodriguez: I have worked in
tutoring, Kmart, a restaurant, and
babysitting during my high school
years.
Sarah Melnik: At the Montclair
YMCA Family Center.
Stefania Pica: At the Clifton Little
School.
Jessica Kunadia: I have worked at
Athenia Foodmart and Dr.
Paternoster’s dentist office
throughout the course of high
school.
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It’s not exactly the type of profession most would
consider a dream job, but for Shannon Siedzik, noth-
ing could be more exciting than operating her own
funeral home. She never considered it as a career until
accepting an internship at Marrocco’s Memorial Chapel.
“I interned at two years ago,” she said. “They’re fam-
ily friends, so I just fell into it I guess, and it just caught
my interest from there.” Siedzik spent two months greet-
ing people, seeing how the business operates.
“I have an interest in studying the body and stuff like
that,” she added. “I wanted to become a nurse but then
I picked this up and really liked it. I really can’t explain
it, but I just don’t see myself working with living peo-
ple.” This fall, Siedzik will head to St. Elizabeth’s to
study Biology. The standout Mustang defender will also
continue her sports career at the college.
“Their coach heard I played soccer and came to one of
my games,” said Siedzik. “He said there’s no sense in
wasting talent. I’ll be the first one in my family to play
soccer in college.”
The Cliftonite has had a life-long affair with the sport,
thanks to her uncle, Bob D’Arco. “I danced before I ever
played soccer and my uncle got me into it one year when
we were on vacation,” recalled Siedzik. “I picked it up and
didn’t want to let it go.”
Coming up through the Clifton Stallions Traveling
program (where she is still active), Siedzik evolved into
a star defender on Clifton’s Lady Mustang team in high
school. During her four years at CHS, Clifton was twice
the co-champion in Passaic County, ultimately claiming
sole possession of the title this season.
For her final two seasons, Siedzik was coached by Stan
Lembryk. “I went to his camps when I was little,” she
recalled. “He was a big influence and without him, I don’t
think my life would have stayed on track. I went down the
wrong road for a bit and he put me on the right road. When
the season comes around, I’m doing homework and soc-
cer, that’s my thing.”
Any remaining free time is generally consumed by
either work of volunteering with her mother, Ann, at the
Cheer Me Up Foundation. “I’m very independent. I’ve
always had to pay for my own things: cars, cell phone,”
she said. Siedzik has worked since 16, and is currently
employed by Joe’s Crab Shack, though she will miss
some time after breaking her ankle in a soccer match.
Siedzik is slated for a four month recovery and hopes
to be ready in time for pre-season this fall at St.
Elizabeth. After she receives her Bachelor’s in four
years, Siedzik must then enroll in a mortuary science
program. She hopes to attend an online course at
Stanford, with the goal of one day opening her own
funeral home in New York City.
“I want to do famous dead people,” she laughed. “It’s
a big dream, so I’m hoping to get out there. I have no
doubts at all about not liking this. I’m going to do this
for the rest of my life.”
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 60
Michelle Siedzik, younger sister Shannon and mom Ann.
By Joe Hawrylko
WORK WITH THE DEADShannon Siedzik wants to Own a Funeral HomeCongratu
lations
C11SClass of 2011
On May 26, Death came callingfor Brian Bender. Figuratively
speaking of course—the senior
was the first victim in an all day drunk
driving awareness event coordinated by
the CHS Drama Club, advisor Mrs.
Eisenmenger and Mr. Baker.
In America, drunk driving claims the
life of a teenager every 16 minutes. The
deceased is not always the driver, but pas-
sengers, innocent bystanders and others.
To stress the impact of this nation-wide
crisis, the Drama Club gathered volun-
teers to ‘die’ during the school day, with
the victim being plucked from class only
to return later wearing make up to appear
dead.
Students proceed throughout the rest of
the day without speaking to illustrate the
impact of drunk driving on young people,
and to serve as a reminder leading up to
Memorial Day, prom and graduation.
Bender, the Drama Club President and
four year member, assisted in the coordi-
nation of the event. Described by his AP
history teacher Mr. Rodgers as a
Renaissance man, Bender is a student of
many skills. Besides his involvement
with acting and the drama club, the senior
is an accomplished musician and singer.
Bender’s musical endeavors include four years with
the Marching Mustangs, the Concert Band, the Brass
Band, Concert Choir and Orchestra. The Senior also
performed in each of the spring musicals, and is a four
year member of the Tri-M Modern Music Masters Honor
Society, serving as president this past year.
Bender also excels in traditional academics, attending
the Academic Awards all four years as a Distinguished
recipient. He was inducted to the National Honor
Society last year and was selected to make a speech on
service at this year’s ceremony.
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Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Avery Rosenberg: Ms. Bariello’s biology.
Alexir Vargas: Biology.
Itati Aburto: Biology with Mrs. Dutch soph-
omore year.
Katelyn King: My favorite class of my
entire four years of high school was orchestra.
It was here that I learned what it is like to be
a true musician. I also met some of my clos-
est friends in this class.
Jagoda Siembida: I enjoyed many of my
classes, but the one that I will look back on is
English with Ms. Saddik, Period Four. I have
always liked reading, but Ms. Saddik makes
every literary work come to life by using
entertaining demonstrations, and relating lit-
erature to society and even every day life.
Paige Sciarrino: Mr Hlat’s History class way
back in freshman year.
Victoria Pugliese: Mrs. Rogers English III
class.
What was your favorite class?
Tiffany Ojeda cited English teacher Mr. Dominianni, who made English fun and vocabulary easy.
Q&A
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 63
Amanda Zaccone: Choir. In ninth
and tenth grade I had Mrs. Novak,
a wonderful woman. Junior and
senior years I had Mr. Hiem who
did well for being the new guy.
Nicole Sullivan: Dr. Greenwald’s
sixth period AP English class. We
learned a lot and I enjoyed the dis-
cussions about the books.
Michael Biondi: Dr. Greenwald’s
passion for literature was conta-
gious and she always made me feel
like any goal, school or outside
related, could be accomplished with
an optimistic approach.
Nicholas Surgent: Mrs. Zarabi’s
English Honors in sophomore year
and Band class all four years.
Kelly Degen: My French four class
with Madame Graff because every
day we had a lot of fun together and
there was never a dull moment.
Hana Mustafa: I don’t have a
favorite class. I do good in all my
classes, so I like them equally.
Eryka Baez: Phys Ed.
Kelly La Forgia: Gym and Mrs.
Dennison’s American History II.
Tiffany Ojeda: My favorite class is
my English class with Mr.
Dominianni. He made the class
very easy and he made it funny. He
would come up with funny jokes for
every vocabulary word so it could
help us to remember the term.
Julianne Lorenzo: CAST.
Jessica Jacobus: Sophomore year
Biology.
Karla Barrientos: Mr. Ashworth’s
English class freshman year.
Dylan Wong: Mrs. Trivedi’s Tech
Draft class. We built and tested
bridges, clocks and Knex roller
coasters. Mrs. Trivedi understood
our personalities and wasn’t afraid
to joke around with us.
Christy Zoecklein: CAST class.
Bianca Madrigal: Mr. McCunney
and the CAST program...the best.
Kevin Lorenc: Both years of
Chemistry with Mr. Chilowicz.
Daniel Green: Mr. Brach’s AP
Calculus class was the hardest class
I took but it was also the most fun.
Linda Minetto: Spanish.
Steven Giangrande: Auto Tech.
Nicholas Jacobus: CAST.
Jamie Lynn France: Dance. I have
been dancing since I was two, so it
helped me improve my technique.
Ricardo Alvarez: History.
Fawzi Abdelgani: Health class
with Dr. Casale.
Shannon Siedzik: Mr. Ashworth’s
English class senior year.
Grecia Villasante: I had the best
English teachers.
Cody Morrison: Ms. Carey’s and
Mrs. Eisenmenger’s.
Tracy Jackson: Biology.
Cody Graham: Shop class with
Mr. Wash.
Andrew Wolforth:Psychology.
Fernando Ramirez: Mr. Ashworth’s
class.
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 64
Queverli Gonzalez: JROTC.
Craig Beranic: Junior year Art
class with Mrs. Fox.
Erica Mason: Art where there is no
right or wrong way to do things.
You make up your own rules and
express yourself in ways that you
can’t with words.
Charles Bucsko Jr.: Food and
Nutrition class and Social Studies
with Mr. Lotito.
Victoria Keenan: English III with
Mrs. Rogers. She’s such an inspir-
ing teacher. She makes what you’re
reading fun and interesting.
Kaitlin Fusco: AP US History I
with Mr. Rogers.
Brittney Hagerman: Sign.
Desiree Douglas: English III with
Mrs. Rogers in junior year.
Emily Komarczyk: Mr. Roger’s
freshman Honors History class.
Iwona Jadamiec: To be honest,
German, although it was very chal-
lenging. Frau Podesta is an amaz-
ing teacher that made German come
alive and made me love the class.
Andrew Tichacek: English.
Dylan Vasser: Freshman year
Spanish with Mrs. Makridas. This
year English with Mr. Ashworth.
Ryan Price: Eighth period, south
wing, with the man himself, Mr.
Presley, Philosophy.
Chelsea Lopez: It’s between
English and CAST. Both allowed
me to express myself through dif-
ferent mediums, video and writing.
Florence Maglente: My art classes.
Julissa Mary: Co-op class.
Matt Rayner: Lunch.
Joshua Pulgarin: Mechanics.
Tony Allen: American History II
with Mr. Feckina playing basketball
with the trash can as the hoop and
the paper ball as the basketball.
Oksar Musiel: Gym.
Mark Oliver: Sex Ed.
Kate Windt with Dr. Greenwald.
What was your favorite class?Q&A
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June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 65
Roberto Resposo: Honors History.
Abanoub Sand: Eighth period
freshman year History Honors.
Kenny Morera: Gym.
Christina Ihle: College Accounting
with Mrs. Contri was great with our
problem of the day and the account-
ing song. Second, Pre-Calculus
with Mrs. Brach was amazing. We
learned a lot while having a blast.
Ryan Bergen: History.
Brian Bender: Band, Choir and
Honors/AP History with Mr. Rogers,
Mr. Vancheri and Mr. Henry.
Stephanie Hernandez: Ms. Graff’s
French Four AP class who always
made the class fun to go to and we
all became like a little family.
Zahra Ayoub: Mr. Newman.
Valentina Correa: Sophomore year
Biology with Mr. Dutch and 12th
grade Health class with Dr. Casale.
Catalina Gil: French.
Lina Jaramillo: Madame Graff
made learning French fun and I
think my whole class would agree.
Carlos Escobar: History.
Marya Kamcera: It has to be
European History with Mr. Rogers.
Genova Martinez: Writing class.
Ryan Hayes: History.
Divya Patel: AP English class. I
have never seen a group of people
so absorbed in what they are doing,
and I’m going to miss everyone.
Dr. Greenwald inspires each and
every one of us to express our inner
thoughts and feelings.
Edward Obssuth: Biology with
Mrs. Tobey. She made the materi-
al interesting, and the class in gen-
eral was usually fun. She put
things in a way that made them
easy to understand, and she was
always funny, energetic, kind and
very helpful.
Karolina Dtugosz: Sign Language.
Justine Zawisza: My favorite class
was American History II with Mrs.
Dennison which I had in my junior
year. Besides having such an amaz-
ing teacher, I also enjoyed watching
the numerous movie we saw and the
projects we did throughout the year.
Sonja Shirak: Junior year English
with Mrs. Rogers; a lot of fun and
she taught me valuable things.
Sal Bonafede: A three-way tie
between Mr. Henry’s U.S. History
class, Mr. Chilowicz’s AP Chem
class and Mrs. Brach’s AP Calculus
class. All were fun, interesting and
easy enough to keep our attention.
Kaitlyn Windt: English
Jessica Gonzaga: My favorite class
was Mr. Meck’s Biology class
freshman year because he taught us
effectively, we learned a lot, and we
had a few laughs.
Isamar Herrera: Office work.
Jamilla Hemeid: Mrs. Sauchelli’s
Art Workshop.
Moe K. Sawalhi: CAST II with Mr.
Dixon.
Amanda Greco: My favorite class
was Miss Chrobak’s General Art
class freshman year. She is one of
my favorite teachers and she helped
me stay true to my artistic side.
Leslie Rodriguez: My favorite
class was no class in particular.
Most of my classes caught my
attention.
Sarah Melnik: Sign Language
because Mrs. Lesler made it a fun.
Stefania Pica: CAST.
Jessica Kunadia: Of all the amaz-
ing classes I have had over the past
four years, I find it difficult to pin-
point just one. I really enjoy my AP
English and Calculus this year, but I
also enjoyed my Chemistry and
History courses over the years too.
With so many wonderful teachers
and classmates, it’s really too hard
to choose.
Marietta Steransak with Environmental Science students.
CAST teacher Alvin Dixon withJennifer Narciso.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 66
While many seniors will be embarking onnew journeys this fall, few will be traveling
as far as Jagoda Siembida, who will be in
Poland studying to become a doctor.
“It was something I’ve always wanted to do,” said the
senior, who came to America with
her parents when she was just one.
“I’ve always liked science since I
was little. And every doctor visit
was always interested to me. My
whole life, I’ve wanted to do some-
thing in the medical field.”
Though she’s known for some
time that she’d be studying medicine
in college, Siembida did not start
looking for international options
until she hit high school.
“I found out about the program in
my freshman year of high school,”
she said. Siembida will either attend
Poznan University of Medical
Sciences or the Jagiellonin
University Medical College, both of which are near her
hometown of Rzeszow. “It’s one of the best programs
there. It’s a medical program in the country I was born.
It seemed to be all pluses for me. It’s going to be a won-
derful opportunity.”
The soon-to-be graduate attended interviews in New
York City for admission into the six year program. Once
completed, she will then take on a one year internship and
apply for residency.
After her education and training is complete, Siembida
will return to the US to pursue her
career.
“I have most of my family out
there. Europe in general has very
beautiful cities and it’s a very beauti-
ful place,” she said. “I don’t consid-
er it my homecountry—I live in
America. But it’s definitely a place I
want to spend my college years at.
The school is in English and it;’s
accredited by the Dept. of
Education. It’s as if I’d be studying
here, except I just have to pass a
board exam when I come back.”
Siembida took a challenging
course load at CHS to ready for col-
lege.
“I took AP bio, so that’s going to help. I wasn’t able to
take AP chem. And this year, I have science and math
courses that will probably help me,” said Siembida, who
also is enrolled in physics AP. “I always had 90s and
always tried to do my best. I’m graduating in the top 10
percent of my class, so I’m proud of that.”
She also credits her parents with helping her pursue
her dreams. “They were never really strict. I guess they
raised me well,” Siembida said. “It made me a good stu-
dent and everything they did influenced me. They told
me a medical career is the best decision you can make.”
The CHS graduate is still undecided as to her exact
path, but has no doubts that she’ll enjoy the ride.
“I have a lot in mind. Maybe I’ll be a pediatrician or
a regular physician,” she said. “I guess we’ll see in six
years.”
By Joe Hawrylko
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTJagoda Siembida will study to become a doctor in PolandCongratu
lations
C11SClass of 2011
You’re a Neighbor,Not a Number.
TomTobinAgency.com BillEljouzi.com
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 67
Wow Your Guests with An
Authentic NY-
Style Pushcartat Your Graduation Party!
For Details Call Dave at 973-773-4401www.pushcarts.com • [email protected]
Rent for $150/Day for Special Events, Grand Openings and
Fund Raisers!Ice Cream Carts, Cotton CandyCarts, Popcorn Carts, Hot Dog
Carts and Pretzel Carts
Mini-cart!Purchase Only for $500!
A RealCliftonOriginal!
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 68
C
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 69
Though he has manyinterests, Sal Bonafede is
first a man of faith. The
devout Christian said it is religious
upbringing that shapes his beliefs
and guides him through life.
“When I was younger, I went to
Catholic school at St. Andrew’s.
That was where I got my basic
religious education,” he said.
“From there, I transfered over
to a Christian church and every-
thing just clicked more,” said the
CHS grad, who now attends the
Hawthorne Gospel Church. “I
didn’t accept Christ as my true
savior until I was 17 years old,
when I could truly appreciate it
really.”
“It’s an important part of my
life. It just makes it so much bet-
ter and kind of gives me a sense of
living and also a purpose,” he con-
tinued. “Being a Christian, I guess
it’s a hard life, but I like it. It
makes me want to be the best I can
be. If you live for God, you’re
being the best person you can be.”
Though Bonafede has a busy
schedule due to school, he regular-
ly attends Bible study and Sunday
School in Hawthorne. Such cours-
es have helped him establish a
core set of values that guides him.
“There’s a strict set of morals
that I follow in my life,” he contin-
ued. “It’s made me a better person
and my friends love it. It makes
my life more balanced. If I wasn’t
a Christian, I don’t know why I’d
ascertain the goals I have.”
It is the Christian ethos of com-
passion for others that partially
inspired Bonafede to pursue a
career in the medical field.
“My grandfather (Sal), I
watched him go through cancer
and saw how doctors treated him,
how he was cared for in the nurs-
ing home and in his final days,” he
recalled. Bonafede’s grandfather
passed in 2005, a little over a year
after being diagnosed. “Before he
died, I decided that I want to try to
prevent suffering like that in this
world.”
The CHS senior just recently
completed his internship program
at St. Joseph’s Hospital, which
started in October 2010.
Sal Bonafede (left) performing with Victor Jurczenia at the talent show.
By Joe Hawrylko
FAITH & MEDICINEReligion Helps Shape Sal Bonafede’s LifeCongratu
lations
C11SClass of 2011
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 70
“You start out in ER and get of
feel of a day at the hospital,” he
said. “You see all the patients that
come in and see how doctors and
nurses work. The first thing you’re
taught is how to take vitals.”
After spending time in the ER,
volunteers are allowed to select a
department and Bonafede chose
pediatric Oncology and
Hematology, which is the focus of
cancers and diseases of the blood.
“There as this kid Manny, I got
to know his mother as well. I
never really discussed what kind
of cancer he has—that’s a sensi-
tive issue—but he just fell in love
with me and he’s just so nice,”
recalled Bonafede. “I’d always
play videogames with him or
Monopoly. Before he knew my
name he would always say to me,
‘my friend.’”
The experience helped rein-
force Bonafede’s desire to become
a doctor, which he’s had since he
was about 13 years old.
Bonafede will pursue that
career at Rutgers Newark this fall,
where he will study Biomedical
Engineering on a pre-med track.
“If I can’t handle the course
load or being a doctor, biomedical
engineering still fits,” he said.
“But I definitely want to go work
in a hospital.”
A. Pesoli
F. Gastone T. Rojo
C. Herrmann F. Gentile G. Monaco
M. ValentineB. Sobczak
St. Andrew the Apostle School418 Mt. Prospect Ave. Clifton • 973.473.3711www.StAndrewsSchoolClifton.catholicweb.com
Congratulations to the Class of 2011!
C. Castillo S. ContrerasE. Greene N. Dizon A. AldenA. Szeliga
U. Naik F. Spinelli
M. Boccafogli K. Gellido
E. AriasD. Pereira
Call and Register Now for our September Classes
E. DeTorresW. Goehrig
K. Finkler
SUMMER EXPERIENCE!
July 5-29
Call for details...
Sal Bonafede in his yearbook photo.
C
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 71
Congratulations
C11SClass of 2011
Katherine Lorenzo: Having gym class with
my best friend all four years.
Kevin Calapa-Hernandez: Attending the
after school events. Going to see sports
events like football games (including the
amazing sound of the band) the soccer
games, the tennis matches and so on. I also
enjoyed the art exhibits and plays.
Bhavin Shah: Each class, each sport, each
activity, each friend and each event has been
enjoyable and memorable in its own way.
Anthony Vilchez: Eating lunch with my
friends.
Kelly Yoo: Playing freshman volleyball.
Nicole Sullivan: I will never forget the
enjoyment and pride I felt every time we
heard the applause as we finished playing the
music during an orchestra concert. Standing
up to bow, I could never help but smile at the
accomplishment of playing great music and
playing it well.
Michael Biondi: Presenting the morning
news each day. I feel like this is the first step
to achieving my goals, big and small, in the
broadcasting field.
Nicholas Surgent: Playing at football games
and parades with the Mustang Band and also
the trips to Quebec and San Francisco.
Kelly Degen: My most fond memory of high
school was traveling to Quebec my junior
year with the Mustang Marching Band and
marching in the Carnival de Quebec parade.
Eryka Baez: The feeling when we finally
won Counties in soccer without having the
word “co” in front of it.
Kelly La Forgia: Playing softball every
March at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports in
Disney, and the end of my junior year.
Although my classes were challenging and
the stress of preparing for college was just
beginning, it was always fun and holds a lot
of great memories.
What was your most fond memory of high school?
Many students fondly recalled the CAST Program, the daily broadcasts and Mr. Mike McCunney.
Q&A
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 72
Dear Readers:Every summer, libraries across the country
sponsor motivational summer reading programs tokeep children reading while out of school. Thisyear the program themes are “One World: ManyStories” for younger children and “You are Here”for teens. In past years, the library has been ableto reward its readers with a modest gift, like abook or a scoop of frozen yogurt. Part of oursummer reading program’s success depends onthese types of gifts.
In these times of economic hardships, wheneveryone’s budget is stretched thin, these generousvendors and merchants have still found a way tohelp support their community and its children vialibrary programs. The Clifton Public Librarywould like to thank the follow generous programsupporters for their greatly appreciated donations:
Allwood Cinema 696 Market StreetClifton, NJ 07012973-778-9774
Applebee’s375 Rt.3 East
Clifton, NJ 07014973-471-6161
Bobo’s Gourmet Frozen Yogurt
136 Clifton AvenueClifton, NJ 07012973-779-8229
Chevys 375 Rt. 3 East
Clifton, NJ 07014973-777-6277
Corner Bakery Café850 Rt. 3, Suite 111Clifton, NJ 07012973-272-1422
Five Below386 Rt. 3
Clifton, NJ 07011973-410-9920
Garden Palace Lanes42 Lakeview AvenueClifton, NJ 07011973-478-5750
Master Pizza1326 Main Avenue
Clifton, NJ 07011-2215973-772-4333
Pizzeria Uno426 Rt. 3 West
Clifton, NJ 07014973-574-1303
Target30 Kingsland RoadClifton, NJ 07011973-330-0002
Tomahawk Promotions
1288 Main AvenueClifton, NJ 07011973-253-4400
White Castle1341 Main AvenueClifton, NJ 07011973-772-0335
Please support these generous vendors by frequent-ing their various establishments and keeping localbusinesses strong.
Thank you.Candice BrownDirector, Clifton Public Library
Kaitlin Fusco: All of the tangents my AP Euro class
went on. Even review sessions were fun!
Tiffany Ojeda: Meeting my best friend who I call my
sister Lisandra, and also Jaida. I don’t know what I
would do without them. They know everything about
me and stuck by my side through all my hardships.
Paige Sciarrino: Being a part of the production of
“The Glass Menagerie” where I played Laura.
Julianne Lorenzo: Pine Forest Cheerleading Camp.
Jessica Jacobus: Florida for softball spring training.
Karla Barrientos: Stepping foot into Ms. Sarchelli’s
Art History class every day of senior year.
Dylan Wong: Beating Montville’s lacrosse team, 16-
15, in an overtime upset on their home field.
Christy Zoecklein: My most fond memory of high
school is going to Disney World in Florida for cheer-
leading in freshman year, and attending cheerleading
camp with all my friends.
Bianca Madrigal: Being a cheerleader all four years
of high school. I always had my best friends on my
team and there was never a dull moment.
Kevin Lorenc: Attending the Rotary Youth
Leadership Awards. I learned more in that week than
I did in school.
Priya Shah: Just the entire school experience. I have
countless memories with my friends.
Daniel Green: My most fond memories of high
school are of running cross country in the fall.
Anna Weglinski: Attending the Distinguished
Academic Awards dinner. Senior year was the first
time that I attended the dinner.
Linda Minetto: When I was in Kennedy and me and
my friends stood up for a guy who was being jumped
in the parking lot.
Nicholas Jacobus: I will always remember camping
after the homecoming dance.
Jamie Lynn France:On homecoming weekend I went
camping with all of my friends.
Hana Mustafa: The young years.
Carlos Zapata: Crazy nights with good friends.
Tracy Jackson: The day I met Michelle Nahass.
Cody Graham: When a lot of my teachers were
absent and I spent the whole day in shop class.
Andrew Wolforth: Being with friends.
Fernando Ramirez: Ashworth’s class.
Queverli Gonzalez: JROTC drill camps.
Craig Beranic: Bugging out with friends.
Florence Maglente: The lip syncing contest.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 73
Sarah Melnik: When the swim
team TPd the coaches and boys
houses before swim meets.
Mark Oliver: Senior Night.
Abanoub Sand: Having fun while
learning with amazing people.
Emily Komarczyk: When I went
to Quebec with the Mustang
Marching Band my junior year, the
experience of a lifetime.
Iwona Jadamiec: Fridays in German
class we speak only German.
Everyone gets a kick out of it.
Madison Palza: Discussions in
Ashworth’s class and the experi-
ence in Dance class.
Andrew Tichacek: Marching in
the Columbus Day parade with the
Mustang Marching Band.
Avery Rosenberg: Danny Punales
coming to school in a banana suit.
Itati Aburto: My last three soccer
seasons, and winning Homecoming
Queen.
Vetri Velan: My three years in
Academic Decathlon and dancing
in the 2011 Asian Show.
Katelyn King: Junior year when I
stepped onto the stage first time as
the orchestra’s concertmaster.
Victoria Keenan: Meeting all the
friends I know and love today.
Desiree Douglas: Winning first
place in 2009 and 2010 in the
Passaic County Championship.
Jagoda Siembida: During my
freshman and sophomore years, I
ran track and field in the fall and
spring. I met new people that I am
still friends with. I will always
remember those harsh winter prac-
tices, and the meets during the
spring that lasted hours.
Dylan Vasser: Freshman years get-
ting kicked out of Spanish class.
Chelsea Lopez: Filming my Film
Fest project in NYC with the most
amazing people. It was difficult,
but we had lots of fun.
Johanna Suarez: Senior lunch.
Christina Ihle: Venturing to
Quebec City, Canada with the
band. I had never been out of the
country before that, and it was
something I will never forget.
Ryan Bergen: Winning the Passaic
County Championship in hockey
and making the Honor Roll.
Brian Bender: Going to Quebec
with the Marching Band, and wear-
ing a grass skirt in South Pacific.
Stephanie Hernandez: My most
fond memory of high school was
doing the Lip Sync Competition
senior year. My French IV class
decided to join last minute, and it
was a thrilling, nerve-wracking
experience. I’ll never forget how
much fun it was and the people
who did it with me.
Zahra Ayoub: Being with friends.
Valentina Correa: Rebuilding the
competitive cheerleading team in
Clifton with my best friends.
Catalina Gil: Having mostly all
my classes with Lesley Sanchez.
Lina Jaramillo: Winning division
champs at a cheer competition.
Marya Kamcera: Going to Six
Flags with the Key Club.
Divya Patel: Randomly bursting
into singing in the middle of the
north wing with Jasmine Lao.
Isamar Herrera: Junior year in
ASPIRE when we went to Liberty
Science Center on a field trip. I’m
never going to forget that.
Edward Obssuth: Working on
Stage Crew, which involved build-
ing the sets for our school produc-
tions and running the show.
Working backstage was great, and I
have made many friends by doing
it. I was able to talk about working
on the sets and running the show in
my college application essay,
which was an asset to my profile.
Justine Zawisza: Meeting people
whom I will be friends with for the
rest of my life, as well as attending
LMTI camp.
Kenny Morera: Telling jokes.
Ruchi Shah: This year’s Asian
Show, High DefinAsian, and my
four years on the tennis team.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 74
CL I F TON Ev e n t s …
A benefit concert for the NJ
Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals is on June 5 at
Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave.
Members of the Clifton band, The
Unknown, helped coordinate the
event, and will be joined by the
Zombie Mafia, The Dirty Stayouts,
Vagora and more. The show begins
at 2 pm and is open to all ages.
Proceeds from the $10 door charge
will benefit the SPCA. For info,
call 973-471-7767.
Cast Members from the RealHousewives of New Jersey will be
on hand as The Knight of Columbus
present the Army Tank Pull on June
26 from 8 am to 4 pm at Eddie
Mayo Park, 1100 Clifton Ave.
Teams of 20 are tasked with raising
funds. Deadline for team entry and
fundraising is June 7. Proceeds ben-
efit the Wounded Warrior Project
and Veterans and various Knights
charities. Call 973-472-0061 or
visit www.tankpullkofc.org.
The Dutch Hill Flea Market is on
June 4 from 9 am to 4 pm at Weasel
Brook Park off of Paulison Ave.
Rain date is June 11. The Residents
Association will hold a meeting on
June 16 at 7:30 pm at the Family
Fellowship, De Mott Ave. and
Second St. Call 973-365-2577.
Clifton Bands: August will once
again be our Music Edition. Relive
your glorydays or tell us about
where you’re going! We’re inter-
esting in all types of acts and bands.
Call 973-253-4400 or write to
St. Brendan Church, 154 East 1st
St., will hold a grocery auction on
June 12 at noon. The $10 cost
includes one small sheet and cof-
fee. Guests may bring food.
Reservations for tables of 10 or
more. Mail a check for tickets or
call 973-449-4862 after 3 pm.
A check for $4,500 was presented
to the Passaic County Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Prevention by Clifton Savings
Bank. The donation will be used to
help maintain the historical building
that serves as the Council's head-
quarters on the City Hall campus.
The CHS Class of ‘54 celebrated a group 75th birthday at The Brownstone onMay 13. A total of 73 attended, including the class teacher advisor, Marilyn VanHassel. Pictured from left is Barbara Chupick, Rita Foti, Terry Sullivan, IdaEinreinhofer, Barbara Den Herder, Ruth Kracht and Carolyn Connerton.
973-772-8451Roofing • Siding
Seamless Gutters Additions • Alterations
The Fifth Annual David’s Daywill take place on July 9 at the
Clifton Masonic Lodge, 1476 Van
Houten Ave. David’s Day is a cele-
bration of the life of David Nicholas
Porter, who lost his 14 month battle
against cancer (Wilms’ Tumor) on
Aug. 25, 2006. A fan of fun, motor-
cycles and all things green, his fam-
ily celebrated the first David’s Day
in his honor in July 2006. In his
memory, the Porter Clan estab-
lished The David Nicholas
Foundation, which features a
motorcycle ride, bbq and more.
Registration begins 9 am and the
ride starts at 11:30 later that day.
Riders will return at 1 pm for the
picnic. To get involved with the
motorcycle run, make a donation or
to purchase tickets, or for more
details visit the foundation at
www.thedavidnicholasfoundation.org
A fundraiser to benefit CliftonPolice Detective Tom Campbell is
on June 17 at 6:30
pm at the Boys &
Girls Club.
Tickets are $45. In
2001 he was diag-
nosed with a rare
disease called
Autoimmune hep-
atitis, which causes irreversible dam-
age to the liver and surrounding
organs. Although it did impose some
limitations, Campbell was able to
keep the disease under control with
medications. But last summer, his dis-
ease became advanced and impacted
his daily life. His liver was no longer
functioning and the medications that
kept him going for the last several
years had damaged his kidneys. He
began bleeding internally and had to
undergo several extended hospital
stays throughout the fall and winter
months. To attend, donate or help out,
call Det. Bob Bracken at
973�460�4255 or Det. Carmen
Bermudez 973�296�4713.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 75
CL I F TON Ev e n t s …
A benefit concert for the NJ
Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals is on June 5 at
Dingbatz, 620 Van Houten Ave.
Members of the Clifton band, The
Unknown, helped coordinate the
event, and will be joined by the
Zombie Mafia, The Dirty Stayouts,
Vagora and more. The show begins
at 2 pm and is open to all ages.
Proceeds from the $10 door charge
will benefit the SPCA. For info,
call 973-471-7767.
Cast Members from the RealHousewives of New Jersey will be
on hand as The Knight of Columbus
present the Army Tank Pull on June
26 from 8 am to 4 pm at Eddie
Mayo Park, 1100 Clifton Ave.
Teams of 20 are tasked with raising
funds. Deadline for team entry and
fundraising is June 7. Proceeds ben-
efit the Wounded Warrior Project
and Veterans and various Knights
charities. Call 973-472-0061 or
visit www.tankpullkofc.org.
The Dutch Hill Flea Market is on
June 4 from 9 am to 4 pm at Weasel
Brook Park off of Paulison Ave.
Rain date is June 11. The Residents
Association will hold a meeting on
June 16 at 7:30 pm at the Family
Fellowship, De Mott Ave. and
Second St. Call 973-365-2577.
Clifton Bands: August will once
again be our Music Edition. Relive
your glorydays or tell us about
where you’re going! We’re inter-
esting in all types of acts and bands.
Call 973-253-4400 or write to
St. Brendan Church, 154 East 1st
St., will hold a grocery auction on
June 12 at noon. The $10 cost
includes one small sheet and cof-
fee. Guests may bring food.
Reservations for tables of 10 or
more. Mail a check for tickets or
call 973-449-4862 after 3 pm.
A check for $4,500 was presented
to the Passaic County Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Prevention by Clifton Savings
Bank. The donation will be used to
help maintain the historical building
that serves as the Council's head-
quarters on the City Hall campus.
1232
Benjamin Moore Paints and much more...
Able Hardware745 Van Houten Ave.
973.773.4997Mon.-Fri. till 7pm
Sat. till 5pm
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 76
Photos by A.J. Sartor
MEMORIAL DAYCity-wide Observances, May 30, 2011
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 77
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 78
Sub-acute Care and Rehabilitation
HEALTH CARE CENTER
0002956341-01PREAKNESS HOSPITALThu, Oct 28, 20103 cols, 5.70 x 5.40"Process FreeMarge KrampfThe Record/Herald Newspu w chng Cristina
This ad is copyrightedby North Jersey Media Groupand may not be reproducedin any form, or replicatedin a similar version,without approval fromNorth Jersey Media Group.
inpatient
ventilator dependent & tracheostomy care: including
973-317-7020
Come See Our New Facility
305 Oldham Road, Wayne, NJ973-317-7020
www.passaiccountynj.org
Come See OurNew Facility
LEVELS OF CARE• Sub-acute Care and Rehabilitation• Long-term Skilled Nursing Care• Hospice, including Inpatient• Respite• Special Care Behavior Management Licensed by the NJ Department of Health and Senior Services
CLINICAL PROGRAMS• Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias• Neurological Disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis
• Mental Health• Respiratory: including Ventilator Dependent & Tracheostomy Care
• Peritoneal Dialysis
Providingquality care
for over 80 years
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 79
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 80
Vinny Dalbo ....................... 6/1Holly Kocsis........................ 6/1Timmy Spears ..................... 6/1Jonathan Borrajo................. 6/2Denise Magaster................. 6/2John Traier ......................... 6/2Karl Aponte........................ 6/3Jeffrey Angello.................... 6/4Thomas Lesch ..................... 6/4Rob Cone........................... 6/6Samantha Malenchak ......... 6/6Diane Canavan .................. 6/7Koreana Sabo .................... 6/8Robert Ciallella ................... 6/9Ava Nicole Genardi............ 6/9Larry Grasso .................... 6/10Joey Randazzo................. 6/10Nicole Carreno ................ 6/11
Adam Soder..................... 6/11Cindy Brevic Goldestein .... 6/13Anna Jurgowski ................ 6/13Ashley Parsons ................. 6/13 Christopher Stetz .............. 6/13Christopher Zaccone......... 6/13Danielle Dvorak................ 6/16Derek Dvorak ................... 6/16Stephanie Dvorak ............. 6/16Kristina Marchesani .......... 6/16Raymond Kuruc ................ 6/18Rafelina Reyes .................. 6/18
Tabitha Sosa..................... 6/18Aileen Haight ................... 6/20Alexander Conklin ............ 6/22Mike Skurski..................... 6/24Jack DeVries..................... 6/25Lori Homsany ................... 6/25Connie Musleh ................. 6/26Walter Vladyka ................ 6/27Marco Greco ................... 6/28Kristen Murcko.................. 6/28Monica Szewczyk ............ 6/29Robert Conklin.................. 6/30Christopher Lucas.............. 6/30
Bob & Carol Van Der Linda celebrate their 50th Anniversary on June 10. They were married in St. John’sLutheran Church. Brianna Mayer turned 21on May 29 and her camera shy niece Ava Genardi turns 13on June 9. niece. Jim Schubert Sr. will be 60 on June 19, wrote sister Barbara Vanchieri.
Birthdays & CelebrationsSend dates & [email protected]
Congratulations to Frank & Brenda (Ludvik) Calandrillo on their27th wedding anniversary on June 2. • Bob & Alice DeLiberto
who will be married 24 years on June 27. • Happy 29thAnniversary to Eileen & Ed Gasior on June 5. • Happy 60thAnniversary to Nicholas & Rose Rosella Quintavella on June 9.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 81
Bob & Carol Van Der Linda celebrate their 50th Anniversary on June 10. They were married in St. John’sLutheran Church. Brianna Mayer turned 21on May 29 and her camera shy niece Ava Genardi turns 13on June 9. niece. Jim Schubert Sr. will be 60 on June 19, wrote sister Barbara Vanchieri.
1036
Belated congratulations to lifetime sweethearts...Joe & Darlene Franek
wed 36 years on April 6.
Happy Birthday to Jane Justin who turns
7 on June 16.
Welcome to Shannon
Gulardo who was born onApril 18 to John and
Megan Gulardo.
Emma Nysk will turn 5 onJune 5. Her mom Margaret
will be 35 on June 11.
Happy Sweet 16 to Beki
Hafelfinger on June 16.
June 2011 • Clifton Merchant 82
• New Name…Same Fast & Friendly Serviceat a Wallet Friendly Price!
• Still Serving Kosher Certified Products• Less than 45 cents per ounce, ToppingsIncluded! Why Go Anywhere else?
$1Off Any MenuItem
Excludes Kiddie Cups &
Cones, Quarts, Cakes & Pies
Expires 6/30/11. Limit one coupon/person. Not valid with
any other offer or promotion. Clifton store only.
Teachers Kim (Carline)Dreher (at left) andDanielle Quinlan coordi-nated the 6th Annual Locksof Love Cut-a-thon atChristopher ColumbusMiddle School on May 23.Students, parents, friendsand neighbors donated atotal of 1,800 inches of hair(700 inches more than lastyear) which provides hair-pieces to children sufferingfrom long-term medicalhair loss from any diagno-sis. The haircuts were doneby stylists at Salon Ilona.
Former CouncilwomanGloria Kolodziej accepted aLifetime Achievement Awardfrom the Clifton OptimistClub on May 22 whileCoach Jack Whitingreceived the CommunityService Award. CliftonPolice Sgt. Billy Gibson wasthe Judge Joseph J. SalernoRespect for Law recipientand former NFLer and 1986CHS grad Dave Szott wasthe 2011 Friend of Youth.For more on the OptimistClub and its programs, callmember Ted Munley at973-473-2200 x112
CL I F TON Ev e n t s …
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Tomahawk Promotions
1288 main avenue
Clifton, nJ 07011
PRSRT STDUS Postage
PAIDPaTeRSon, nJPeRmiT no. 617
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