Passaic County Film Festival

Hana Tripathee

Tripathee returned to this year’s festival following her successful debut as a PCTI freshman.

Among 55 total film submissions, her 2022 film “COVID-19” brought home third place for a high school PSA. In our April 2022 edition, Tripathee explained that the PSA’s purpose was to inform more people about how they can stay safe from the disease.

It was an ambitious project that she filmed prior to Governor Phil Murphy’s mid-March policy to lift the school mask mandate, almost two years after schools entered their first lockdown.

“I had no idea that I won. When I found out, I was really shocked,” said Tripathee, 15. “I wasn’t too proud of my film, but my teacher kept telling me that it was really good because I was new at this.”

The outcome and feeling the pride of her loved ones allowed Tripathee to gain more confidence. She continued to hone her craft and submitted two films this year: “Tek-It-Cafune” and “Winter Blanket Drive PSA”.

“Tek-It-Cafune” is an experimental music video with Tripathee as its star. While working on it, Tripathee played around with the effects and animation.

Tripathee created “Winter Blanket Drive PSA” after speaking with her friend and fellow PCTI student, Muhammad Haseeb. Haseeb organized a winter blanket drive in December of 2022 to help homeless people in Paterson. The film’s purpose is showing the importance of Haseeb’s work in supporting Eva’s Village, located at 393 Main St. in Paterson. The fundraiser ended in February with nearly $2,000 across 41 donations.

“I enjoy the PSA category because it’s quick, short, and an easy video to make,” said Tripathee. “Hearing people’s messages through videos is really entertaining and inspiring.”

Similar to Saldivar, the biggest change to Tripathee’s filmmaking approach was planning ahead of time. She acknowledged that knowing which shots she needed helped to reduce the rush for “perfect” ones. She shot the PSA in Paterson and filmed her music video in Weasel Brook Park. “For the video, I wanted the scenery to be outside and bright,” said Tripathee.

Creating films is something that Tripathee would like to see in some form in her future. What first inspired and continues to inspire her to create these projects is seeing influencers or creators on the internet make their own videos. She added that Lazarski also provides encouragement and inspires her students to “try new things with film.”

One of the ways that Lazarski keeps things fresh for the students and herself is by incorporating a new challenge each year. This year, she focused on improving the pre-production process and instructed students to record video pitches instead of creating PowerPoint pitches. For juniors and seniors, Lazarski also instructs them to cast outside of their friend groups.

“I try to level-up in my own curriculum [each year] as I ask students to do the process,” she said. “What I’m most proud of and one of the things that keeps me going as a teacher is knowing [the students] are excited to learn more each year and are excited for their turn.”

Lazarski made specific mention of Tripathee’s own dedication to learning. As a summer adjunct at MSU for the past year, Lazarski recommended that Tripathee explore what their film program offers younger students. Tripathee took her advice and learned the skills Lazarski focuses on from another teacher.

“I’m so proud of her. It’s so cool and amazing,” said Lazarski. “I think [these experiences] will put [the student filmmakers] above so many others in terms of what they do.”

Tripathee has given those more immediate endeavors some consideration. “Moving forward, I want to cover more films in the area where I live,” said Tripathee. “There are a bunch of cool things to cover [in Clifton] and then, eventually, I’ll go bigger.”

The Passaic County Film Festival is sponsored by the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners with financial support from the Passaic County Cultural & Heritage Council from funds granted by the NJ State Council on the Arts, Bascom Corp., Lakeland Bank, Passaic County Community College Foundation and PSE&G Foundation.

Go to Facebook @PassaicCountyFilmCommission or find out more at visitpassaiccountynj.org.

By Ariana Puzzo

Clifton has always been Keith Oakley’s home. It’s what makes his late summer farewell bittersweet.

There is not a part of our city or our community that is untouched by Oakley’s philanthropy or his kind-hearted spirit. Whether it’s related to his involvement as the Clifton Veterans Avenue of the Flags’ co-founder or alongside organizations like the Boys & Girls Club of Clifton and the North Jersey Elks Developmental Disabilities Agency (NJEDDA), Oakley actively supports Clifton’s most vulnerable populations.

Now, he’s preparing for a new era that involves taking his own needs into consideration.

“I’m retiring in August, and my wife and I are moving to South Carolina,” said Oakley, 69. “This is my swan song.”

In our July 2021 edition, Oakley praised all that Clifton offers its residents. He specifically noted its “great school system, recreation [services], and services for veterans.” His Mustang profile concluded with a simple, albeit honest statement that it would “take a lot to get me out of here.”

He wasn’t lying. The decision to relocate is multifaceted — related to the cost of living and his health. Now that their children are adults, Oakley and his wife, Michele, are preparing to rent a mobile home and relocate about 14 miles outside of Myrtle Beach.

“I hate leaving Clifton and all that I do, but it’s so much pressure on me right now,” he explained.

Oakley (CHS 1971) is still optimistic about the new environment. For a man who enjoys staying involved and credits that involvement as what “keeps me going and keeps me alive”, he’s aware that the fresh air and more relaxed days to come may be just what the doctor ordered.

It doesn’t mean he’ll ever fully put his hometown in the rearview. And he has always encouraged others to prioritize their own community in a similar fashion.

“Clifton, like a lot of towns, has everything to offer no matter what your passion is,” said Oakley in 2021. “Whatever your passion is, that is what you should do to help your city.”

A Club Kid For Life

Born to parents Lewis and Mary on Nov. 26, 1953, Oakley grew up in the Dutch Hill section.

He’s one of four children, along with Barbara Evans (CHS 1964), Cindy Weber (CHS 1977), and Wayne (CHS 1973). In his early years, he found a second home at what was formerly the Boys Club of Clifton. Oakley was let into the Club a year early at six-years-old due to Mary’s (CHS 1939) role there.

“My family has been involved in the Club for almost all of its 75 years,” said Oakley. “My mother was a secretary there for 35 years … [and my] father was a volunteer in the Men’s Club. He did maintenance [work there] after 30-something years in the Army.”

It’s a legacy that is a great source of pride for Oakley. In his own experience, he went from being a Club kid to acting as President of the Leaders Club, now the Keystone Club, while a member. He later worked as a camp counselor before becoming President of the Men’s Club and a Board Member since 1986. Fourteen of his years on the Board were spent as an officer.

“We have dedicated staff members and Board members who are always trying to do the right thing for the kids. I’m proud to be part of it,” said Oakley. “I spent 63 years in the Club and never left.”

One aspect of the Club that Oakley has always appreciated is that there was never a hierarchy. It didn’t matter if you were there to play any sports or not — there was something for everyone. As a non-athlete, it meant a lot to him in his adolescence.

“In some places, if you’re not a star athlete, you’re nothing — that’s not how the Club worked … you could just be a kid,” said Oakley. “Maybe you like playing in the pool or like reading. No one thought less of you because you weren’t somebody who is popular.”

As an adult, he sees the value in an additional way.

“The Club always helped people and taught people things,” he said. “It kept you off the street.”

For the CHS 1971 grad, it also provided his first work experience. His first job paid a whopping 75 cents per hour in the pool locker room. Oakley would go on to work as a swimming instructor and taught over 1,000 Clifton kids how to swim.

“I still see some of those kids and they say, ‘You taught me how to swim,’” he recalled. “It’s the greatest thing. The Club taught you things that were very good to know.”

He’s watched the Club’s evolution as well. What was once a photography program expanded to incorporate computers and advancements in technology. Oakley said the Club reflects the world it exists in by doing that — as well as through its hires.

“[I hope that] the Club keeps on going just as it is and evolves with whatever is going on in the world,” said Oakley. “Clifton speaks like, 65 languages and … we try to hire staff to [reflect that diversity].”

Oakley is proud of the Club’s national recognition, as well as his involvement on seven different Board committees over the years. Oakley has offered his services and his time on the Executive Board, Finance Committee, and Program Committee, to name a few.

“I pride myself on making almost every single meeting. My absentee record is almost nothing,” said Oakley. “If you’re going to do it, you’ve got to do it right.”

Presently, he’s the Club’s Historian. It is a position that the Club leadership made permanent for him in 1986. He added that it was necessary because when the wrecking ball came during the pool’s construction over 15 years ago, the Club unintentionally discarded old records.

“I know the history more than anyone,” said Oakley. “It’s in my head and in my heart.”

A Life of Leadership

Oakley readily admitted that he goofed around in high school.

Yet those antics enabled him to better determine his interests. When teachers stepped in, they placed him in a work study program at School 13. He was responsible there for assisting with the special needs children.

“They thought they were punishing me, but I fell in love with those kids,” said Oakley in 2021. “I fell in love with their smiles.”

“Even if you think that they don’t know what you’re saying, a lot of them do,” he added. “They’re really great kids who need a lot of love and care.”

Oakley spent nearly 40 years in the window business before his retirement, but he never forgot about those smiles. For about 20 years, Oakley has served as a trustee with NJEDDA, a New Jersey-based nonprofit organization.

Located at 1481 Main Ave, the organization provides a vast range of special education services. It offers therapies and support to children, teens, and adults living with complex developmental disabilities.

Giving back to others — particularly those who need more support — is something that Oakley and his siblings learned from an early age.

“That’s from my parents. My parents always taught us, ‘You’ve got to give back,’” said Oakley.

They led by example. Aside from their community involvement, Oakley knew the sacrifices that a person makes when they serve their country. The Athenia resident still reveres his father for his 30 years in the Army and always remembers his cousin who was killed in Vietnam.

His respect for veterans was what inspired him to cofound the Avenue of Flags in 2002 with late co-founders John Biegel, Jr. and Walter Pruiksma.

Biegel, aged 83, passed away March 22, 2018 and was a Marine Corp vet, serving during the Korean War. Pruiksma, aged 97, passed away Feb. 6, 2021.

Pruiksma was a World War II vet who landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France as part of Operation Overlord.

Over the two decades, the three men grew the Avenue of Flags tribute on the City Hall campus. Today, the total count exceeds 2,200 flags. Now, as he prepares to depart from Clifton, Oakley was honored with his own flag. It’s an honor that is normally only bestowed to veterans — which is a tradition that he, himself, wouldn’t alter — but he deeply appreciates the gesture.

“I always promised my dad that I’d never forget and always honor servicemen,” said Oakley.

There are other groups that Oakley’s formed connections with over the years. He served for 30 years as a court volunteer on the Juvenile Conference Committee in Passaic County. He was Chairman for the county and the state, focusing on child placement reviews in the juvenile court system.

Separately, Oakley is a member of Clifton Elks Lodge #1569 for 30-plus years. He’s a member of Sons of American Legion as well, serving as commander for both Squadron 8 and the county.

On Dec. 4, 2022, Oakley was honored by The Giblin Association at the 31st Annual Community Service Awards and Charity Breakfast in East Hanover. At the event, he was the recipient of the “Giblin Association Community Service Award – Veteran Advocate” for his years of leadership.

“I carry it with me — all that I’ve done,” said Oakley with humble gratitude.

Yet his greatest love is saved for his family — his wife, Michele; children Kara, Maryfrances, Mathew, and Emilie; and four granddaughters.