In Step TO THE Army

Ian McCarrick knows a small act of kindness goes a long way. As a recently enlisted member of the US Army Reserve, he’s passing that advice on to the CHS rising seniors.

“Don’t go into the world expecting to change it,” said McCarrick, 18. “You don’t need to change the world entirely. It’s better to change somebody else’s world.”

McCarrick already has experience doing that as a proud Eagle Scout. In September of 2021, we featured McCarrick and three other city residents from Troop 8 in Upper Montclair. The four had just received their Eagle Scout Awards — including Dylan Spies, Michael Gentilello, and Jason Gentilello.

McCarrick remodeled a sensory room at Mount Carmel Guild Academy in West Orange. During that time, he worked closely with a team to replace the carpet, paint the room, and also replace ceiling tiles. The team placed foam tiles over an area of carpet and they created sensory boards that they painted and mounted around the room.

The senior started out as a Cub Scout and worked his way up in the ranks like his older brother, Gerald (CHS 2020). Gerald made a school store at Mount Carmel for his own Eagle project.

“I’ve had a lot of friends in the past with special needs and learning disabilities,” said McCarrick. “Helping out a community full of [individuals with similar needs] is the main reason why I wanted to help so much.”

The McCarrick boys are on unique journeys. McCarrick named Gerald as his greatest influence, saying he always has his back and gives “great advice.” Gerald is a rising senior at Iowa State University, where he’s studying to become an aerospace engineer.

McCarrick’s plans in September are different. He’ll join Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He’ll head next to Fort Gregg-Adams for Advanced Individual Training and gain the designation of 91 Bravo. As a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, he’ll be stationed at Fort Totten in Queens.

“I’ve always wanted to be a soldier since I was young,” said McCarrick. “I idolized soldiers and troopers and Special Forces guys.”

The interest grew distant as he got older, but a few things brought it back to the forefront for true consideration. It was a combination of seeing family and friends serve in the military, as well as speaking to recruiters.

McCarrick plans to take it one day at a time in terms of any future career plans.

“I want to see how it’ll go for me. If I enjoy it, I’ll most likely stick with it,” he said. “If I don’t, I plan to go to trade school for welding.”

Whether in the Army or in trade school, McCarrick will enter his new environment prepared. His job title involves him working on Jeeps, trucks, and Humvees. While at CHS, he learned all about oil changes, engines, and other essential mechanics in Richard Alberghini’s Auto Shop class.

McCarrick considered it as his favorite class because Alberghini considered it “career training.”

“You’re not a student, you’re a mechanic, and he treats you like it,” said McCarrick. “He teaches us how to do these things, but he expects us to get in there and think. Not read a textbook about it. I wish more teachers were like that.”

McCarrick will also enter the Army with practiced discipline. He has played the trombone since fourth grade and joined the Marching Mustang Band in his freshman year. At CHS, he joined the Concert Band, did Wind Ensemble for one year, and played with the Brass Band.

His most memorable Marching Band performance was in his freshman year. It was the first time that they did the Trombone Guillotines.

“Basically, we stand foot-to-foot right next to each other. After kick-off, we play the Texas fight song,” explained McCarrick. “There’s a break in it and what we do while the trumpets play is we duck down and swing with trombones overhead each other.”

Another special time was getting to play with Gerald when the older McCarrick was a senior. It was a sort of full-circle moment.

“Initially, I wanted to learn the saxophone. But,” McCarrick said with a laugh, “my brother picked up the trombone. Being the little brother, you have to copy your big bro.”

Happy End the School Year Clifton!

A safe place to share and work on recovery from life's setbacks and hang ups Group focuses on root causes of stress, worry, anxiety and grief Explanations of stress relief worksheets and book discussions Lifeskills focused

Stress

Workshop

Last date to attend: June 15, 6:30pm

Location: Clifton Senior Center 900 Clifton Ave (Behind City Hall)

July-August

Attn. civic groups, busineses, and houses of worship. Plan a school supply drive this summer and support Clifton's Back2School Outreach program.

Our team is committed to alleviating poverty by providing Personal Development, Wellness Workshops and valuable resources that assist families and individuals back to independence.

Here are the Mustangs of the Month for June 2023.

These four students, all seniors, were selected by the vice principals at CHS, to be spotlighted for their personal achievements and school-wide contributions.

Dominic Ianuale

The legendary Guinness World Records helped to shape Dominic Ianuale, or at least his interests.

The Class of 2023 Mustang practices MMA. It’s a passion that he plans to continue despite the fact that he will soon leave his Martial Arts school. While he practices independently, he plans to pursue other interests.

“My goal is to work in software development,” said Ianuale. “Right now, I am in CHS’ Computer Science Academy to get there and have reached AP Level.”

AP Computer Science is his favorite class, which is taught by Ms. Mouna Boutemine. Ianuale appreciates not only that it’s interesting and fun, but that the class and the curriculum challenges him.

“This is a subject area that I have been interested in even before high school,” he said, “and it [helped me] to get a head start on studying Computer Science.”

Ianuale acknowledged that he has surprised himself with his academic achievements in the past year. He has managed to keep up with the demands of Honor and AP courses. It’s not limited to the past year either, but all four years of high school.

“My parents, Nikki and Michael, have been the biggest inspirations and motivations for me,” said Ianuale. “They encouraged me to be the best that I can be.” Maybe we will read of him as a future Guinness World Records holder.

Nayla Baradhi

Students do great things every day, but not all of them get recognized like Nayla Baradhi.

In March, Baradhi was among 24 seniors honored in the county. The Passaic County Education Associations sponsored a program, “Unsung Heroes” in collaboration with the Passaic County School Boards Association. School administrators and teachers nominate students that they feel exemplify strength of character and role model qualities.

The program’s first year in-person was held at CHS.

“I have surprised myself this year by receiving the [award],” said Baradhi. “This award is given to one student out of every school in Passaic County. It was one of my biggest achievements.”

She was on the CHS Cheer team and the first Girls Flag Football Team in her junior year. She also participated in Heroes & Cool Kids, was a CAST III intern, and served as a Superintendent Ambassador.

Baradhi will attend MSU, majoring in Biology on the pre-med track.

“I would like to have my own private practice as an OB/ GYN after residency,” she said. Baradhi credits her family as her biggest support system. It includes her parents, Roger Baradhi and Wanda Diaz Morales, and her brothers, Moises Pagan and Assad Baradhi. “They always have the best affirmations and words of wisdom.”

Kerim Pesocan

Kerim Pesocan surprised himself this year by getting accepted into his dream choice for college. Yet, based on his can-do attitude, it is not that surprising that Seton Hall recognized his abilities.

“After [putting in the] hard work and dedication, I made my dreams a reality,” said Pesocan.

Pesocan plans to study the human body while in college. His first goal is to understand how people’s bodies function to the best of their abilities. Pesocan’s longer-term goal is to become a physical therapist. He hopes to open his own office one day.

A book that has shaped who Pesocan is as a person is Trevor Noah’s autobiography, Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood.

“It taught me how to overcome obstacles and [about] diversity,” said Pesocan.

Although he will not go on to play the sport in college, Pesocan was part of the Boys Varsity Soccer team for all four years of high school. He acknowledged his father, Erol, as his greatest inspiration throughout his life.

Pesocan’s favorite teacher at CHS is Ms. Reem Ibrahem. Ibrahem teaches Art and Ceramics at the high school. “She is my favorite because she always tells me to be myself and to express my thoughts and feelings,” said Pesocan.

Kaylee Miller

Kaylee Miller scored 100 career goals in lacrosse, but it’s only the beginning for the graduating Mustang.

This fall, Miller is headed to Rowan University to major in Biology. She hopes to continue playing lacrosse during college. The college will also set her up for her future career goals.

“Rowan University is a college of constant change,” said Miller, “and will lead me down a perfect path to my career as a veterinarian.”

Miller has gotten involved in many extracurriculars. Other sports have included basketball and flag football. She joined the Athletic Training Club and was in the National Honors Society and National English Honors Society.

She has taken strides to start working toward becoming a veterinarian. Aside from securing a spot in Rowan University’s Schreiber School of Veterinary Medicine, she has spent two years as a volunteer at a veterinary emergency hospital.

The movie that shaped her life is Dead Poets Society. But there are also people in her life who have left indelible marks. “The person who has inspired me the most during high school has been Amra Lukovic,” said Miller. “The person who has inspired me throughout my life has been and will continue to be my father, Michael Miller.”