East Newark tables ordinance that would have eliminated Chief’s position while creating civilian Director of Public Safety position
Page 3
TO THE MOUNTAIN TOP
17-year-old Dylan Sullivan, of Kearny, climbs Mt. Kilimanjaro this summer
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
Mount Kilimanjaro sits exactly 19,341 feet in the air in Tanzania, East Africa. In simpler terms, that is 3.67 miles high. In some parts of the mountain, the air is extremely thin, and with it comes conditions not easy to sustain human life without the help of oxygen masks. But he wouldn’t be climbing with masks.
Now let’s face it, most of us probably don’t know many people — or anyone for that matter — who has made the journey to Tanzania to climb this monstrosity. Or at least, that is, until now.
Enter a name you will hear a lot in the coming year — Dylan Sullivan, of Kearny.
Sullivan is a 17-year-old rising senior at St. Peter’s Prep in downtown Jersey City. And before we get to his epic journey, perhaps you’ve already either read about him in The Observer or heard us speak of him in a multitude of episodes of The Observer Live!
That’s because before he was off to Africa, Sullivan completed his Eagle Scout Project last year and was honored by the Mayor and Council in North Arlington. He’s a full Son of the American Legion of Kearny. He attends Kearny Council meetings. He’s been to the Veterans Day celebration in town. He was on hand when a veteran who died without family was finally laid to rest. He is well involved in co-curriculars at Prep. And these are just a handful of things he’s already accomplished.
And, did we already mention, he’s only 17? Suppose we did, but it’s
See DYLAN, Page 18
JPA CADETS GET FREE BIKES AT NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
National Night Out 2024 was a week later than it was supposed to be in Kearny, but it still drew a great crowd for a great cause. Top left photo, a look at all the cadets from Kearny’s Junior Police Academy, who each received a free bike, thanks to the generosity of the Tour de Force and Walmart. One of the youngsters, Logan Navedo, 13, a rising eighth-grader at Lincoln Middle School, seen in the photo at the right, took a bike smaller than he is so he could give it to his little brother, Mason Zambrano. Final photo, a youngster learns how to use a fire hose from a Kearny firefighter. Said Kearny PBA President Mina Ekladious: ‘It was an honor for our organization to play a part in securing bicycles for our JPA graduates. The members of the Kearny PBA are grateful to pay it forward to the community we serve and protect. Additionally, I’m personally grateful to pay it forward to the community I grew up in and continue to reside in for over 30 years. The Kearny PBA will work tirelessly to foster and maintain positive police interactions with our youth, residents and visitors.’ Visit www.kearnypba. org for more information on PBA 21.
Photo by Lisa Feorenzo
SLOW THAT DOWN
East Newark tables ordinance that would havescrappedchiefrank
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
An ordinance that would have on second reading, if adopted, eliminated the position of East Newark Police Chief and replace it with a civilian Director of Public Safety was tabled after one member of the Borough Council voiced fierce opposition to the change at a meeting Aug. 14. And that councilman, who happens to be a retired East Newark Police Chief himself, with 28+ years of law-enforcement experience, wants the ordinance to be amended to leave the position of chief to remain on the books.
Councilman Kenneth M. Sheehan Sr. immediately expressed his opposition to the ordinance at the meeting — the meeting drew a capacity crowd, a rarity in East Newark — when it was brought to the table for discussion.
“I am against this ordinance, removing the chief of the police out of the table of organization from this borough,” Sheehan said at the top of his remarks. “…With all due respect, this was voted on in the July meeting (for introduction). I am saying,
very strongly, that we keep the rank of chief of police in the TO and we just don’t attach a salary to it.
“…I believe we leave the rank of chief of police in there because this is a young department being rebuilt with the approval of this mayor and council … there’s a lot to look to in the future and a lot of ability in this borough for a chief of police down the line and I strongly as my council counterparts to withdraw this ordinance, leave the rank of chief in the TO with no salary attached — move forward.
“…If it’s not broke, don’t fix it.”
Once Sheehan concluded his remarks, Councilman Christopher Reis openly asked why it was necessary, in the first place, if at all, to remove the chief’s rank.
“Can’t we keep the vacancy and have it available rather than create a new position from scratch?” Reis said. “So is there any harm in this? I do think Councilman Sheehan has a point in that we might not have someone in house today who’s ready to be chief
See ENPD, Page 15
East Newark Mayor Dina Grilo, right, chats with Councilman Kenneth M. Sheehan Sr. prior to last week’s East Newark Borough Council meeting. Photo by Kevin A. Canessa Jr.
Melham: ANCHOR rebate program returns soon
By Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com
The third season of the ANCHOR kicks off soon, and Belleville Mayor Michael A. Melham reminds all eligible residents to take advantage of the state’s largest property tax-relief initiative.
“About 1.5 million New Jersey residents will get automatic ANCHOR payments this year, but another two million residents – including property owners in Belleville – could be eligible,” Melham said. “Taxpayers in New Jersey can get up to $1,750 in tax rebates.”
The state Treasury Department was to send notification letters Monday, Aug. 19 to 1.5 million residents to let them know their ANCHOR applications can be filed automatically.
Beginning Monday, Aug. 26, residents who did not receive a letter will get an
application packet in the mail.
In one important change to the process this year, residents whose address or other information has changed will need to file a new application by Sept. 15.
Residents who don’t receive a notification letter or an application packet can still apply for ANCHOR benefits by logging onto the state’s website at anchor. nj.gov.
The New Jersey Division of Taxation has made the application process easier this year by creating online portals where documents may be securely uploaded. Residents will still be able to submit paper documentation if they so choose. More information about the program is available at anchor.nj.gov.
Applicants may also call the ANCHOR hotline at (609) 826-4282 or (888) 2381233, or get in-person assistance at a regional information center.
Wonder Girls summer camp launches in Lyndhurst
Wonder Girls, a nonprofit organization designed to empower the next generation of female leaders in New Jersey and New York, recently launched its inaugural summer camp at the Libby Lindsay Girl Scout House in Lyndhurst.
Wonder Girls says it focuses on instilling confidence, leadership skills, a sense of community and meaningful connections, allowing the girls to grow in these areas while making new friends.
The camp was led by Ana Silvelo, a teacher and adviser for Wonder Girls at Lyndhurst High School, along with several high school and college counselors from the Wonder Girls program
that takes place annually at Lyndhurst High School during the school year.
Over 30 campers, aged 10 to 14, participated in various engaging activities at the two-week program and had the opportunity to hear from several inspiring speakers from all different professions and backgrounds.
U.S. Homeland Security hosted an interactive workshop about how to keep yourself safe online and the Cup Cake Carriage led a lesson on entrepreneurship and creating an elevator pitch.
Each morning, the girls engaged in outdoor journaling sessions, discussing their feelings and exploring strategies for navigating life’s challenges.
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OPINION & VIEWPOINTS
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Calicchio: NJ Transit meeting started late, reasons for closing Kingsland weak
To the Editor:
On Aug. 14, NJ Transit hosted a pair of public hearings in Lyndhurst regarding the possible closure of Kingsland Train Station in 2025. I and many other people from Lyndhurst and nearby towns decided to attend the evening session.
Lyndhurst currently has two NJ Transit rail stations: the Kingsland station, located on Ridge Road, and the Lyndhurst station, located on the other side of town — with a replacement station being built immediately next to it.
The proposal is that the new remote station, when finished in 2025, would become the township’s only NJT station. But naturally, many residents find the Kingsland station to be more convenient and hope that it remains in operation.
Members of the public who spoke at the hearing, numbering about 10 or so, made some excellent arguments for keeping the Kingsland station open — it’s convenient to NJ Transit bus connections and for shopping at many local businesses, for example. Some also mentioned safety concerns — especially for women during evening hours — if they are forced to use the remote location rather than Kingsland.
Some also noted a new apartment building, with about a dozen or so units, is currently being constructed directly across the street from the Kingsland station.
Closing the station would take away a great incentive for occupying those units. (Kingsland provides rides of only two stops to Hoboken, or to New York City after a switch at
Secaucus Junction.)
I don’t recall anyone except NJT calling for the Kingsland station to be closed. (NJT’s critics have long accused the agency of serving its own wishes rather than those of the public.)
Several speakers seemed unimpressed by NJT’s argument that the new station would comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Some noted NJT could have just made improvements to the Kingsland station over the years rather than build an entirely new station across town.
Although the new station is promised to have four elevators, easing access for many customers, some frequent NJT travelers might argue that NJT already has trouble keeping escalators and elevators in good repair at other existing stations — so the sight of “out of service” orange safety cones in front of the elevators not long after the new station opens next year would likely surprise no one.
A late start
The evening hearing was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., but ultimately started 30 minutes late because NJT board member Shanti Narra couldn’t get to Lyndhurst on time. So we all sat and waited, just as we often wait for a late NJT bus or train. When the meeting did start, the NJT officials played a 10-minute video that was just an automated read-out of the handout sheets that we had spent the preceding 30 minutes reading to pass the time until Narra showed up.
They could have played the video during the wasted waiting
time, but I guess this idea never occurred to them.
The NJT handout sheet listed a number of the agency’s concerns regarding the Kingsland station, noting the waiting room there has been closed to the public for more than 15 years; the station does not comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (largely because it lacks an elevator to the ground level boarding areas); the station has insufficient parking and generally deteriorating infrastructure, as well as “limited amenities.”
This might be a reference to the station’s one ticket machine, after the second machine was removed many months ago, for reasons that are unclear.
The Kingsland parking issue might have been solved if NJT had given nearby Spencer Savings Bank an incentive to relocate, so the Spencer site could become an additional Kingsland parking lot. Just a short distance
Lisa M. Feorenzo lisa@theobserver.com Co-owner/Advertising Dir.
away, on New York Avenue, a TD Bank branch had been vacated – providing a possible new space for Spencer – but the TD structure has since been demolished so that opportunity has been lost.
Dodging blame?
Interestingly, NJT’s language on the handout sheets regarding Kingsland’s deficiencies seems an attempt to absolve NJT from any blame for the station’s deplorable condition. It’s as if NJT wants the public to think that decay and neglect “just happened” to the station rather than resulting from decades of NJT laziness, incompetence and indifference.
The handout sheets did not include the names of the three NJT representatives running the meeting, so I had to get the names from the receptionist in the lobby of the Lyndhurst Town Hall. The three panelists did have their names on display
cards in front of them on the dais, but the type on the cards was too small for me to read from the front row of the council chambers’ audience area.
Two of the panelists were identified as Michael Kanef and of course the tardy Ms. Narra. The internet tells me Kanef is the state treasurer’s liaison to NJ Transit and Narra is an NJT board member. The third panelist was Adam Phelps, whom the internet says is some kind of lawyer at NJT.
Phelps made clear for the audience that the hearing was not designed for Q&A, so no questions from the public would be answered. Instead, it was a “listening” session, with speakers allotted three minutes each to raise their concerns. Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech but apparently the rules that apply to Congress don’t apply to NJ Transit.
Dom Calicchio | Lyndhurst
Tina Feorenzo Co-owner/Advertising
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. kc@theobserver.com Editor/Broadcaster Michelle Rybeck advertising@theobserver.com Graphic Artist/Real Estate
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Harrison schools launch high-impact tutoring program in mathematics
Thanks to the recent $128,280 High-Impact Tutoring grant awarded by the State of New Jersey, Harrison Public Schools School have successfully implemented a new virtual tutoring program.
The grant allows the district to offer enhanced academic support in mathematics for upcoming third- and fourth-graders participating in the Summer Academic Achievement program at Kennedy School.
Proximity Learning, the vendor for the virtual mathematics instruction, has delivered effective tutoring services in high-performing districts, and schools in Harrison are happy to bring this expertise to students.
The new program features small-group tutoring sessions, each comprising no more than four students.
These focused, one-hour sessions were conducted daily throughout the summer school period, providing valuable reinforcement to the regular academic instruction.
“This initiative represents
a significant step forward in our commitment to academic excellence,” Daniela Riser, director of curriculum and instruction, said. “By offering personalized, small-group tutoring at no additional cost to families, we are ensuring that our students receive the targeted support they need to excel in mathematics.”
The summer tutoring sessions are designed to bolster students’ math skills, helping them to build a strong foundation for the coming school year.
Furthermore, students who participated in the summer program will have the opportunity to continue receiving tutoring in the fall, with sessions available before or after school.
More details on the fall program will be available to students in early September.
HOME TOUR RED FLAGS
When touring a potential home, virtually or in person, first-time home buyers can become overwhelmed as there can be a lot to take in. However, what buyers should look out for are red flags that could be markers of significant issues. For starters, inspect the flooring and check for sagging or dipping, especially near bathrooms. Check the walls and ceilings. While small cracks in drywall are not a worry, larger cracks may indicate structural issues. Also, inspect the windows to ensure they are correctly installed and functioning. Potential buyers should also look for signs of water damage and the smell of mold. Lastly, it’s a good idea to ask when the roof was
installed and to look at the warranty. Preparation is key when putting your house on the market, from performing long-put off maintenance to updating antiquated interiors. The more effort you make to keep your home in pristine condition, the more you’ll increase your chances of attracting serious buyers willing to pay top dollar. Buyers also need to prepare when house-hunting to pin-point what their needs are and what they are looking for. Preparation also includes choosing the real estate agent most qualified to represent you in your real estate transaction. “Our success has been built one satisfied customer at a time.”
Bergen 9th safest county in America: U.S. News & World Report
Bergen County is one of the safest in the country, so says U.S. News and World Report.
The county ranked ninth safest county, the news agency says.
U.S. News and World Report says Bergen County boasts one of the highest public safety records nationwide, with a score of 88.52 and in ensuring access to emergency services, with an average of 84.9% of Populations Living Close the Emergency Facilities, compared to the national average of 37.4%.
“I am incredibly proud of Bergen County for being recognized as one of the safest counties in America,” Bergen County Executive James J. Tedesco III said. “This distinction is thanks to the hard work and dedication of our sheriff’s office, prosecutor’s office, Bergen County EMS, local first responders, community partners and social-service providers. Here, we are committed to offering our residents the highest
quality of life possible. By investing in our communities and our emergency response infrastructure, the County of Bergen will continue to be the greatest place in the nation to live, work and raise a family.”
“This recognition is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our first responders and the collective commitment of our entire Bergen County community. Being named one of the safest counties in the nation is a tremendous honor that highlights our relentless focus on public safety and our efforts to ensure every resident benefits from rapid emergency response,” Commissioner Steven Tanelli, of North Arlington, said. “By investing in state-of-the-art training facilities and strengthening our shared service agreements, we are not only safeguarding our community today but also preparing ourselves to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”
Healthiest Communities rank-
ings show how nearly 3,000 U.S. counties perform across 92 metrics in 10 health-related categories and explore the relationships between the many factors that contribute to the overall health and safety of a community.
Main categories in the Healthiest Communities framework include Population Health, Equity, Education, Economy, Housing, Environment, Community Vitality, Infrastructure and Public Safety.
In the Public Safety category, communities are scored on a 100-point scale across seven metrics in three key areas: crime, injuries, and public safety capacity.
With ever-changing public safety conditions, the county says it has prioritized the enhancement of its emergency-response capabilities through various innovations and partnerships.
Last year, the county celebrated the completion of the Law and Pub -
lic Safety Institute (LPSI) Modernization Project, which equipped the county’s training center with environments that mimic cross-disciplinary real-world scenarios for firefighters, police officers and EMS workers.
In 2023, the county launched Bergen County’s Emergency Medical Ambulance Services, a 24/7 county wide emergency medical transportation service which has helped fill the steady decline in volunteer ambulance corps across north Jersey.
Earlier this summer, in June, the county’s Public Safety Operations Center (PSOC) — home to Bergen County 911 Dispatch and Operations — announced it will make its 911 answering service available at no cost to all Bergen County municipalities. By strengthening its shared-service capabilities, the county says it furthers its mission to establish itself as the 911 regional call center for all of Northern New Jersey.
SPORTS & HEALTH
LOOKING TO REBOUND
CBy Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
hristian Helm doesn’t want to make any excuses about the 3-7 record Nutley had in his first season as head coach.
But as Helm starts his second season leading the Maroon Raiders, the difference of a normal offseason and weightroom, as well as an additional year of implementing the culture he wants to create is obvious.
“It’s not even close (comparing this preseason to last year’s). Truthfully, we’re practicing at a level that I thought we wouldn’t even be at just yet,” said Helm, adding that they are starting to rebuild that Nutley tradition. “You can see it in the way they work, the way they practice, the way they’re
playing. We’re far ahead than we were last year.”
One player who has shown as much progress as any is senior quarterback Clark Mohrbutter (6-1, 195), who enters his second full season as starter.
Mohrbutter threw for 919 yards and six touchdowns last year and is poised for even bigger things as he continues to become more accustomed to the position and Helm’s offense.
“You can just see the maturity in him as a person on and off the field,” Helm said. “We definitely feel strongly about him in that leadership role. His teammates voted him heavily to be captain and he’s a great leader and he’s really understanding the game.”
Mohrbutter and the Nutley offense are sure to be helped out by the fact that this year’s
Raiders have a deeper collection of offensive skill players and big play threats than they’ve had in recent memory.
Sophomore Aidan Rotbaum (5-9, 180), a starting linebacker and standout wrestler last year, adds lead running back to his resume. The hard-running Rotbaum is joined by senior captain Tyler Von Roth (6-1, 190), a physical fullback, and electric junior Zahir Weatherington (5-10, 175), a dynamic speedster who moved into Nutley from Clifton.
Adding to the big play ability are junior wide receivers and cousins Jeremiah Tirado (5-10, 180) and Jalyn Caraballo (6-2, 190). Caraballo has grown three inches since getting seven catches for 189 yards as a sophomore, and Tirado is poised to do big things after missing last
year due to injury.
Jordan Small (6-0, 160), Michael Sanabria (6-0, 175) and Leander Mejias (5-8, 165) are also options at receiver, while Nick Gallo (6-1, 190) and Tim Gordon (6-1, 200) are battling it out at tight end.
“We can get into reduce sets and get to some of our spread stuff. We can go from spread to our reduce (formation) and vice versa. We can power run if we need to. We can be in convoy, which I think is going to be a major issue for people,” said Helm. “We should be pretty balanced and I think we’re going to be tough to defend.”
Helm is very high on his offensive line, giving strong praise to O-Line coach Brian Kutzleb, who like the rest of the staff, is comprised entirely of Nutley alums.
Senior captain Damiano Farro (6-1, 220), a three-year starter on the offensive line, moves over to left tackle. Senior Gerard Russo (5-11, 190) returns to start at left guard and senior Justin Bido (60, 210) shifts to center from tackle. Another senior, Paul Vazquez (6-0, 210) is set to start at right guard and junior Matt Serritella (6-1, 230) at right tackle.
Juniors Noah Smith (6-3, 220) and Andrew Abdelmalak (6-3, 260), freshman Luciano Pizano (6-3, 240) and senior Gerald Santangelo (5-8, 180) add depth to the line.
Nutley’s defense has a new look with a 4-2-5 scheme as the Raiders will bring a level of speed to the unit not normally associated with the program.
“It’s definitely a different look.
See NUTLEY, Page 12
Photo by Jason Bernstein
Nutley seniors, from left, are Andrew Santangelo, Sander Boissard, Paul Vazquez, Tyler Von Roth, Jordan Small, Clark Mohrbutter, Gerard Russo, Nick Gallo, Gerald Santangelo, Damiano Farro, Leander Mejias, Michael Sanabria.
Lyndhurst looks to strong crop of seniors ahead of season
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
The 2023 season saw Lyndhurst win the NJIC Liberty Division title, but if you ask head coach Rich Tuero and the Golden Bears, there wasn’t much to celebrate at the end of the year. That’s because the four-straight wins to clinch the division was followed up by five consecutive losses, the last, a 33-30 defeat at Newton in the first round of the North 1, Group 2 tournament.
“As great as it is that we won the division, the reality is we were 0-5 (at the end). We lost our last five games,” Tuero said.
“Regardless of how tough those
said. “He has all the intangibles, tall, strong, smart, dedicated, hard worker, no ego, just the all-around dream of a quarterback.”
While Bellenger has shown the ability to win games with his arm, at the Golden Bears’ core, they are a power running team and Lyndhurst has one of North Jersey’s top two-way players to set that physical tone with Roddy Morinho.
teams were, it doesn’t make a difference. We have a standard and we did not live up to our end of this thing. So the focus this year is getting back on track.”
Eye plugs are tiny devices that are inserted in the eyes’ tear ducts to decrease drainage and relieve common problems like dry eye. Eye plugs are also called punctal plugs because they’re placed in the puncta of the tear duct. There are two types of eye plugs: temporary and semipermanent. Temporary plugs are routinely used after eye surgeries like LASIK to increase comfort and hasten healing. Temporary plugs also allow people to try eye plugs before getting semi-permanent ones. One type of semi-permanent eye plug is the canaliculus plug, placed deeper inside the tear duct in the canaliculus. These plugs must be surgically placed and removed, while regular punctal plugs
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That disappointment has brought an added fuel to the hire of what is a veteran group that features 19 seniors, headlined by a trio of three-year starters on offense.
“We have a really good group with great kids,” said Tuero. “The camaraderie, the brotherhood in camp has been awesome. I’m really excited about this group. I really think they’re
going to do a good job.”
Shawn Bellenger (6-2, 195) enters his third season as a team captain and starting quarterback. The three-sport performer enjoyed a breakout season on the gridiron last year when he threw for 1,345 yards and 17 touchdowns to go with 383 yards and two TDs rushing.
“He’s one of the smartest kids to ever play the position at Lyndhurst High School,” Tuero
Morinho (6-0, 205), is also a three-year captain, went over the 100-yard mark in five games last year as he ran for 717 yards and nine touchdowns while also catching 17 passes for 254 yards and three scores. Tuero knows that keeping Morinho, who also had 105 tackles at linebacker, fresh is paramount to success in October and November, so he’ll have plenty of help in the backfield. Senior Viktor Kanjuk is a speedy back, who averaged
Photo by Jason Bernstein
Lyndhurst football players, from left, Abraham Martinez, Jonathan Rodriguez, Viktor Kanjuk, Shadeed Smith, Ziad Selim, Michael Cutola, Matthew Jarvis, Michael Longo, Shawn Bellenger, Roddy Morinho, Logan Stitzer, Anthony Amaro and Allen Frias.
Harrison won’t field football team in
By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com
Last week marked the official start of preseason football practice for high school teams throughout New Jersey. At Harrison High School however, there were no jerseys given out, no drills being held.
This spring, Harrison made the difficult decision to not field a varsity football team in 2024, citing low participation numbers.
The lack of potential players prevented the idea of co-opting with another program from being a feasible option as well.
While such a decision felt inevitable for a long time,it didn’t
make it any less disappointing for those involved.
“It’s a shame,” Harrison athletic director Sean Dolaghan said. “I loved going to the games, the Friday Night Lights, all of that. But this was something coming down the line.
“This has been going on, I think, for years. We knew it was coming literally this year.”
While low numbers have been an issue at Harrison for most of the last two decades, the lack of players reached a critical stage on multiple occasions in recent years.
A year ago, Dolaghan and the Blue Tide faced this same dilemma of whether or not to have a football season until late
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August. While Harrison was able to have a season last fall, there were less than 20 kids on the roster, the majority of them seniors, as the Blue Tide went 0-5 in the regular season and opted out of the NJIC’s end of season crossover games.
“You couldn’t really practice much because of who got dinged up from the game before,” said Dolaghan. “They couldn’t practice on Tuesday, Wednesday. Then, all of a sudden, you got another game again. It was just hard and it was tough to watch for safety reasons.”
Before that, Harrison was
on the brink of shutting down when then head coach Jonathan Jackson head coach resigned in early August of 2021. Days later, former New York Jets quarterback and Harrison legend Ray Lucas agreed to take the head coaching job, a move that sent a jolt into participation totals and gave the program quite a bit of media attention.
With Lucas’ arrival, numbers went from the single digits to more than 30 when the Blue Tide defeated Emerson Boro, in his coaching debut on Sept. 17.
Probiotics work by helping to restore and maintain a healthy balance of gut bacteria, which factors like illness, antibiotic use, or a poor diet can disrupt. By colonizing the gut and outcompeting harmful bacteria, probiotics can enhance digestion, alleviate symptoms of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease, and boost immune function to help fight infections. Incorporating probiotic-rich foods into the diet and considering supplements can help support gut health and overall wellness.
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Observer file photo Sean Dolaghan
NUTLEY
Continued from Page 9
look. I know it’s a different defensive scheme for sure,” Helm said. “It allows some of those athletic kids to get on the field and we’re fortunate enough I think to have a good crop of
kids on the back end that can definitely help get it done.”
Weatherington starts at one corner while juniors Mo Mughal (6-1, 175) and Max Forcer (5-9, 160) are competing at the other spot. Small starts at free safety, Tirado takes over at strong safety and sophomore Dom Saladino (5-11, 175) is the rover.
FOOTBALL
Continued from Page 10
6.5 yards per carry in limited action, while sophomore Allen Frias (5-9, 160) is a do-everything fullback, who can play and thrive in multiple situations.
“(Allen’s) not just a back, he’s an athlete,” said Tuero. “He’ll come and block, we’ll give him the ball. He catches the ball out of the backfield or we can split him out wide. He can literally do it all.”
On the offensive line, the third core senior, Michael Longo (5-10, 285) is back for his third season as the starting
center.
“He’s easily the best center I’ve ever coached,” Tuero said. “It’s not even close.”
Senior Abraham Martinez is a returning starter at right guard. Tuero has very high hopes for junior left tackle Shadeed Smith (6-4, 291), who missed all of last season, but has the tools to be a bigtime player.
Omar Ali takes over at left guard, while seniors Michael Cutola and Giovanni Scalo are competing at right tackle. Anthony Amaro returns at wide receiver as does junior Matthew Jarvis, who started at tight end a season ago. Junior Nate Boyd, one of the area’s pre-
The linebacking group is an experienced one with seniors Sander Boissard (5-9, 175) and Andrew Santangelo (5-9, 175) and Rotbaum all back with starting experience.
Farro and Abdelmalak are projected to start inside at defensive tackle with Von
mier wrestlers, is also in the mix at receiver. Another option, sure to play a big role as the season goes on is freshman Avery Cano, who according to Tuero is one of the best prospects he’s ever had at this age.
Ziad Selim is projected to start at tight end.
On defense, Smith anchors the defense at nose guard with Logan Stitzer (6-1, 260) also set to see time at the spot, which is vital for the success of Lyndhurst’s 3-4 scheme.
Roth and Caraballo set to bring speed off the edge at defensive end.
Nutley, which closed last year with wins in three of its last four games, looks to build off that momentum on Thursday, Aug. 29 when it hosts an always-tough River Dell team at 6:30 p.m. A trip to longtime
“It’s a nice luxury to have,” Tuero said about the size at nose guard. “We’re not used to have that at all, so it’s to have these two big guys playing there.”
HARRISON
Continued from Page 11
It turned out to be the last win the Blue Tide football team would enjoy and with that 2021 team being senior heavy, numbers started to dwindle again.
“Ray did a great job. I was in the school system when Ray was hired and it brought about excitement,” Dolaghan said. “In that first year, the majority of those seniors that played did because of Ray.
“Ray, Nick (Landy), they all worked hard. All our coaching staff did everything they could.
Selim, Ali and junior Thomas Awida are all in the mix at defensive end.
Morinho, a three-year starter, is the heart and soul of the defense as one of the two inside linebackers. Abraham Martinez is also set to start inside with Frias and Jarvis on the outside.
Kanjuk and Cutola are also set to see snaps on the edge as well.
Amaro, a senior captain, is a returning starter at one cornerback spot, while Boyd is currently set to start at the other.
Bellenger will be starting at free safety as he’ll be playing both ways for the first time and junior Da’veon Stephens, who
It’s just literally, there’s just not many kids in our school, if any, that played football. It’s not there (right now).”
This is the first time an Observer-area team has not had a varsity football season since Kearny forfeited its varsity schedule in 2003 and elected to play as junior varsity.
Despite the current struggles, there is a hope that eventually, football will return to Harrison High School. There are reasons for optimism, including an increased participation in the Harrison/East Newark Pop Warner program has gone up the last few years and Dolaghan said he’s been working with
rival Bloomfield follows on Sept. 6.
“We love this place, we love these kids and I’m telling you, there’s something special about them,” Helm said. “They’re very tough. Nutley’s always had tough kids and I think it’s a lot of good pieces coming together now.”
moved to town from Atlanta, takes over at strong safety.
Cano and sophomore Randy Leon are set to return kicks for Lyndhurst. Freshman Anthony Andrinopolous is set to be the kicker after being a standout soccer player when he was younger.
Lyndhurst opens the season at home on Thursday, Aug. 29 against rival Becton at 6 p.m. in a game, that matches the two likely favorites in the NJIC Colonial Division, The Golden Bears follow that with a September 7 road tilt at Lodi followed by home games with Elmwood Park and Cresskill.
them to help continue that program’s revival in hopes of eventually bringing it back to the high school.
“I would love (for football) to come back,” said Dolaghan. “Our numbers are pretty decent down there. I’m going to try everything I can to bring it back. I’ve been working with the Pop Warner program, giving them what they need to boost their numbers up. (Rec President) Mike Camara and myself are always talking. They know whatever they need, I’m there for them.
“The goal is bring (varsity) back eventually. Just this year, it wasn’t possible.”
Wednesday, August 21, 2024
OBITUARIES
Edith M. Ficeto
Edith M. Ficeto (nee Cannella) of Toms River died peacefully at home on Aug. 15, 2024, surrounded by her children.
She was 97.
A past parishioner of St. Stephen’s Church, she was a loving and prayerful woman. During World War II, she worked at RCA in Harrison. While raising her children she worked at Rapid Manufacturing in Newark and Accurate Molding in Paterson before retiring.
Edith was one of 14 children. She was born in Newark and grew up in Bloomfield. She married Geraldo (Jerry) Ficeto and moved to Kearny, where they raised their son and daughter and lived for over 40 years before moving to Toms River.
Edith was an avid reader, exceptional cook and outstanding baker. She loved playing cards with her family. Mostly, she loved crocheting blankets nonstop for the local hospital and veteran organizations. Most importantly, her family and friends meant everything and brought her the greatest joy.
She was predeceased by her parents, Carmella and Alexander Cannella, her loving husband of 64 years Geraldo in 2013, her sisters Emily Izzi, Lilian Juliano, Jean Rufolo, June Beresik; her brothers Alexander Cannella, Armando Cannella, Orlando Cannella, Samuel Cannella and Dante Cannella.
Edith is survived by her loving son Gerald and his wife Denise Ficeto of Kearny and daughter Diane and her husband Michael Shannon of
Toms River; her grandchildren
Alyssa Machado (Michael), Ashley Oliveira (Brian) and Michael Shannon and Emma Sacco, whom she adored, and great-grandson Luke Oliveira who was the world to her.
Edith is also survived by her sisters Josephine Garamella and Rosemarie Pettoni, brother Albert Izzi as well as many loving nieces and nephews.
Visitation was at Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny, A funeral was celebrated at St. Stephen’s Roman Catholic Church.
Florence Spinello
Florence Spinello (nee Barry), 88, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, in Ocean University Medical Center, Brick.
Born to John and Florence (nee Evans) Barry in Jersey City, she was a proud daughter of Jersey City and cherished her Irish American heritage. Florence was the calm in every storm, and her family and friends will always remember her love, warmth and words of wisdom.
Relatives and friends visited at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. p.m. Mass was celebrated at Queen of Peace R.C. Church in North Arlington. Interment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North
Arlington.
In 1959, she married her beloved Ernest Spinello, and moved to his hometown of Kearny, where together they raised their three children.
Florence was an active leader in Kearny’s civic life for 35 years, including as a volunteer cheering supervisor for the Kearny Recreation Commission, before she and her husband moved to Brick in 1995. She was an active member of the Seaside Italian American Club in Seaside Heights, for which she chaired the scholarship committee for 15 years.
After attending high school at the Academy of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, where she excelled in field hockey and basketball, Florence earned her bachelor’s degree from Montclair State College and then earned a
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master’s degree from Kean College in Spanish. She honed her bilingual Spanish skills throughout her life, including during a treasured mission trip to Mexico City in 1957.
Florence played a vital role in her students’ lives as a teacher of English as a Second Language for many years, and then became Director of Human Resources for Independent Child Study Teams, Inc. and Innovative Educational Programs, Inc. for 23 years before retiring in 2000.
Florence had a zest for life
All obituaries must be submitted by email by 10 a.m., Mondays, to obituaries@ theobserver.com. Payment is due at submission.
and a great sense of humor. In addition to her devotion to her family and her success as a businesswoman, she enjoyed trips to Disney World with her children and grandchildren, loved to fish, and was an avid football fan who fervently cheered for both the Giants and the Miami Dolphins. She was thrilled to be present in Canton, Ohio for Dan Marino’s induction into the NFL Hall of Fame. Florence is survived by two
See OBITS, Page 14
Mulligan Funeral Home
Avenue,
Arrangements may be made in Spanish, Portuguese or Polish Frank X. Mulligan III, Manager, NJ Lic. 4221 Frank X. Mulligan, Jr. Inactive
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Private Parking at 10 Frank E. Rodgers Blvd. North 973-481-4333 visit us at: www.mulliganfh.com Wilfred Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Dr. • Kearny, NJ 07032 (201) 991-0657
children, Sean Spinello and Erin Spinello-Socolow; daughters-in-law, Camille and Lia; sons-in-law, Robert and David; brothers, Robert and William; sister, Patricia Barry Romano; five grandchildren, Jacquelyn, Josie, Stephen, Clare and Amelia; sister-in law Ermaline Spinello DeGonge; and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves her beloved Schnoodle, Honey, the last of her many cherished canine companions.
She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest A. Spinello; her son, Ernest A. Spinello Jr.; her brother, Jack Barry; and her
sister, Margaret Barry.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www. thiele-reid.com.
James G. Claxton
James G. Claxton died Aug. 11, 2024, at Clara Maass Medical Center, Belleville.
He was 84 and a lifelong Kearny resident.
Claxie as he was affectionately known was a retired school custodian with the Kearny Board of Education. He was married to the-late Elizabeth Claxton (Kirby) in a memorable wedding down the shore at his good friend Jack Mooney’s house, where a wonderful time was had by all.
Jim leaves behind his sister
Judy Halpin and her husband Joe along with their children and grandchildren. He also leaves behind a stepdaughter Melissa Behson (Jesse) and a stepson Christopher Castellano. Jim was a proud grandfather of four grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Special thank you to Kelly, his niece, for her love and support over the last few years.
A remembrance service will take place Aug. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m., at Armitage & Wiggins Funeral Home, 596 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. Cremation has been handled privately.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Tunnel to Towers in Jim’s memory.
Richard Pizzuti
The former chief of the Lyndhurst Fire Department has died. Richard Pizzuti, 75, of Toms River, died Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2024 surrounded by his family.
Pizzuti was born in Newark and raised “down the hook” in Lyndhurst. He graduated from Lyndhurst High School in 1969. He then went on to start his lifelong career with the Lyndhurst Parks and Recreation Department. This led to him becoming superintendent, which he loved passionately for over 40 years. He enjoyed his job and all the friendships it created. Anyone who played any type of sports over those years would recognize his name on their participation certificates.
firefighter with the Lyndhurst Fire Department Engine Company No. 3. He joined the fire department in 1974 when he was just 25. He spent most of his life as a fireman, an assistant chief and chief — he was chief twice, once from 1987-1988 and again in 1993-1994. He loved his fire brothers more than they would ever know.
Pizzuti was a jokester, always making sarcastic, witty remarks and making everyone around him laugh. He had an infectious, hearty laugh and he loved to be around his lifelong friends. He always wanted to be surrounded by love, good friends and family.
He loved the holidays, especially Christmas. He truly was a family man. You could always catch him on the sidelines cheering on his kids and later his grandkids in all the sports they played. He was beyond proud of them all.
Pizzuti found great joy in his time down the shore at his shore house, where his family would find him every morning at 6 a.m., riding his bike up and down the boardwalk or teaching his grandkids how to fish and crab at the local pier.
He loved his family so much and anyone that knew him would always hear how proud of them he was. He is survived by the love of his life, his Wife Rose; his son Rick; daughter Rachele and five grandchildren Rocco, Ricky, Anthony, Gianna and Jade.
memory to the Lyndhurst Fire Department, Engine Company No. 3, 299 Delafield Ave., Lyndhurst, N.J. 07071.
Theresa Pogorzelski
Theresa C. Pogorzelski, nee Miller, 89, died Monday, Aug. 12, 2024, at her home in East Newark.
Relatives and friends were invited to visit at the Thiele-Reid Family Funeral Home, 585 Belgrove Drive, Kearny. The funeral service took place in the funeral home. Entombment was in Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington.
Born in Jersey City, Theresa lived in East Newark most of her life.
She was a claims administrator at various insurance companies in New York City for over 40 years before retiring in 2001. Mrs. Pogorzelski was a member of the Rosary & Vincentian Society at Holy Cross Church in Harrison.
Theresa is survived by three daughters, Lisa Anders (Barry), Karol Cedeno and Lynn Michaels (Andy), son-in-law Kevin Barber, eight grandchildren, Jason Anders (Daniela), Lauren Carter (Lawrence), Kevin Barber (Jessica), Jaclyn Mirigliani (Brett) and Ryan, Carly, Jack and Adam Michaels. She also leaves seven great-grandchildren, Francesca and Alayna Anders, Jackson Carter, Melina Barber and Max, Vivienne and Luke Mirigliani.
He was a longtime volunteer
In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Richard’s
She was predeceased by her husband, Stanley T. Pogorzelski, one daughter, Susan Barber, one son-in-law, Alex Cedeno, two sisters, Mary Singerline and Margaret “Peggy” Flynn, two brothers, Leo Miller and Joseph “Buddy” Miller.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Serenity Hospice www.serenityhospicenj.com, East Newark Senior Citizens or to the Epidermolysis Bullosa Foundation at www. debra.org. Condolences and memories may be shared at
ENPD
Continued from Page 3
tomorrow, but why not keep that position open on the books in case we do, at some point? I think that’s what we want to get to … if there’s no reason we have to remove the rank, from the ordinance, and can add this new role to the ordinance … I would much rather and favor that approach.”
All of this became necessary after the retirement of former Chief Anthony Monteiro, who left after 20+ years of honorable service to the East Newark PD. Unfortunately at the time, the borough’s only sergeant was out on medical leave and ultimately, another sergeant was made in Robert Tomasko, who currently serves as the ranking officer-in-charge.
In making the suggestion, Sheehan specifically recommended his colleagues permanently hire Al Bringa to the position of public safety director. Bringa, a retired West New York lieutenant, has been serving in the capacity temporarily through Roberts and Associates, a company affiliated with Robert Dowd, himself a retired chief of the North Bergen Police Department, an New
Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority commissioner and the former borough clerk for a short time in East Newark.
Sheehan knows both Bringa and Dowd well and speaks glowingly of both. In fact, knew them through his work as a member of the Hudson County Association of Chiefs of Police.
Ultimately the ordinance was tabled until the council next meets on Sept. 11, 2024, at which time Sheehan hopes it will be amended to leave the chief spot in. Grilo also suggested perhaps adding the position of deputy chief to the TO, while not immediately filling the position.
Some side notes Sheehan was unable to attend the borough’s July council meeting because he is recovering from surgery and was not in the physical condition to attend it. Further, he made it clear he was blindsided by the proposed ordinance and was not immediately aware it was up for adoption.
Mayor Dina M. Grilo, meanwhile, took exception to this.
“We’ve had that conversation,” she fired back.
“Never to remove the chief rank,” Sheehan retorted. Grilo continued.
“The interim director is doing an amazing job,” the mayor said. “…We felt that this would make sense. We can’t have a director of public safety as well as a chief of police because that’s just not done … but the police department has blossomed to the potential we always knew it had. ”
Sheehan disagreed. And, clearly, some of Grilo’s remarks are easily refutable.
The nearby Jersey City and Newark police departments both employ chief and civilian director ranks — and the New York City Police Department has numerous chief as well as the position of commissioner.
The Observer’s correction policy
The Observer strives to bring our readers the best and the most accurate news.
However, from time to time, there may be mistakes in what we report. As such, we take our obligation to report errors seriously.
So, if you believe we’ve made an error, please send an e-mail to editorial@theobserver.com, indicating what is to be corrected. We will ensure a correction is noted (if necessary) in a future print edition — and online.
If access to e-mail is not possible, please call us at (201) 991-1600.
HARRISON 1st floor
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The Housing Authority of the Town of Harrison (“HHA”) is seeking to hire a Building Maintenance Worker. Full time position with medical, pension, and other benefits. Successful candidate must have general knowledge of hand tool use, plumbing, carpentry, and basic electricity. Successful candidate must have a low-pressure boiler operator license (or ability to obtain within one year of employment), have a valid N.J. driver’s license, and pass a background check.
Bilingual abilities are a plus. Applications can be obtained from HHA’s website (www.harrisonhousing.com) under the Bid/RFP/RFQ/J0b Application Section or by calling the HHA’s office (973-483-1488) to make an appointment to pick up an application. Interested individuals may submit an employment application via email to rlucas@harrisonhousing.com or by dropping it off at the HHA’s office.
The deadline for applications is September 6, 2024 at 3:00p.m.
The HHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer 16W02
We are seeking a passionate, creative and dedicated P-3 certified teacher to join our Children’s Studio family. Candidates should have experience working with young children. The position will offer the teacher the opportunity to create a nurturing learning environment and inspire young learners. Please email resumes to: Childrensstudio102@gmail.com 16W03
HARRISON
Hudson Prosecutor hosting candlelight vigil at Lincoln Park in Jersey City
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office hosts a candlelight vigil Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024, to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Month, at 6 p.m. in Jersey City’s Lincoln Park.
Now in its third year, the event is intended to help end the stigma around substance use related deaths, increase awareness about the opioid epidemic and share lifesaving resources with the community.
Speaking will be representatives from the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, victim survivors, RWJ Barnabas Health Peer Recovery specialist, Rubicon Recovery Center and others. The program will end with a moment of silence and candlelight vigil for those who have been impacted by the opioid epidemic, as well as their families.
International Overdose Awareness Day is recognized annually Aug 31. This year’s theme is “Together We Can.” “Substance use disorders can effect anyone, regardless of age or background. The unfortunate reality is, the opioid
epidemic has already shattered families and left far too many individuals feeling helpless and hopeless,” Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez said. “Each year, the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office hosts a community event during Overdose Awareness Month because we recognize that this crisis will only end if we work collaboratively to make recovery resources available to everyone. Together, we can make a difference, end the stigma, and support those on their road to recovery.”
Multiple organizations will be in attendance to share community resources. Participating organizations include the Hudson Regional Health Commission, Hudson County Department of Health and Human Services, Hudson County Department of Family Services and Reintegration, the Jersey City Department of Health and Human Services, RWJBH Institute for Prevention and Recovery, Rubicon Recovery Center, Partners in Prevention, the Kearny Prevention Coalition and others.
Preparing future football players in Harrison
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Harrison Recreation recently hosted a football camp for future Pop Warner Players at the Harrison Little League field. Staff ran the mini camp, which consisted of speed and agility training for the campers. More than 60 campers attended.
DYLAN
Continued from Page 1
worth mentioning again. And so to add to his already-impressive resume, Sullivan, with permission of his parents, left Kearny for John F. Kennedy Airport in late June where he took a flight to the
Netherlands. From there, it was another flight, on Royal Dutch Airlines, following a layover, to Tanzania.
And then, the journey of a lifetime began.
How this journey came to be It all started for Sullivan during his first year at Prep when he joined the school’s
DIRECTORY BUSINESS
Adventure Club, which is connected to an organization called the Mountain Goat Movement, which says it hopes to “cultivate a spirit of adventure and an appreciation for the great outdoors within young people.”
It all came to Prep, Sullivan says, through former English teacher Greg Morrisey, who wanted to take kids from “the
big cities” to the great outdoors. They’ve done other trips, smaller of course, but this one was the real deal.
“I wanted something that was going to take me out of my comfort zone,” Sullivan says. “I’ve never been on a trip like that before.”
Sullivan says he and Morrisey grew close — and it was Mor-
risey who invited him on this journey. One other Prep student, a sophomore, plus a Prep alumnus and a videographer were the five who went on the trip. It took 24 hours, in total, to get from JFK to the mountain.
“At first it was nerve wracking. When we were landing we were all trying to see the mountain but it was too dark,” he says
But that darkness didn’t last too long.
Once they were on the tarmac, “it just felt different.”
“The people there were just amazing,” Sullivan says. “We got acclimated to the African weather. Where we were, it could go from 100º to like 60º when the sun was gone. But we got packed and left the next morning.”
From the airport, the five journeyed to what Sullivan described as a compound/hotel. Along the way, there were people cooking food on open fires, all kinds of animals and more. After a one-day rest and recovery from jetlag, it was time to begin the nearly four-mile high climb.
Sullivan says there are four zones to the mountain: a rain forest zone, a desert, barren land and the arctic zone near the summit. The climb began from the forest zone with him and a bunch of other explorers and a bunch of monkeys, one of which took something from someone’s backpack.
“You don’t get much of that in Kearny,” Sullivan says.
Along with his group of five, three others from Tanzania were on the journey. They were guides and guards of sorts who know the terrain and the dangers.
At first, it seemed like the trek was too slow.
“But we needed to become climatized, because you can get sick very easily,” Sullivan says. “You’re slowly walking up the trail with these deep breaths, to make sure you have enough oxygen in yourself so you’re
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Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Continued from previous page
acclimated when you get to the higher levels when there’s not as much oxygen.”
Slow as it was, it was still an amazing, albeit long, day.
After a day of climbing, the five set up camp, feeling accomplished.
The quintet got up the next morning and it was misty and cloudy. Along the way, something unexpected happened.
“We were going across a certain area, probably about 11,000 or 12,000 feet up,” Sullivan says. “ … But at that point we were moving across a cliff and that cliff was very eroded and it was on sort of like an angle. The group of men (guides) were emphasizing how you have to be safe, very aware, when we were moving along this part of the cliff. They were almost holding our backs for most of it. It was scary because you look down at the cloud cover and there’s nothing but clouds beneath you.”
As this was happening, he was chatting to another in his group, mis-stepped and nearly lost his footing and fell off the cliff.
“(The guide) grabbed a hold of my coat and just said ‘we have to pay attention, you almost slipped off.’ It was an interesting experience. This is real and we have to be more and more self-aware.”
Still safe, breathing became more of a challenge at this point. The entire group was feeling altitude sickness — it’s actually called AMS, or acute mountain sickness. At this point, everyone has to address the situation. And it led to what Sullivan described as “Death Wall,” like a rock-climbing wall you’d see in America, only it was 10 times larger and there were no spokes to grip.
That day, two in the group got very sick, with one accumulating fluid in his lungs. The other two stayed behind and ultimately had to be choppered off the mountain and back to
safety. Had they not returned to the base, there’s no telling what might have happened to them.
Still, for Sullivan and the rest of the group carried on, but not before questioning whether they should just get on the helicopter and go back. But they were in day 3 of 5 — saw how far they’d gone — and there was no turning back.
They got to a point where Sullivan says he started to get very sick. It was so bad there’s a portion of the day he has no recollection of what happened. He hallucinated. He was struck by the awesomeness of the mountain. But “I was out of it.”
The group was basically at the top of the mountain, but just short of the sign that says you made it. The sickness grew worse and he vomited blood. And it was here he knew the trek was over. The group rested and the next day, rather than heading to the summit, it was time to head back.
“The porter in the group said ‘if you go any further, you will die,’” Sullivan recalls.
So very close. But come on, this is mission accomplished no matter how one looks at it.
Two days later, the remainder of the quintet made it back to the base. And fortunately, each and every person was OK for the flight back to America.
Sullivan and his companions on the journey (there’s a Jesuit reference there) were given a medal of having climbed the mountain.
“It was just awesome,” he says.
So now what does one do, aged 17, to top this?
Sullivan says he has time to think that over but there’s definitely more in store, including applying to West Point, where he has the backing of U.S. Rep. Bill Pascrell Jr., D-9. And then, there’s his senior year of high school.
“I’m ready,” he says. Ready he is, indeed. And firmly prepared to face whatever challenges may come his way.
Top photo: Day 1 of Sullivan’s journey. Bottom photo: Along the way, climbing Kilimanjaro. Notice how in this image, Sullivan is above the clouds.
