SCHOOL

PASCACK VALLEY

DEAN’S LIST AND MORE:ALUMNIACHIEVEMENT

PASCACK PRESSSALUTES the Pascack Valleyʼs highachieving alumni of our area high schools. Hereʼs what theyʼve been up to lately, according to their schools and families…

•Among those making the Deanʼs List at Hamilton College for the spring 2022 semester: Eric Cortes-Kopp of the Township of Washington. Cortes-Kopp, a May graduate (Pascack Press, July 4), majored in history at Hamilton; and

Hannah Vogt

of Westwood. Vogt, a rising sophomore.

VOGT Both are graduates of Westwood Regional High School. • Lauren Martinez of River Vale, salutatorian of the Pascack Valley High School Class of 2018, graduated magna cum laude with a BS in human and organizational development and a minor in business from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday, May 13. • During commencement ceremonies in May, Lehigh University conferred to Caroline McCormack of Montvale a master of science in management degree with a major in management. • Giavanna Tabbachino of Emerson graduated with a master of engineering degree with majors in management science and engineering. •Named to the deanʼs list for the spring 2022 semester at Quinnipiac University:from Emerson: Brianna Galeazza and Brianna Romano; from Hillsdale: Bianca Belmonte, Alexandra Feldman, Keemia Pico, Robyn Roznitsky, and Zachary Schneider. From Montvale: Kyle Chutjian, Andrew Del Priore, Vanessa Geerlof, Matthew Goldman, Julia Kreusch, and Peter Skibin. From Park Ridge: Kristina Anzilotti, Michelle Galdi, Lauren Nicolich, Robert Nicolich, Catherine Tallman, and Thomas Thomasian. From River Vale: Brendan Falconer, Gabriella Lo Piccolo, Jeffrey Patalano, John Patalano, Camryn Teadore, Bradley Zirlin, and Samantha Lashvili. From the Township of Washington: Christopher Blagec, Allison Frins, Alexa Hywel, Amanda Nelson, and Skylar Scasserra. From Westwood: John Burns and Daniel Francis. From Woodcliff Lake: Joseph Bucello. • Sabrina Low was named to the Miami University spring 2021–22 Presidentʼs List. Low, from River Vale, is earning a B.S. in engineering and a B.S. in computer science in biomedical engineering. • Lindsay Davis was named to the deanʼs list at Miami University for the 2021–22 spring semester. Davis, from Park Ridge, is earning a B.S. in business – marketing, dance minor. • James Madison University is pleased to announce that the following students made the Presidentʼs List for the spring 2022 semester: Samuel Cassidy of Hillsdale, majoring in communication studies; Andrew Sklavounos of Township of Washington, majoring in engineering; and Jianna Varga of Township of Washington, majoring in health sciences. •James Madison University is pleased to announce that the following students made the Deanʼs List for the spring 2022 semester: Erik Zeltner of Township of Washington, majoring in accounting; Payton Moran of Montvale, majoring in communication sciences and disorders; Caitlin Gallahue of Park Ridge, majoring in communication sciences and disorders; Cara DiCuffa of Westwood, majoring in elementary education; Emma Sungela of River Vale, majoring in English; Georgia Curcurato of Hillsdale, majoring in general psychology; James Smith of River Vale, majoring in health services administration; Emma Pasqualino of Emerson, majoring in international affairs; Brianna Oliveira of Hillsdale, majoring in special education; and Craig Hoffman of River Vale, majoring in sport and recreation management. •Township of Washingtonʼs

Aidan Jacob Fried-Fernandez

made Centenary Universityʼs Deanʼs List for Spring 2022. •Susquehanna University congratulates its deanʼs list students, including Tristan Costanza of Montvale, Class of 2025, majoring in biomedical sciences; and Erin Wilson, of Westwood, Class of 2022, majoring in luxury brand marketing and management. •Named to the College of Charleston Spring 2022 Deanʼs List: Olivia Tavani of the Township of Washington, majoring in marketing. •SUNY New Paltz announces its Deanʼs List for the spring 2022 semester, including Lauren Romanski of Emerson,

Nicholas Goetz and Emma Robinson of the Township of Washington, and David Joo of River Vale. • Samuel Waldron, of Montvale was among the 1,204 students who graduated from Shenandoah University during the 2021–22 academic year. Waldron earned a doctorate in physical therapy. •Among those graduating the University of Tampa on May 7 were Alexandre Santos of Montvale, bachelor of science in DAVIS finance; Kiara Smith of River Vale, bachelor of arts in design; Madison Catherman of Westwood, bachelor of science in education–elementary (K-6); and Stephanie Perini of Hillsdale, bachelor of science in business information technology. • Dylan Henry of Township of Washington was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma National Honor Society on May 6 at Western New England University. Henry, who plays football, is working toward a BSE in mechanical

HENRY

CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

BY MICHAEL OLOHAN

OF PASCACK PRESS

HILLSDALE

Following criticism that school district officials have not provided townwide public outreach about the proposed $82.5 million George G. White Middle School replacement referendum set for spring, school trustees approved a public relations contract July 18 for up to $55,000 to help get the word out.

Trustees hired Laura Bishop Communications LLC of Cherry Hill to undertake communications and public relations services for the March 14, 2023 referendum.

At a late June health curriculum forum, board vice president Sal Sileo confirmed a public relations firm would soon be hired to assist in district communications about the referendum.

Should the boardʼs $82.5 million referendum be approved it will cost the average homeowner an additional $100 monthly in taxes, or about $1,300 yearly over a 20year bond term, said school officials.

The consultant had previously been hired in Emerson, Cresskill, River Vale, and Montvale, to work on local school referendum projects. All prior referendum votes were mostly approved.

“Fees will be billed on an invoice basis with a maximum budget of $40,000 over the contract period. Professional video production would be an additional $15,000,” states the resolution approved July 18.

Under Laura Bishop CommunicationsʼMarch proposal to the district, the company stated, “Based on our experience working on bond referendum campaigns similar to the one for Hillsdale Public Schools, we estimate fees will range from $35,000 to $40,000 for referendum communications, community engagement and Get Out the Vote efforts. The fees include collateral materialsʼlayout, design and preparation for printing, but do not include printing or mailing costs, or other pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses, such as video, photography and giveaways.”

The proposal adds, “The Hillsdale proposal may ask taxpayers for a significant investment, just as taxpayers a century ago contributed to the construction of George G. White School. But regardless of the size of the district or the scope of the proposed projects, a bond referendum requires knowledge of the subject matter, specific skills, and many hours to educate constituents. We apply our proven approach to develop and implement a communications campaign, while also relieving much of the time burden placed on the district, so administrators and school boards can continue to focus on day-to-day operations.”

At an April meeting where options to renovate or replace the century-old George G. White Middle School were initially discussed, plus a subsequent meeting with older residents and a June 13 school board meeting where trustees okayed a March 2023 referendum school officials were criticized for not adequately publicizing the middle school options and possible costs for taxpayers.

At one point during the June 13 public meeting, where about 30 residents attended, then-board president Shane Svorec and resident Adam Hampton traded tense words over what Svorec viewed as negative social media comments about board referendum transparency by Hampton.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

HAPPYSUMMER

484 KINDERKAMACK RD., RIVER EDGE, NJ

OUR SERVICES ARE:

Repairs on Gold,Silver Costume Jewelry • Pearl Restringing Diamond Setting Personalized Jewelry Custom Jewelry Design

FREE JEWELRY CLEANING WATCH BATTERIES $3 WE BUY GOLD, SILVER & DIAMONDS

201-342-4400 • MARSELSJEWELRY@YAHOO.COM

FREE ESTIMATES FULLY INSURED

Maintenance • Design Sod • Plantings • Topsoil Hardscapes • Mulch LLC Snow Services & More 201.730.SOIL RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL

NJ LIC.# 13VH09452200