MAY 2003

Off to see the wizard

Denise Homiak, as Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz says goodbye to Valerie Greco as the Scarecrow (left) as Amy Collins, playing the Cowardly Lion, looks on during Wednesday's production at Collings Lakes School.

COLLINGS LAKES -- There's no place like Collings Lakes Elementary School for staging "The Wizard of Oz."

The hour-long show featured memorable performances by about 50 students and, for the first time ever, faculty and staff. It garnered so much applause it very nearly brought down the house Wednesday.

Students in the audience -- who were treated to a special afternoon viewing of the production -- hollered and cheered for Dorothy and her sidekicks as they made their way through Munchkinland.

A later performance was held for parents. Donations were collected for the American Red Cross in support of American troops overseas.

The musical tied in to the theme of this month's character education program -- self-esteem.

The parable of the Wizard of Oz is indeed "to believe in yourself, to believe that your dreams can come true," said first grade teacher Denise Homiak. Homiak organized the production in conjunction with the school's music department, led by music teacher Sharon Ricci.

The musical gave students the opportunity to interact on stage with faculty members, who skilfully performed the musical's leading roles.

Students -- who ranged from kindergarten to fifth grade -- shined in the various roles of muchkins and flying monkeys.

The student-packed chorus belted out the familiar tunes of "Follow the yellow break road" and "Somewhere over the rainbow."

The musical production exceeded the highest expectations of Principal Dan Benedetto, who called it one of the best performances he'd seen since he came on board 10 years ago.

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St. Augustine Preparatory -- Class of 2003

Welcoming Address

Speaker

·  Joshua Jordan

·  Son of Barbara and Randy Jordan of Elmer

·  Will attend Northeastern University and major in theater.

Graduates

* Indicates Honors

John Carlisle

Ackerman III *

Collin L. Allen*

Thomas Amundsen*

Joseph W. April*

Patrick Casey Berenato

Michael B. Bergamo*

Brian S. Bertonazzi

Nicholas James Bolton

Justin M. Borek*

Jonathan J. Borgese

Anthony Robert

Bracalente*

Frank J. Branella*

Patrick David Brisbin*

Paul J. Brown*

Michael Vincent

Brumbach*

Bradley John Buckelew*

George W. Cappuccio III*

Jason I. Chen*

Edwin Cintron*

Michael T. Collins*

Brad Michael Conicello

Patrick Andrew Creary*

Joseph Cristella

Kyle Robert Custer*

Andrew L. Danieli

Justin Jeffrey DeLiberis*

Michael Joseph

DeSimone*

Michael A. DiJoseph*

Justin DiRusso*

Michael V. DiSanto*

David M. D'Onofrio*

Christopher J. Egan

Christopher M. Evans

Matthew C. Federici*

Sean Joseph Fisher*

Anthony A. Flaim*

Chad Flexon*

Jamaal W. Forman

Marc A. Franks

Scott M. Gaffney

Richard Thomas

Garbutt Jr.*

Joseph G. Garofalo*

Philip Orlando Giordano*

William Albert Haas II

David P. Hagel Jr.*

William E. Hahn*

Robert M. Harkins II*

Shawn B. Holloway *

Jeffrey M. Hoover*

Gregory S. Hughes*

Antonio Illiano*

Kyle R. Jaep*

Michael Scott Janes*

Joshua R. Jordan*

Christopher E. Kendrex* -

President's award

recipient

Joseph George Kovba*

Justin Mark Lampe*

Howard L. Lanier III

Ryan T. LeRoy

Scott H. Lewis

Nicholas P. Lombardi*

Adam M. Longino*

Timothy M. McDevitt*

Shawn McGee*

Brian William Meade*

Denny T. Millar*

Andrew J. Milne*

Matthew Molnar

Andrew L. Montagna*

Jesse Leon Noa*

Steven J. Occhiolini*

Roy D. Orr*

Nathan Joel Pagano

Scott Christopher Pepe*

Mark Anthony Petrongolo

Andrew Joseph Pippett

Matthew S. Porreca*

Raymond D. Poudrier*

Matthew R.Quigley*

Michael R. Repici*

Kevin J. Rizzottte

David J. Sauro*

Ralph J. Sellitto*

Anthony D. Sparano IV*

Jarad K. Stiles*

Christopher J. Suboleski*

Manuel Taylor III

Ralph B. Tiz Jr.*

Matthew N. Tomasic*

John W. Tracy Jr.*

Jeffrey P. Utke

Frank Anthony Valla Jr.*

William Vaughan*

Durell Scott Vinson

Conor Wall*

Edward G. Wickham*

Daniel T. Wilson*

Christopher Michael

Windover*

Brain Michael Wolf*

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St. Augustine grads urged to keep doing the impossible

BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP - St. Augustine Preparatory School's Class of 2003 "will go down in prep history as one of the great classes to go through our school," the school president said Thursday.

The Rev. Paul Galetto made his remarks in a homily during a Baccalaureate Mass preceding commencement exercises, held in the gymnasium on the school's campus in the Richland section of the township.

Galetto proposed St. Rita - the patron saint of the impossible - as the patron of the 99-member class, "because you, gentlemen, have accomplished the impossible."

He urged them to keep on doing it.

Among the class accomplishments cited by Galetto and graduating senior Joshua Jordan: the highest SAT scores and the most scholarship money - more than $10 million - awarded any class in the school's history.

The school won the state golf championship all four years the class was there. It also won the state wrestling title, among other honors.

Jordan, who delivered an address before the Mass, said beating the then-seniors in an annual tug of war contest when he and his classmates were freshmen "started us off on the most successful journey in the school's history."

"I sincerely pray that you all have wonderful lives with no regrets," Jordan told his classmates.

Senior Anthony Bracalente, in a farewell address after the awarding of diplomas, analogized the class' graduation to a scene from the film "Lord of the Rings," when Frodo Baggins and the fellowship, having passed through Moria, must cross the thin bridge of Khazad-Dum with only a vague idea of what they would encounter on the other side.

"We have received a solid foundation from St. Augustine Prep," Bracalente said. "It is time for us to go take the next step forward. We need not fear the bridge, or falling into the chasm, or what we will find on the other side, because we are ready for what life has to hurl at us. We are prepared. Step out onto the bridge and begin your journey."

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St. Mary's students take the stage to send off Sister Bernardine

EAST VINELAND -- St. Mary's Regional School students banded together to end Principal Sister Bernardine's 26-year career at the school on a high note.

For the past few weeks, the student body stealthily produced a farewell musical. The show took center stage Thursday afternoon.

Debbie Albano, the school's music instructor, put in extra hours composing the show's soundtrack. She helped customize classic showtunes from "Sister Act" to "Bye Bye Birdie" to help students express their appreciation for their principal.

Teachers and students crafted costumes and props between lessons.

Staff members agreed it was difficult to keep the secret from their hands-on principal. School secretary Cindy Flaim had to devise a strategy to confine the guest of honor to her office all day Wednesday to allow for an undercover dress rehearsal.

The event went off without a hitch.

Pre-kindergartners perfectly executed lyrics and choreography while eighth-graders showed off their advanced technology skills with a "Super Sister" blockbuster video.

Sister Bernardine, 78, had a front row seat as each class offered its tribute. She heartily applauded each performance, even when they were playfully irreverent.

When she was in Vineland High School, Sister Bernardine -- then called Minne Lolli -- was known for her math wizardry.

In her class of 1942 yearbook, she said her ambition was to become a bookkeeper.

But she found a different calling and devoted herself to the church and Catholic education.

No taller than the fifth-graders, she walked the corridors each day greeting students.

"I know every child by name," she said. "I was like a second mother to them."

She listened to youngsters when they talked. She reined them in when they were headed in the wrong direction and, most of all, she urged them to show off their talents.

"I have enjoyed every day because of the students," a smiling Sister Bernardine told the assembly, which included several children whose parents were among her first crop of students.

Sister Bernardine will retire officially when the eighth-grade class graduates June 18. She will remain in the area. She plans to reside at Villa Rossello and work with Catholic Charities.

In light of the students' creative spirits, Thursday was a dress-down day.

But pre-kindergartner Anthony Giandiletti Jr. belted out his rendition of "There's no one exactly like you," in his school uniform, a subtle tribute to the principal.

Students presented Sister Bernardine with a $1,600 travel certificate that they hope she uses to visit her family in Italy.

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        Address:    Buena Vista Township
                         890 Harding Highway, PO Box 605
                         Buena NJ, 08310

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