2023 Senior Athletic Awards
On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, the Arthur L. Johnson Athletic Department held their 2023 Senior Athletic Awards. The evening, sponsored by the Crusader Athletic Booster Club, was held at the Gran Centurions in Clark.
All the Senior Student Athletes, their Athletic Teams, and their seasons were highlighted by their coaches while handing out plaques and awards to the student athletes. Over 95 senior athletes were handed out a “Booster Club Achievement Plaque,” which signifies all of the sports programs that the senior athlete participated in throughout his or her high school career.
The program continued with the acknowledgements of all of the student athletes that will be continuing their academic and athletic careers playing the sports they love in College. The following Arthur L. Johnson High School Seniors will continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level:
• Maria Dante – Field Hockey and Softball – Stevens Institute of Technology – DIII – Ducks
• Sofia DiProfio – Volleyball – Montclair State University – DIII – Red Hawks
• Gianna Frino – Softball – TCNJ – DIII – Lions
• Jackson Gulbin – Baseball – Rutgers-Newark – DIII – NJAC Conference – Scarlet Raiders
• Brett Makowsky – Football – Ithaca College – DIII – Bombers
• Henry Nordstrom – Lacrosse – Western Connecticut – DIII – Wolves
• Michael Pedalino – Baseball – Rutgers-Newark – DIII – NJAC Conference – Scarlet Raiders
• Eva Puentes – Soccer – College of Mount Saint Vincent – DIII – Dolphins
• Julia Ranski – Field Hockey – Montclair State University – DIII – Red Hawks
• Jenna Reider – Field Hockey – Eastern University – DIII – Eagles
• David Rodriguez – Baseball – Saint Elizabeth University – DIII – Colonial States Athletic Conference – Eagles
• Ashley Samsel – Basketball – Kean University – DIII – Cougars
• Annabella Velaj – Soccer – Rutgers-Newark – DIII – Scarlet Raiders
• Grace Warnick – Field Hockey – Salve Regina – DIII – Seahawks
• Thomas Woods – Basketball – FDU – DIII – xxx – Devils
The evening culminated with the announcement of multiple awards and scholarships.
In its second year, the Timothy Poskay Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship was presented to a senior student athlete that participated in the sport of boys’ lacrosse. “Timmy” was an avid fan of Crusader Athletics. While attending ALJ High School, he participated in Football, Ice Hockey and Lacrosse. He continued as a fan of Johnson sports (specifically lacrosse) while his younger brother played and he even went on to be the junior varsity coach for a couple of seasons with Coach Anthony Calandra and Coach Lou VanBergen. Tim was a stong athlete, but his athletic ability paled in comparison to the contributions he brought to the teams he was part of. He was one of the funniest people many of us knew and his infectious personality was nothing short of contagious. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing Tim has a story to share about him. He was truly the brightest light in every room he entered. In his memory Timmy’s family … Beverly, Noel, and Matthew, would like to offer a $1,000.00 scholarship to a member of the lacrosse team who exemplifies the intangible characteristics that Timmy possessed … the ability to positively affect the demeanor of every practice and a desire to simply play for the pure love of the game.
The 2nd Annual Timothy Poskay Memorial Lacrosse Scholarship is awarded to: Henry Nordstrom.
The Richard Superak Field Hockey, Basketball, & Lacrosse Scholarships are presented to senior field hockey players each year. This year the Superak family expanded the scholarship to include a basketball and a lacrosse player as well. Richard Superak became a fan of Johnson Crusader Field Hockey when his granddaughter, Morgan Atanasio, began playing in the fall of 2006. After winning both a County title and a State Sectional championship while she was in high school, Morgan went on to have an illustrious career at Hobart William Smith College. Morgan attributes much of her success in college to the discipline she acquired during her time as a student-athlete at ALJ. Many of Morgan’s teammates also had stellar college field hockey careers. Richard Superak remained a fan of Johnson Field Hockey, becoming a fixture in the JFH Family. This year, the family continues a scholarship foundation in his name that will assist in the collegiate efforts of former Crusader Field Hockey, Basketball and Lacrosse players.
The 7th Annual Richard Superak Scholarships are awarded to: Jenna Reider (Field Hockey), Anthony LaPorta (Basketball), and Dylan Perrotto (Lacrosse).
The Jeffrey Felter / Michael Sot Memorial Scholarship Presentation is given to one senior baseball player each year. Its origin began a few years ago as the baseball team, led by Coach Dave Kennedy, honored our 1974 alumni with a 40th Year Anniversary of the 1974 State Sectional Championship Baseball Team. That day was highlighted by the announcement that our alumni would be donating a scholarship in honor of one of their classmates that had passed away. This has expanded this past year in order to also honor Michael Sot along with their friend.
The 9th Annual Jeffrey Felter / Michael Sot Memorial Scholarship to: Steven McCaffery, Anthony Curcio, Anthony LaPorta, Joshua Laucik, and Nicholas Lettini.
The Louis Peragallo Memorial Scholarship … Louis Peragallo was a beloved figure throughout the township of Clark and was an admired athletic administrator within the entire State of New Jersey. Coach Peragallo was the longest tenured Athletic Director in the history of Arthur L. Johnson High School and has both a street leading to our turf field and our lower gymnasium named after him due to the impact he had on anyone who ever crossed paths with him. His memory continues to live on through the scholarships that bear his name.
The 5th Annual Louis Peragallo Scholarships to … Melissa Mitjans & Matthew Jean-Louis.
Executive Director of The UCIAC and Clark School District Board of Education member, Mr. Tom Lewis, annually presents multiple U.C.I.A.C. Scholarships to deserving senior student athletes. Throughout the year, Arthur L. Johnson High School collaborates with the Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference to host many Union County Tournament games and Championships. This partnership allows us to highlight our wonderful facilities, but more importantly, it affords us the ability to present several scholarships to deserving senior student athletes at our yearly banquet.
The Investor Savings U.C.I.A.C. Scholarships to … Joseph Walsh, Matthew Froden, Ashley Samsel, Eva Puentes, Shealyn Zawacki, Jackson Gulbin, Gianna Frino and Anthony Jacobs.
Booster Club President, Mr. Jimmy Minniti, next presented the ALJ Booster Club Outstanding Athlete Awards and Book Scholarships.
The recipients for the Outstanding Athlete Awards were: Sofia DiProfio and Thomas Woods.
The recipients for the Book Scholarship were: Rebecca Fogle, Grace Warnick and Timothy Ford.
The Thomas Santaguida Sportsmanship Scholarship…the Booster Club recognizes Tom Santaguida for all his efforts and professionalism while serving as the Athletic Director at ALJ for six years. Tom was a model of sportsmanship, ethics, and integrity and an example for all of us to follow. In his memory, the ALJ Booster Club annually awards scholarships to students who exhibit the qualities that Tom was so well known for. The recipients always treated teammates with respect, they won and lost with dignity, they respected the judgment of officials, and accepted seriously the responsibility and privilege of representing Arthur L. Johnson and the communities of Clark and Garwood.
The recipients for the Thomas Santaguida Sportsmanship Scholarship were: Brett Makowsky, Steven McCaffery, and Jake Vito.
The Athletic Director, Gus Kalikas, had this to say about the event: “The Senior Athletic Awards are a wonderful event that allowed the administration, teachers, coaches, parents, and student athletes a chance to reflect on four wonderful years competing as an Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusader while honoring our senior student athletes for their remarkable accomplishments. Although the contributions from this senior class were great and will be missed, we look forward to seeing what they can accomplish in college over the next four years.”
