ALJ 2021 Senior Athletic Awards
Submitted by Gus Kalikas
The Arthur L. Johnson Athletic Department held their 2021 Senior Athletic Awards ceremony on June 15th. 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 100 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:
- Kyle Adorno (Baseball – Kean University – Cougars)
- Rachel Burkard (Soccer – TCNJ – Lions)
- Devyn Calas (Field Hockey – Moravian College – Greyhounds)
- Brandon Costa (Soccer – Rutgers Newark – Scarlett Raiders)
- Jordan Downey (Wrestling – Ursinus College – Bears)
- Anthony Ferreira (Lacrosse – Stockton University – Ospreys)
- Griffin Jones (Football – Norwich University – Cadet)
- Michele Kukan (Field Hockey – Ramapo College – Roadrunners)
- Aiden Laughery (Basketball – Pennsylvania College of Technology – Wildcats)
- Vincent Papa (Football – FDU – Knights)
- Augustine Puentes (Soccer & Basketball – Drew University – Rangers)
- William Sasse (Baseball – Middlesex County College – Blue Colts)
- Carly Tarentino (Track & Field – University of Virginia – Cavaliers)
The evening culminated with the announcement of multiple awards and scholarships.
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 4th Annual Richard Superak Scholarships are awarded to: Gianna Caldiero (Field Hockey), Courtney Marano (Field Hockey), Brandon Castro (Basketball), and Anthony Ferreira (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 6th Annual Jeffrey Felter Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Daniel McCaffery.
The Louis Peragallo Memorial Scholarship was also awarded. 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 2nd Annual Louis Peragallo Scholarship was awarded to Michelle Kukan and Greg Lordi.
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 partners with the Union County Interscholastic Athletic Conference to host many Union County Tournament games and Championships. This partnership allows us to showcase 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 UCIAC Scholarship recipients are Gia Colicchio, Kayla Bowen, Jordan Downey and James Lordi.
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: (Female Athlete) Carly Tarentino and (Male Athlete) Joseph Greenbush.
The recipients for the Book Scholarship were: (Female Athlete) Gia Colicchio and (Male Athlete) Matthew Zukowski.
The Thomas Santaguida Sportsmanship Scholarship was also awarded by the Booster Club. 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: (Female Athlete) Gianna Caldiero and (Male Athlete) Steven Acosta.
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 a wonderful four 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.”
Photos by Clark Public Schools
