(above) Lauren Palermo, Rahway High School Broadcasting Teacher and
Matthew Q. Milligan, 2019 Rahway High School Rising Star.
Rahway High School Names the 2019 Rising Star, Matt Milligan
On Wednesday, June 5, the Rahway High School Class of 2019 gathered for Awards Night. Among those seniors was Matt Milligan, who at the end of the evening was announced as the 2019 RHS Rising Star. This is the third year of this prestigious campaign, which was an outgrowth of the Rahway Arts and Business Partnership and the Rahway’s Own campaign. One student, who was nominated and vetted, is selected from each school. Posters are made and hung throughout the district as an incentive for students to aspire to one day be selected as Rahway’s Own. Matt was nominated by Lauren Palermo, his broadcasting teacher of three years. On Monday, June 3, there was a ceremony announcing and honoring all of the Rising Stars and the next crop of Rahway’s Own, who will be fêted in the fall.
Matt’s announcement was met with uproarious applause and cheers. He was presented his award by last year’s recipient and also Ms. Palermo’s nominee, Joshua Moorehead, and the members of the RABP, Amy Garcia Phillips, Ann Marie Williams and Mayor Giacobbe. Matt is an incredible and deserving young man who undoubtedly will make a name for himself and his hometown.
Matt is a singer/songwriter, actor, dancer, choreographer, media expert, producer and entrepreneur. Matt has been an integral of the RHS Performing Arts department as well. He already has his own business, Matt Q. Productions. Matt’s work and professionalism is of such a caliber, that he could be working as a producer now. As a member of KUDOS, the high school broadcasting class, for three years, he has already left a legacy as far as his media, music, and production skills. Matt has been in and produced many shows for the school. He won Montclair State’s prestigious Foxy award for his sound design for high school production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
He has lent his talents and skills to other school events and organizations since the sixth grade. Matt’s deftness and work ethic belies his age. He is professional in dealing with both peers and adults. He remains cool, calm and collected while juggling many things and people.
Ms. Palermo is incredibly proud that all three Rising Stars have been her students and two were selected for their work in media arts. “It has been a privilege to witness Matt’s growth as an artist, director, producer, media expert, singer, dancer and person. One would be hard-pressed to find a student as talented, competent and accomplished. Each time Matt does something he ups the ante. I am confident that Matt will be joining the pantheon of Rahway luminaries sooner rather than later.”
Photo by Rahway Public Schools
