Alexander J. Diaz of North Bergen, recently accepted by Harvard University in Massachusetts and Yale University in Connecticut, has chosen Harvard instead, and has received a $38,000 scholarship to his credit.
Alex has just graduated from Saint Peter’s Prep in Jersey City as Number 1 in his class ranking, with a 4.0 average this past June. Alex played on the prep’s varsity basketball team, and also has received gold medals academically in English and Science. He was also the recipient of the John McGovern Award for achievement and spirit as a student athlete. Alex has also been awarded an internship with Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City in neurosurgery. Thus, Alex is an exceptional young man with many talents. He also has volunteered his time at the Palisade Emergency Shelter in Union City (PERC), in order to serve North Hudson County’s homeless population.
In the past, he volunteered at a Jesuit Mission in Ecuador in South America to build homes and educate families and their children there to live and lead a better life.
Alex is a product of the Union City public school system. He graduated from the Jose Marti Middle School as valedictorian, before entering St. Peter’s Prep. Moreover, if he looks familiar, and if he were older, he would pass as a twin brother to his proud father Manuel R. Diaz, also of North Bergen, who currently is the director of the emergency food and shelter department of the North Hudson Community Action Corporation in West New York. Mr. Diaz, also known as “Manny,” is a former elected commissioner of Union City, and was the first elected Hispanic commissioner in the city’s history. Elected with the legendary team of former and deceased Mayor and State Senator William V. Musto, Mr. Diaz served on the commission with former Mayor Arthur Wichert, and former Commissioner Rhyta Musto.
Mr. Diaz as a proud father, and tells us that his lovely wife of seven years Gina is also very proud of Alex, and that his brothers David and Daniel, are also very proud of him. Mr. Diaz and Gina have also celebrated their 7th wedding anniversary this past June, which makes that month a very festive one within the family.
His wife Gina is a teacher of nursing at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in Essex County, and she is also an assistant professor of nursing at Lehman College/CUNY in Manhattan. Gina is currently also pursuing a doctoral degree. As for Mr. Diaz, he achieved a bachelor’s degree in political science at Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City in 1976, and achieved a doctor of jurisprudence degree at Rutgers University, Essex County in 1979.
Thus it seems that the Diaz family is highly motivated in setting an educational standard in order to help serve the community in which they live as well as serve.
Thus, to Alex Diaz, a Leader of Tomorrow, make your father, and your family proud, and All the best!
Mauricio Espinoza of Union City, and Rosa Paulino of Weehawken, have graduated summa cum laude; and Estrella Gonzalez of Weehawken, and Maydarlin Reyes-Guerra of Union City have graduated cum laude, from Kean University in Essex County, New Jersey. Congratulations!
The Manischewitz Company of Secaucus has named Gary J. Pinkowski as vice president of sales and trade marketing; and Kevin O’Brien was named vice president for customer service and key accounts. Best wishes to you both!
Religious Sisters Marie De Curtis and Benedict Paonessa, F.S.P. are celebrating their 60 year Jubilees in the religious life, as teachers at Saint Joseph’s School in West New York, announced Roman Catholic Archibishop John J. Myers, of the Archdiocese of Newark. Many happy returns of your Jubilee year!
Guttenberg’s Athletic Living Legend Brian Guaschino tells us that he has gained some weight around his middle, and plans to start walking the streets again with fellow past college track star and present Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega to work it all off. Hey Brian, you both just might get Dr. Robert Van Zanten, retired West New York superintendent of schools, and West New York Mayoral Aide Neil Carroll to join you! Imagine you four guys walking the streets together. Powerhouse(s)-On-The- Hudson! And away we go!
And so it goes …until next time …see you around town …“MATT.”
(Readers who may want to contribute to this column can do so by mailing your news items and photographs, along with your name, address, and telephone number to “Matthew Amato,” columnist, c/o The Hudson Reporter, 1400 Washington St., Hoboken, NJ 07030. Thank you!