It’s not every day that a group of North Bergen youngsters get a chance to have an elegant lunch in the Grand Ballroom of New York’s famed Waldorf-Astoria hotel.
However, more than 100 eighth graders from Robert Fulton School got the golden opportunity last week when they were the invited guests to attend the annual Federal Law Enforcement Foundation’s awards luncheon at the historic hotel.
The students were permitted to dine with some of the finest federal law enforcement officers in the country, as well as hear the speeches of famed speakers like former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and former Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda.
The Fulton School eighth graders were selected to attend because of the work of North Bergen resident Ivellise Perez, whose son, Edgar, is an eighth grader at the school. Ivellise Perez, who volunteers her services helping the foundation, suggested that her son’s classmates attend the luncheon when the foundation’s organizers were looking for students to participate.
Needless to say, that made Edgar a very popular kid in school, because the students got a day off thanks to his mom.
“Everyone was happy,” Edgar Perez said. “Even kids who didn’t even know me were coming up to me to thank me.”
Edgar, who is a big baseball fan, was happy to meet Lasorda. He was also able to get his picture taken with Kissinger.
Fellow eighth grader Ema Mitrovic said that it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“It was a fascinating experience,” Mitrovic said. “Mr. Kissinger was a great speaker and I thought he got his point across. It was the best field trip we’ve ever been on. I liked talking to the law officers. It was grand. Who else gets a chance to do something like that?”
Robert Fulton School Principal Patrick Capotorto thought that the entire day was great for his students, especially since the Federal Law Enforcement Foundation presented the students with a check for $1,000 to establish an anti-bullying program in the school.
“There were officers from the CIA, the Secret Service, the FBI, INS, all of the federal law enforcement agencies there,” Capotorto said. “Our students were sitting with them, talking with them, learning about their careers. There are not many kids who get that opportunity. Plus, Henry Kissinger and Tommy Lasorda were talking directly to our kids. Our students were all dressed up. They looked like young adults. They were treated so well. It was a great opportunity for our students and our school.”
Added Capotorto, “Then, they presented a check to us as well. It really was a great day. I know I was impressed and I know our students really enjoyed the day.”
Transportation to and from the luncheon was also provided, courtesy of the foundation.
According to John Belluardo, the district’s director for the Student Assistance Resource Program (SARP), the money will go to the school’s Character Education program, which has already been instilled as part of the regular curriculum.
“We’ve decided that it will go to the anti-bullying program,” Belluardo said. “It’s a great way to build up the students’ self esteem. The money will enhance the program that has already been in place.”
The program is designed to help students from pre-kindergarten through fourth grade learn more about civic awareness, self respect and respect for others, integrity and other personal issues.
Character Education has been a part of the regular North Bergen schools system since last year.
Edgar Perez said that he was happy to have been of such service to his classmates, but he also learned a lot by attending the luncheon.
“I received some books about the different officers,” Perez said. “It was a very interesting day. I was able to learn how the officers were able to stop bad things from happening. It was a great day for everyone.”