About six years ago, when the graduating class of 2001 arrived as seventh graders in Secaucus Middle School, teachers began to talk. There was something special about this class, something that stood out in a variety of areas, but in particular in academics. Teachers claimed these students seemed more skilled as a group than most whom the school system had seen in many years.
“We used to hear a lot about how bright these students were,” said Frank Bartletta, guidance counselor at Secaucus High School. “This year’s class received $800,000 in academic scholarships. That does not include student loans or scholarships for sports.”
The ceremony honoring these kids and awarding the scholarships was held at the Radisson Hotel in Secaucus on June 5. The highlight of the night came when the audience of several hundred people gave valedictorian Arjyo Chakravarti a standing ovation.
Not only did Chakravarti win all the major departmental awards this year and scholarships from numerous clubs; he managed to get a perfect 1600 on the SATs and has been awarded a full scholarship to Princeton University.
Scholarship and departmental award recipients
The scholarships were awarded as follows:
Jully Kim received the Secaucus Public Education Foundation Scholarship.
Christen Furka and Michael Wade, the Paul Amico Scholarships.
Susan Bartolozzi,Christen Furka, Natalie Furka, Vincent Gerbasio, Tara Gregorio, Brian Harth, Erin Kane, Ana Montoya and Diana Totaro, the PBA George Rennie Scholarships.
Jennifer Salerno, the Huber Street PTA Grace Rouse Memorial Scholarship.
Jaime Feola, the Huber Street PTA Mrs. Norine Bassford, Past President Scholarship.
Louis Siafakas, the Clarendon School PTA Sophie Kohler Memorial Scholarship.
Natalie Segro, the Clarendon School PTA Past Presidents Memorial Scholarship.
Joseph Alfieri, the Clarendon Alumni Scholarship.
Brian Coar and Carissa Rubio, Secaucus Education Association Scholarships.
Lisa Van Es, the Frank Verdiramo, Jr. Memorial Scholarship.
Natalie Furka, the Ralph M. Guma, Sr. Memorial Scholarship.
Stephanie Bailey-Schiavo, the K & S Social & Athletic Club scholarship.
Christopher Gasser, Michael Gerbasio, Vincent Gerbasio and Natalie Segro, the Joseph Robert Bator Memorial Scholarship .
Brian Coar, Anthony DeBari, Jill Dubrow, Jaime Feola, Daniel Farinoa, Vincent Gerbasio, Maleesa Phemsint, Jessica Piental and Louis Siafakas, the Secaucus Band Parents Association Scholarships.
Robert Dornan, the Patrick Walker Memorial Scholarship.
Louis Siafakas, the Garden State Concert Band-George M. Holley Memorial Scholarship
Jaime Feola and Ana Montoya, the Foreign Language Club Scholarship.
Jonathan Corbett and Jaime Feola, Kiwanis Scholarships.
Jonathan Corbett, The President Edward Tomasi Memorial Scholarship.
Robert Dornan, Michael Gerbasio, Vincent Gerbasio, Michael Kuechler, Michael Wade, TiffanyAciz and Eric Kane, Patriot Booster Club Scholarships.
Ana Montoya, the Secaucus Hudson Lodge No. 72 Scholarship.
Joseph Alfieri and Danielle Bonito, PTSA Scholarship.
Arjyo Chakravarti, the National Merit Scholarship.
Christopher Paciga, the Trust Company Bank Scholarship.
Robert Dornan, the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Scholarship.
Christen Furka, The Court State Scholarship.
Arjyo Chakravarti, the Bergen Record Scholarship.
Tara Gregorio, the 200 Club of Hudson County Scholarship.
Departmental awards
The Department Awards were given out to the following:
Music Director’s Award: Louis Siafakas and Brian Coar.
Choral Award: Maleesa Phemsint.
Physical Education: Female Danielle Pappalardo; Male, Robert Dornan.
Fine Arts: Vivian Hu.
Business: Jonathan Meicke.
Social Studies: Arjyo Chakravarti.
Science: Arjyo Chakravarti.
English: Arjyo Chakravarti.
Word Language: Daniel Farinola.
Graphic Technology: Vanessa Ramirez.
Math: Arjyo Chakravarti and Brian Coar.
Other Awards
Students were also awarded a variety of graduating awards and honors as follows:
Citizenship Award: Michael Wade.
Valedictorian: Arjyo Chakravarti.
Salutatorian: Brian Coar.
Alumni Award: John Scheiner.
Community Honor Roll Award: Bill Rooney – Panasonic Co.
Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars: Susan Bartolozzi, Arjyo Chakravarti, Brian Coar, Jonathan Corbett, Jully Kim, Doris Lui, Maleesa Phemsint and Michael Wade.
Presidential Academic Excellence Awards: Jason Aguilos, Susan Bartolozzi, Danielle Bonito, Arjyo Chakravarti, Brian Coar, Jonathan Corbett, Christen Furka, Natalie Furka, Ying Hu, Erin Kane, Jully Kim, Doris Lui, Ana Montoya, Maleesa Phemsint, Jessica Piental, Carissa Rubio, Natalie Segro, Michel Wade, John Yun.
Tiffany Aciz and Michael Kuechler received U.S. Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete awards.
Brian Coar, Robert Dornan and Louis Siafakas, U.S. Marines Scholastic Excellence & Distinguished Athlete Awards.
Jonathan Corbett and Erin Kane, New Jersey Scholar Athlete Award.
Arjyo Chakravarti, Outstanding New Jersey Scholar Athlete.
Giuseppe Landolfo, Italian Community Center Italian Award.