2 Videos Of Hope In The Caldwells: Coronavirus

CALDWELLS, NJ — Videos can be a powerful medium to show unity and community spirit during a dark time. Here are a pair of projects out of the Caldwells that may lift your spirit.

‘THE COUNTRY IS WITH YOU’

John Bertollo, a vice principal at James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell, offered Patch the following statement about a project dubbed “James Caldwell High School Class of 2020: The Country Is with You.”

Bertollo said:

“Like many seniors across the United States, our seniors at JCHS have lost a lot… spring sports, awards/scholarship ceremonies, spring musical, concerts, prom, and most importantly, the traditional full-scale graduation ceremony that we have all become accustomed to. In addition, they suffered the loss of their middle school principal who passed away in March at 48 years old due to COVID. Part of my job at the high school is to promote positive school spirit and personally, since I’ve known these seniors for four years, and they are wonderful, I’ve been trying to come up with unique experiences for them to feel appreciated and loved. Because this pandemic is world-wide, and has impacted seniors across the US, I wanted our seniors to know that while they are facing difficult times, they are not alone and we will all grow stronger together.”

Bertollo, who has helped to create several inspiring videos for the district, then set out to get a positive message from a media representative in all 50 states.

He hit his mark, spectacularly. Representatives included news anchors, meteorologists, sports anchors, reporters and radio news anchors.

Watch the video below.

ESSENTIAL WORKERS

Caldwell University recently issued a video “thank you” to all the essential workers who are stepping up during the coronavirus pandemic.

“We celebrate the many brave, dedicated members of our Caldwell University community,” administrators said of the video, which was edited by class of 2020's Communication and Media Studies graduate Anthony Ecanosti. “Here are some of those champions.”

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Don’t forget to visit the Patch Caldwells Facebook page. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site. Sign up for Patch email newsletters.