Howell High School Performance Honors Its Military, Police Graduates

With Memorial Day right around the corner, Howell High School on Thursday evening presented “A Tribute to the Armed Services,” a concert by the choirs at the school. 

The event was held to honor two individuals from Howell who served in the Armed Forces, and a fallen police officer also who was a Howell High School graduate.

The officer being honored was Christopher Matlosz, who graduated from Howell High School in 2001. He served in the Lakewood Police Department for five years, before being shot and killed during a traffic stop in Lakewood in  January.

His mother Jane noted, “Chris grew to be a fine, dedicated police officer, who loved his work and was committed to do the best job that he could. He died doing what he loved most.”

Debbie Krauzer, the mother of Officer Matlosz’s fiancé, Kelly Walsifer, said she was extremely grateful for Howell High School holding the event, and she was honored to be at the school for it.

“It’s an honor for us to be here tonight, and our entire family thanks Howell High School for honoring him tonight,” she said.

Also being recognized at this event were two members of the Armed Forces, Cpl. Michael Curtin and Lt. Brian Brennan.

Curtin was part of the Howell High School Class of 1998. After working his way through the military, he headed to Iraq with the Third Infantry Division.

He died at age 23 when he was killed by a suicide bomber at a roadblock near Najaf. His death was the first New Jersey casualty in the Iraq war. To honor his legacy, the Cpl. Michael E. Curtin Scholarship Fund was established for a Howell High School student who has performed community service and expresses what freedom means to them.

Lt. Brian Brennan graduated from Howell High School, attended the Citadel, and became a 2^nd Lieutenant in the Army before becoming a Ranger.

On May 7 of last year, he was injured in an IED attack while serving in Afghanistan. He is now a double amputee. However, upon his return home, he received the Bronze Star, the Purple Star and the Army Commendation Award. The foundation, www.brennanstandsalone.org, was created in his name.

Prior to all attendees coming in to the auditorium, they had the opportunity to donate to any of the three charities of those individuals being honored.

Helping put together the booth, and collecting various items to send overseas for the troops, was Jillian Behan, a sophomore at the school.

Jillian was collecting items like candy, sunblock, deodorant, magazines and shampoo, among other items. This collection is part of her Girl Scout Gold Award, and if anyone would like to donate to her project, they can contact her at jilly21@optonline.net.

The event began with a performance of The Star Spangled Banner by Rebel Yell, the school’s a capella group. It was followed by a performance by the Rebelettes, one of the all-female a capella groups at the school. The Rebelettes performed such songs as “Buttercup,” and “Dancing in the Street.”

Following the Rebelettes, the a capella group Rebelation sang several pieces, including the hit song “Raise Your Glass,” by Pink, and “King of Anything” by Sarah Bareilles.

Perhaps the most crowd-pleasing number of the evening was a performance of “Bohemian Rhapsody,” by Rebel Yell, the school's co-ed a capella organization. The group’s coach, Joe Cantaffa, noted he was quite honored to have the groups perform during the event, and brought out Regina McAllen, who lead the school's chorus in a number of songs. Some of the hits they performed included “Seize the Day,” “In My Life,” and “The Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. 

Zina Duerbig, principal of Howell High School, said she was thrilled with how the event went, and was very proud of all students at the school who participated. She added she was especially proud to honor those brave individuals who graduated from the school and put their lives on the line either as police officers or in the military. 

“We’re so proud to be honoring these amazing graduates of Howell High School,” she said.