Community Leaders Go Back To School

The chairs were smaller than they remembered. The halls seemed tighter, and the lockers could never hold the books, notepads and supplies they remembered carting around. 

But for the 2013 inductees to the Black River Middle School Hall of Fame, it was clear things such as the supportive atmosphere and caring faculty, the important things, hadn't changed.

And one of those things that hasn't changed is Joseph Pizzo, who presided over the ceremony for Gov. Christie’s Senior Counsel Colin Newman, NYC immigration lawyer, author and community volunteer Nolan Cheng, IBM Global Business Services financial management consultant Jamie O’Reardon, and member of San Diego State University women’s basketball coaching staff and Stanford University basketball star Kelley Sumins.

"I've been here 38 years," Pizzo said. "Remember what Mr. (Will) Jimeno says when he comes to visit us. He says that I'm not your hero. Your parents are. Your teachers are. The ones who are here with you everyday."

Principal Robert Mullen, who had some of the inductees in reading class, was pleased to see former students who have accomplished so much.

"I'm proud to see these former BRMS students rise to such successful careers," Mullen said. " They represent the best efforts of our students”

According to Pizzo, who is a language arts teacher and BRMS Hall of Fame founder and adviser, the Hall was created three years ago with a committee of students who recognized the value of acknowledging the excellence that defines Black River Middle School.

"We did it to honor exemplary former students and community members who provide real-life success stories for our students here at BRMS.”  Pizzo said. “It is important for every student to see the rewards that hard work, clearly-set goals, and a commitment to excellence can bring.”

In the first year, educator and mentor Dr. Joseph Byrnes, 9/11 hero Will Jimeno, Bragg School teacher Meryl Ironson, and Detroit Tigers pitcher and BRMS graduate Rick Porcello were honored.  Community advocate and director of the Chester Food Bank Jacki Spinelli and former BRMS band director and musician Walter Yarnold were honored last year. 

The 2013 class of inductees spoke not just of their success after graduation and in the work force, but related it back to the foundation they received at the Black River Middle School. And while they each faced their own unique challenges, Cheng spoke of how his relationship with Pizzo and Black River Middle School completely altered his life. 

"When I first came here from China I knew no English. My first day of class I didn't know how to ask to go to the bathroom. I ended up running out of class with the teacher chasing me thinking I might be leaving the school," Cheng said. "I think they were relieved when I ended up going into the bathroom."

Now a NYC immigration lawyer, author and community volunteer, Cheng said that he was tutored by Pizzo through college and that relationship allowed him to flourish.

"And he would never take any money," Cheng said. "But we would try to feed him. My goal was to fatten him up, but it never worked."