These West Orange Students, Staff Shaped 2017

WEST ORANGE, NJ — As you kick off 2018, get some inspiration from these West Orange students and staff whose accomplishments defined 2017.

The following information comes courtesy of the West Orange Public School District, which honored several students and staff during the Dec. 18 Board of Education meeting. Don’t forget to visit the Patch West Orange Facebook page here.

2017 WOHS Girls Varsity Volleyball

Coach: Jackie Cruz

Assistant Coach: Caniece Williams

Assistant Coach: Meghan Colabella

• Second Place in Hackensack High School Tournament - competed against 15 high schools
• First Place Garfield High School Tournament Champions
• Second Consecutive Year as SEC Champions

WOHS Varsity Cheerleading

Coach: Olivia Del Spina

Assistant Coach: Taylor Calixto

Assistant Coach: Brianna Blauner

• SEC Liberty Division Champions (third year in a row)
• Universal Cheerleaders Association Regional Champions in both routine and game day divisions (third year in a row) qualifying for the Universal Cheerleaders Association Nationals in Orlando, FL

West Orange High School Girls Soccer

Coach: Sean Devore

Assistant Coach:Dave Perez

Assistant Coach: Sebastian DePinho

Assistant Coach: Chris Maillet

"The girls’ soccer team had their best season in school history. The team finished as one of only three undefeated teams in the state of New Jersey. The team won the Super Essex Conference Liberty Division and was awarded the NJ.com Essex County Team of the Year. The girls were also ranked in the State for the first time in school history. The team was ranked as high as #12 and finished the year No. 18 in the State."

WOHS Girls Cross Country

Coach: Flecia Blake

Assistant Coach: Paul Chegwedden

• SEC American Division Dual Meet Champions
• SEC American Division Champions
• Second Place Essex County Championships
• Coach Flecia Blake - Named Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year by Essex County Coaches Association

Mya Bembry

• Star Ledger Girls Basketball Player of the Year for Essex County 2017
• 1st Team All League, All County, and All State Group 4

[NOT PICTURED]

Natalie Nevins

• Star Ledger Girls Soccer Player of the Year for Essex County
• 1st Team All League, All County, and All State Group 4
• 2nd Team All State All Groups

Maurice Williams

• Star Ledger Boys Soccer Player of the Year for Essex County
• 1st Team All League, All County and All State Group 4
• 2nd Team All State All Groups

WOHS Career Education and Library Science

Skills USA – Statesman Award: Vraj Patel, Andrew Jeszeck, Connor Mills

Family, Community & Career Leaders of America

Amy Butcher, Jordyn Raymon, Olivia Williams, Ebun Adegbite, Sarah Thomas, Kori Isaac, Nanma Biju, Anu Adegbite, Dana Romaniello, Ashley Azana

Kelly Elementary

Girls on the Run - Saniyah Williams - Grade 5

Saniyah, who is unable to see, worked hard with the Girls on the Run program and has completed two 5K races. "Saniyah is a true inspiration who does not look at what's impossible, but at what she can do," noted Kelly Principal Joanne Pollara.

Community Service

Charlee Heinrich - Grade 5

After reading the book "Walk to Water" about the difficulty of accessing clean drinking water in Kenya, Charlee began an online fundraiser to help.

Community Service - Staff

Susan Zaccaro – Teacher, Liberty Middle School

Sue Zaccaro, a long-time science teacher at LMS, has been nominated for several prestigious teacher of the year recognitions and involves her students in community service endeavors as well as developing unique and exciting curriculum opportunities.

Fuel Up to Play 60

Kevin Alvine – PE & Health Supervisor; Josh Kreutz – Food Services Director, Sodexo

For the past three years, Kreutz and Alvine have worked to improve healthy eating and physical fitness in West Orange Schools. They initiated a relationship with the NFL and the Fuel Up to Play 60 Fitness program, arranging visits to Jets and Giants training camps and applying for grants to purchase healthier food and fitness equipment.

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Photos: West Orange Public School District