West Orange High Seniors Garner 30 Athletic Awards

On Tuesday June 10th the West Orange High School Senior Sports Awards Night was held at the West Orange High School auditorium. Thirty (30) awards were presented to more than seventy (70) West Orange Mountaineers of the graduating class of 2014.

Special mention was the award presentation to Mr. Jim O’Neill, the Interim Superintendent who was instrumental in restructuring the West Orange High School athletic program turning it into a championship-winning program. In addition he was recognized for attending almost all of the high school varsity games regardless of the sport.

“Working for and with the West Orange School district has been the two most fulfilling years of my forty-year career in education,” said Mr. O’Neill. “ West Orange has great and talented teachers, coaches and administrators. It’s been a distinct pleasure to work with you all.”

Many of the awards were given by the families of, or named for, former West Orange High School athletes and coaches who had a great impact on the Mountaineer community including the Lawrence Cunningham Memorial Award in honor of Coach Cunningham, a former football coach at West Orange High School who passed away in 1986. The Betty Maddalena Memorial Award named for the track and field coach and dedicated teacher. The Daniel Schiffer Memorial Award, a WOHS basketball player. The Matt Lombardi Memorial Award who was a former Physical Education teacher and boy’s basketball coach. The Richard Cataldo Award, a 1963 scholar-athlete graduate. The Jerome Sanzari Award, a golf enthusiast and WOHS graduate. The Judy Risse Award, a physical education teacher, basketball and softball coach, and the Robert Callard Award who was the first physical education teacher of West Orange High School, among others.

The Courageous Athlete Award was presented to Matthew Wilson, a soccer team member who battled cancer while supporting and inspiring his teammates to the Group IV North Jersey Section I State Sectional Tournament, and capturing the NJSIAA Group IV overall NJ State Championship. The coveted West Orange Hall of Fame, Athlete of the Year Award, given to one male and one female athlete for their contributions to their respective athletic teams, character, leadership, academics, skills and participation in multiple sports were awarded to Aliya Barnes, and Jahir Blanton.

“It comes as no surprise that our student athletes work hard, seemingly around the clock, balancing a successful sports career while maintaining a proper grade point average,” says West Orange High School Athletic Director Ronald Bligh. “We proudly show our appreciation for the fine work and dedication of these student athletes by honoring them with these prestigious awards.”