Croton-Harmon Establishes Gene Perl Award for Graduating Senior

The Croton-Harmon Board of Education has established an annual award for a graduating senior in memory of Gene Perl, a former member of the Board of Education and major contributor to the schools community. Perl died Nov 17, 2016. The Gene Perl Memorial Award will be granted annually to a graduating senior in the Transitional Alternative Program.

The recipient of the first award will be announced at the CHHS senior awards ceremony.

Current school trustee Neal Haber, who served on the board with Perl, shared remarks in his remembrance at the Dec. 1 Board of Education meeting and at a memorial service, held at Croton-Harmon High School, on April 22.

“Gene’s service to the district and his legacy has touched all of us now on the board, as well as the many board members who served alongside him,” said Haber.

Perl served on the board for two terms in the early 1970s and later returned for a 16-year stint that concluded in 2009. Following his retirement from the board, he continued to work with the district as a part-time messenger. At his death, Perl’s family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the school district.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edward R. Fuhrman, Jr., recalled, “Gene was a great man who affected many students, and in particular, worked hard to fight for the education of children with special needs.”

Perl was a constant presence at the Transitional Alternative Program’s annual Thanksgiving dinner. TAP teacher Sam Occhipinti said Perl was an advocate of the program since its 1997 inception.

“He had a special place in his heart for special needs students and felt that they deserved to be recognized for their endeavor in the pursuit of academic success,” said Occhipinti. “At our annual awards banquet, Gene was always the first to reply to our invitation to attend and no one beamed with more pride in celebrating the hard working students of TAP than he did.”

The district established Gene Perl Memorial Award for the students for whom Perl so passionately advocated, with the board approving its creation at its May 4 meeting. Haber, along with his wife Suzanne, donated $100 to the district to kickstart the award, which will be granted annually to a graduating senior in the Transitional Alternative Program.

The recipient of the first award will be announced at the CHHS senior awards ceremony.

“On behalf of the board and the school community, I think it appropriate to say simply that Gene exemplified a commitment to our students and to Croton that is everlasting and for which we all are grateful,” said Haber.

IMAGE: Croton-Harmon High School via google maps