Wayne Music Students Honored by Board of Education

WAYNE, NJ – During this week’s Wayne Board of Education (BOE) online virtual meeting, music students from our three middle schools and our two high schools were recognized for outstanding achievements.

Usually, the students and their teachers would’ve attended the meeting in person and put on a mini concert for the BOE and the community watching at home.  Parents and loved ones of these students would have filled the council chambers and shown the community’s appreciation for the student’s skills and dedication. Unfortunately, social distancing mandates did not make this possible.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Toback said that the plan for recognition during the virtual meeting would be for one or two teachers to speak and read off the names of the students being honored.  However, all of the music teachers wanted to participate because of the appreciation and affection they have for their outstanding students.

Matt Paterno the Director of Instrumental Music at Wayne Hills High School began with an introduction.

“We’re happy to celebrate the honors earned by our secondary music students,” Paterno said. “In a time where education has changed drastically, it’s great to see that the WHAT our students have learned is the same, even if the HOW is different.”

“The students being honored tonight have distinguished themselves by competing for area, regional and state ensembles with literally thousands of other students,” he continued. “Once selected, they come together with students from hundreds of schools in New Jersey and perform concerts. This experience takes them beyond the skills we have taught them and beyond the world of Wayne. They have brought honor to themselves and our music program, and the community of Wayne.”

All instrumental and chorus teachers with obvious pride and joy took turns introducing their students and the achievements they earned.

Afterword, BOE President Cathy Kazan spoke on behalf of the entire Wayne community: “Congratulations to all of our students. We wish we could hear you; we could all use a little music right now.”

 

2020 MUSIC HONORS RECOGNITION

 

Anthony Wayne Middle School-Instrumental Music

Pratham Kumar	2020 North Jersey Junior Area Band
Radha Pingle	2020 North Jersey Junior Area Band
Daniel Cho	2020 Intermediate Region I Band Symphonic Winds

 

Schuyler-Colfax Middle School-Vocal Music

Emily Caslander	North Jersey Intermediate Regional Chorus, Soprano 2, Treble Chorus
Evelyn Clewley	North Jersey Intermediate Regional Chorus, Alto 1, Treble Chorus
Faryah Schwarz	North Jersey Intermediate Regional Chorus, Soprano 1, Treble Chorus

 

Schuyler-Colfax Middle School-Instrumental Music

Michael Chen	North Jersey Junior Area Band
Ryan Cioletti	North Jersey Junior Area Band
Brandon Huang	North Jersey Junior Area Band, New Jersey Region I Junior Concert Band
Jason Lazoff	North Jersey Junior Area Band, New Jersey Region I Junior Concert Band
Janae Murray	North Jersey Junior Area Band
Avery Vallarta	North Jersey Junior Area Band

 

George Washington Middle School-Instrumental Music

Christopher Fryer	NJSMA Region I Elementary Honor Band
Katie Pricken	NJSMA Region I Elementary Honor Band
Louis Vanzini	NJSMA Region I Elementary Honor Band
Skyler Wenger	NJSMA Region I Elementary Honor Band

 

George Washington Middle School-Vocal Music

Madeline Hohmann	New Jersey ACDA Jr. High All State Choir, Soprano I
Adriana Cercone	New Jersey ACDA Jr. High All State Choir, Soprano I
Sophia Cremona	New Jersey ACDA Jr. High All State Choir, Alto

 

Wayne Valley High School-Vocal Music

Gianluca Russo	Region I Mixed Chorus, Tenor II
Allison Girardi	Region I Mixed Chorus, Soprano II
Gianna DiTucci	All State Mixed Chorus, Soprano II
Grace Rasizer	Region I Women’s Ensemble, Alto II, Intermediate Region I Mixed Chorus, Alto
Julianne Seaman	Region I Women’s Ensemble, Alto I
Emily Fuentes	Intermediate Region I Treble Chorus, Soprano II

 

Wayne Valley High School-Instrumental Music

Joseph Duke	North Jersey Area Band
Winston Lee	North Jersey Area Band New Jersey Region 1 Band New Jersey All-State Band
Daniel Leschinsky	North Jersey Area Band
Isabelle Mailman	New Jersey Junior Region 1 Band North Jersey Area Band New Jersey Region 1 Band
Adam Omar	New Jersey Region 1 Band
Chiara Piacentini	North Jersey Area Band
Nicole Pike	North Jersey Area Band
Joanna Saxon	North Jersey Area Band New Jersey Region 1 Band New Jersey All-State Band
Justin Sonnett	North Jersey Area Band New Jersey Region 1 Band
Abigail Thomas	North Jersey Area Band
Crystal Yoon	North Jersey Area Band New Jersey Region 1 Band

 

Wayne Hills High School-Instrumental Music

Cheyenne Ajebe	Caldwell University Honors Band
Chris Ayala Bellido	Caldwell University Honors Band
Logan Espardinez	Caldwell University Honors Band
Miriam Goz	Caldwell University Honors Band
Jared Kaye	North Jersey Area Band Caldwell University Honors Band
Taylor Keenan	North Jersey Area Band
Alex Vallarta	Caldwell University Honors Band
Josie VanPuttenVink	North Jersey Area Band Caldwell University Honors Band
Ricky Wallert	New Jersey All-State Symphonic Band New Jersey Region 1 Band North Jersey Area Band​ Caldwell University Honors Band

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Wayne District Strings

Malek Frikha	William Paterson University Orchestra
Kevin Valencia	New Jersey Youth Symphony Chamber Ensemble William Paterson University Orchestra