BOE Honors Athletes, Teachers

The Cranford Board of Education doled out plenty of awards at their meeting Monday night. The Board recognized the achievements of the winter sports athletes and the Cranford High School Mock Trial Team. In addition, Varsity Wrestling Coach Darren Torsone was named the 2010-2011 District 11 Coach of the year and 2010-2011 County Coach of the Year. Lore Walsh was named the Cranford Teacher of the Year, and is eligible for both State and National Teacher of the Year honors.

It was a banner season for Cougar Athletics; both the Swimming and Bowling teams clinched Conference Championships, while the Wrestling team won the District 11 title. Several players also garnered individual honors.

Wrestlers John Christiano, Matthew DiGiovanni, Joseph Giaccio, and Kyle Markovitch were named to the First Team All Union County and First Team All Conference. Basketball players Morgan Miller and Brian Trotter made First Team All Conference and were chosen as Union County Coaches Honorees.

Superintendent Dr. Gayle Carrick congratulated Athletic Director Mark Taglieri for, “a wonderful winter season,” and commended the teams for their victories and sportsmanship. Carrick also thanked the coaches for their dedication and leadership.

“Athletics is such an important part of our overall education,” she said. “The athletes here this evening make us all proud to represent the programs and coaches receiving honors. Coaches, thank you for a wonderful year and for a great job with our students.”

The Board also recognized the achievements of the CHS Mock Trial Team, who won the Union County Finals. The team consisted of Kyle Aslin, Carrie Bilenker, Kimberly LaFronz, Nicole Maturo, Nicole Somma, Valerie Podbelski, Ryan Monahan, Margarita Bronshteyn, Bridget Gautieri, and Emily Norwine. Carrick expressed her joy in honoring the team.

“Once again, the students from Cranford continue to make us very proud,” she said. “We’re delighted to be able to honor them this evening.”

The Board paid tribute to Lore Walsh, who was named the Cranford Teacher of the Year for her, “demonstrated ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn.”

“The evening is evidence of the excellence all around us,” Carrick said. “Let us not forget that those who lead us are teachers. Lore, thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You represent us proudly.”

 Walsh was grateful for the award, crediting Cranford’s supportive and accepting atmosphere for her success.

 “There’s no other district I’d rather be working for,” Walsh said. “I’m proud to be part of this school system here. Ever since the first day I started, every teacher, every administrator, every person I have ever had supported me. I’ve been very supported by this town. The parents here in this town are just wonderful. They want their children to learn. Of course, I’ll always be grateful to my students, I’ll always love them.”

For a full list of Winter Sports honorees, see below.

First Team All Union County

District Champion

District 11 Team Champions

Region III Champions

First Team All Conference

First Team All Union County

District Champion

District 11 Team Champions

Region III Champion

First Team All Conference

First Team All Union County

District Champion

District 11 Team Champion

First Team All Conference

District Champion

District 11 Team Champion

First Team All County

District Champion

District 11 Team Champions

First Team All Conference

First Team All Conference

Union County Coaches Honoree

First Team All Conference

Union County Coaches Honoree

Union County Conference Champions

Third Team All Union County (50 Yard Freestyle)

Union County Conference Champions

Second Team All Union County (200 Yard Freestyle)