Outstanding Seniors Shine at CHS Senior Awards

Cranford High School paid tribute to its exceptional seniors at the annual Senior Awards Ceremony Tuesday night. Parents and relatives of the seniors were first welcomed by John Arlotta, the Assistant Principal for Academic Affairs, followed by an address from Principal Rui Dionisio. The award recipients were seated on the stage while faculty members, as well as individuals from the Cranford community, announced awards from departments within the school and memorial scholarships through families connected to the school.

Many groups, such as the Cranford Chamber of Commerce, the Crane’s Ford chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as Assemblyman Bramnick, came to support the achievements of the graduates and present them with scholarships and honors.

Senior Savannah Viletto, who won the Dr. Josephine Corbo Craft Achievement Award, says she was proud to earn her recognition.

“It’s pretty cool," she said. "I worked hard and I’m glad I got it.” Viletto plans on attending Costal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, N.C. in the fall.

There were many announcements made during the ceremony, including naming senior Bryan Santos as Valedictorian, the termination of the Eileen Dachnowicz & Joseph Maier scholarship fund, as well as congratulations to Assistant Principal Arlotta for his upcoming placement as Principle of Glen Rock High School in Glen Rock, N.J.

Kimberly La Fronz swept the awards, winning a total of 9, including Salutatorian and Highest GPA for a female student, which was presented by the College Women’s Club of Cranford. Michael Ford also won a number of awards, including one of the National Merit Commended Students’ honors, and the William B. Simpson Scholarship in Engineering.

 The ceremony, which lasted a total of two hours, left some feeling that it could have been shorter. Despite the length, students were grateful to have their efforts honored in such a capacity.

“It’s very nice to be appreciated,” said senior Catherine Burns, who won the Microsoft Appreciation Award, “but I feel that it was too lengthy and they could’ve shortened it a little. But it was good, it was nice.” Burns feels that she will put the skills that helped her to earn this award to use in her upcoming career plans.

“I plan on doing International Business, so a lot of the time I’ll probably be using Microsoft Office and Microsoft Excel and everything around it,” she said.

The Cranford High School Commencement will take place Tuesday, June 21st at Memorial Field.