Volume LVIV, Issue 3
com, @thelancenvot
Good Knight and Good Luck
Dr. Sabatini Reflects On His Decade As NVOT Principal
By Charlie Dippolito,
Editor-in Chief
P
rincipal Bruce Sabatini
began his career as an
bilingual social studies
teacher at Memorial High School
in West New York, New Jersey, in
September of 1976. Since then,
Sabatini has dedicated 47 years to
working in education— instilling
the ideas of effort, perseverance,
perspective, integrity, and
respect.
Over the past decade,
Sabatini has ingrained these
values within the minds and hearts
of Golden Knights. Sabatini, who
took over the role of principal
of NVOT in 2013 after his
predecessor Fred Hessler retired,
previously worked as principal of
NVD for eight years. On May 12,
Sabatini announced via email that
he would be returning to NVD
for the 2023-2024 school year,
effective July 1.
As our principal, Sabatini
wanted to make sure that he
made himself visible. He didn’t
want to be a figure behind a desk,
but a person actively involved
Language Learning Goes Both Ways
Spanish 5 seniors serve and support English Language Learners
By Lara Areiqat and
Caroline Tharakan
W
hen World Language
teacher Lisa Veit’s
Newcomers Basic
Skills class quadrupled in size
this school year, she saw an
opportunity to give her students
more real-world Spanish skills.
In addition to navigating the
traditional challenges of high
school, English Learners (ELs)
are doing so in their non-native
language. Recognizing a need in
the building, Veit’s Spanish 5 class
transformed its curriculum to aid
these students as they adapt to
NVOT.
There are 26 ELs in the
building this year, identified
through a standardized test
known as the ACCESS English
Proficiency test. Out of the 26 in
the building, nine belong to Veit’s
Newcomers Basic Skills Class. “I
had never taught this population
OPINION
Not
Forgotten
(p. 2)
Art byAudrey Hansen
Northern Valley principal Sabatini on the Old Tappan campus.
in the community. “Whether it’s
in the corridors or, even more
importantly, in the classrooms,
not just formally observing but
informally seeing students and
staff,” said Sabatini. “I think it’s
critically important is to show
tangible interest in all activities,
of students where they really have
limited English. So [a question]
just came to my mind: how can we
serve these kids?”
After consulting with Dr. Marc
Cicchino, the NVRHS Director of
Special Projects & Innovation, to
find out how she could incorporate
helping the ELs in her Spanish 5
class, she decided “to do problem-
based learning [PBL] for two out of
the four units.” With PBL, students
can explore different ways to help
ELs from making instructional
videos to putting magnets across
the school.
Veit’s students learned that the
ELs would be more comfortable if
they knew more people across the
building who could speak Spanish,
so they decided to survey the staff.
From the survey, they discovered
that 16 different languages
are spoken among the NVOT
staff. Spanish 5 students Grant
Maryott and Hannah Lee turned
the survey results into pamphlets
they distributed to staff. “Security
FEATURES
The
Comeback Kids
(p. 4-5)
June 2023
and that includes everything
from student government, music,
theater, or athletics.” No matter
what event, Sabatini makes sure
to cheer on every Golden Knight.
Sabatini has become the
face of NVOT—often seen in
the hallways between classes,
Spanish 5 and ELs visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
guards have a copy, the cafeteria
[staff] have a copy. And it’s just
so when a new student comes in
and says they say they only speak
Arabic we can say ‘Okay, we have
three teachers that speak Arabic.
Let’s see if they can help’,” Veit
said.
Inside
NEWS
Setting New
Roots
(p. 6)
thelancenews.
Photo by John Housley
sporting his iconic “Control
What You Can Control” bracelet
and greeting students as they
pass by his office. However,
Sabatini does not see himself as
the singular entity that makes the
community—“I go out of my way
to use the pronoun ‘we’,” he said.
To further help these students,
the class created magnets that
represent the language staff speaks
in that room, for classroom and
office doors. “The ELs students
could know where they could go
for help and know where they
could go to feel a little bit more
SPORTS
Built
Different
(p. 7)
“I believe students really listen
when they hear ‘we’, not ‘you’,
have to do something.”
During his tenure, Sabatini
has most valued character. “I
think what’s really important
to understand, there’s no
standardized test that can measure
determination, creativity,
fortitude, or being able to
persevere,” he explained. “That
comes from within.”
Sabatini’s main goal has
been to help students find their
passion no matter the hurdles in
their way. “I still think the most
important thing of our main
jobs is to help students find their
passion, whether it’s to become an
architect, a writer, an electrician,
a welder, an attorney, a physician,
a teacher, by exposing students
to so many things ” he said.
“Motivation is the key to life,” he
said. Keeping students motivated
and highly involved in the
community helps us achieve our
goals no matter what.
While we learn, Sabatini
learns with us. “I’ve also learned
the value of listening to students,
(continued on page 3)
Courtesy of Lisa Veit
comfortable,” Maryott said.
Students were also instructed
to interview the Newcomers Basic
Skills class for a class assignment.
“My Spanish 5 students are
forced to communicate in Spanish
because the other group can’t
(continued on page 3)
SPORTS
The Record
Breakers
(p. 8)
 Opinion Features

Not Forgotten Good Knight and Good Luck (cont.)

(continued from page 1) process and rational thinking infestations to, most recently, optimum things and challenges
I forgot how excited I was went into decision making.” ominous orange skies. Perhaps that occur in our lives.”
By Audrey Hansen, hearing them out, speaking to Although he’s known for the worst of them was the Sabatini hopes he can leave
to become friends with one of
Managing Editor students about their thought his “Control What You Can COVID-19 pandemic. Sabatini a long-lasting legacy. He’s
my now best friends Charlie—
our first conversation being little process, whether it’s a Control” mindset, Sabatini’s worked in coordination with most proud when he hears from
Dear Class of 2023, dialogue and instead senseless decision that was made career has been defined by things now incoming NVOT principal parents and alumni that “they
laughter during an activity in or a decision that he cannot control—from mold Timothy Gouraige and local law still rely and recall the lifetime
During the pandemic, I started world history last year. will be made,” he

“That’s the best way I can look at it. To model and

writing down the highlight of I forgot how happy I was to said. “I believe
my day, every single day. I [students] know
just be in my kitchen with my
made it a rule that it could be that I’m sincere
parents and two sisters, doing
anything, from acing a test, to nothing but poking fun at each
and even when
an agreement is
not on the same
control what we, or in this case, I can control”
Dr. Sabatini
making days
page, they
know that
some thought enforcement to organize a late- skills we’ve always talked about:

count instead graduation ceremony for the

Class of 2020. No matter the
challenge, Sabatini steps up to
effort, work ethic, perseverance,
our own personal integrity, [and]
having good perspective” when

of counting support the community. Through

them down
having a good lunch or, if the
day was so bad, the best part
could be when it ended. It was
a necessary practice for me to
appreciate dull days, a way of
making days count instead of
counting them down.
As I reached the end of
my senior year and published
my final issue of The Lance, I
other.
I forgot how much I loved
the tediousness of gluing fake
dollar bills onto dresses during
the late hours of tech week in
musical season.
I forget how much those
Editor in Chief Charlie Dippolito (left) with Managing Editor Audrey Hansen
highlights are the streams
of light that break through
the fallen shades of this past
chapter. They remind us that
there is always good in the bad
next person we are destined to
become. We want to leap, soar,
jump…instead of step. I don’t
fault us for it, it’s the way we
grew up.
each hurdle, he controls what he
can control.
“I remember walking up that
hill after graduation feeling very
pleased and proud,” he said. Not
Photo by John Housley
knowing what was going to come
next, Sabatini helped lead the
stories. But in order to do that, rest of the Northern Valley into
you have to know them, and feel the 2020-2021 school year with
them. Don’t neglect them and perseverance.
run from them and simply move “I think I learned to do that
on. Moving on is dangerous, better over time as a leader and
that has probably facilitated the
respect factor,” he said. “We don’t
control what happens to us, but
challenges inevitably come our
way.
Diving head first into his
transition to NVD, Sabatini
highlights the interpersonal
relationships he’s made over
his tenure at NVOT. “It’s the
relationships you miss most,
but, in life, you have to move on
sometimes,” he said. “So that’s
what I’m modeling. I have to
reestablish those relationships at
our sister school at NVD and that
can be reinvigorating.”
“That’s the best way I can
look at it. To model and control
what we, or in this case, I can

I forget how much

we do control our response and
sat with the book that sheltered
our approach to some less than control,” he said.
those moments. I flipped the
pages and read through the
moments that mattered to me

those moments meant Language Learning Goes Both Ways (cont.)

on that day, that I had since
forgotten about.
I forgot about my three best
friends, Holly, Nikki and Kyra,
hugging me in the middle of
A-hallway before they left for a
vacation I couldn’t make. But on
that day, I remembered it meant
everything to me. Now, I think
about that sincerity and genuine
love all the time.
moments meant.
In your final months with
the people who have watched
you grow up, try to remember
and the tough and the seemingly
impossible, and they guide us
to the next tough thing that will
inevitably come.
Our next chapters are
But in these next steps, I
think we should step back for
a minute and turn around, and
look over our shoulders. Look at
all the past versions of yourself
moving with what you know, the
people you knew, the stories and
chapters and pages you wrote, is
the way to go.
So when you’re packing up
for college in two months, and
you look around at your empty
(continued from page 1)
speak any English. So they had
to communicate ‘what are the
things you need when you walk in
this room; if you walked into the
United States for the first time or
you came into this building?’” Veit
said.
It’s not the easiest transition. And
I didn’t really realize that at first
until I heard a couple of stories
from a couple of these kids.”
When Veit’s students found
out that another challenge for the
EL students was having difficulty
buying things in the cafeteria and
the vending machine, they decided

Grant the past some dignity
I forgot about my after-
lunch escapades with Nikki as
we lapped B-hallway as many
times as we could before the
bell rang, delirious with joy for
absolutely no reason.
your highlights. The small parts
of mundane days that brought
you joy—that made you grateful
for ending up here, and having
met the people you met.
These small, microscopic
approaching so fast, and our first
instinct, having been conditioned
to an academically challenging
and competitive high school,
is to run towards it—our next
step, the next challenge, the
and the things that made that
person happy. Hear them. Grant
the past some dignity.
You get to pick from
your own personal handmade
scrapbook of moments and
room, make sure it’s really
empty. Take everything with
you, even the things you can’t
quite touch. Carry the people
you knew and the moments
you made, that made you the
you sitting here now. Bring the
stories with you.
I think you should slow
down, just for a moment. You’ll
thank yourself later.
Veit’s students also got a
glimpse of the challenges ELs
face on a daily basis navigating a
predominantly-English speaking
school. Spanish 5 student Shane
Sedano realized the challenges go
beyond the physical journey to the
United States. “It’s not just a plane
[ride],” Sedano said. “It’s really
not easy to be a student over here.
to create instructional videos in
Spanish as their next project. In
addition to creating the videos,
the students created and placed
QR codes that led to those videos
around the school, including the
cafeteria and vending machines.
For next year, the QR codes will
be included in bookmarks that will
be distributed to each EL student.
Senior Alex Kranzler points out QR codes across the school. Photos Courtesy of Lisa Veit

Creating the videos was how working with the students ed rules for the EL students. For
a challenge for Veit’s students helped him hone his Spanish Veit, these seniors’ work is only
Editorial Statement
since it required them to explain skills beyond a classroom setting. the beginning and she plans to
The Lance is a student-run publication representing the voices of the students of Northern processes entirely in Spanish. “If “Learning about cultures and continue PBL with future classes.
Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan. As a publication, The Lance aims to express the
100 Central Avenue, Old Tappan, NJ 07675 views and opinions of the entirety of the student body and to cover any and all news relevant to
you’re trying to learn Spanish getting more hands-on experience Veit hopes that working with
the school community. We value the many perspectives on the issues we cover, and we intend by speaking to a partner in class, allowed me to learn at a higher level the EL students also prepares the
Editor in Chief ------------------------- Charlie Dippolito, Caroline Tharakan
Managing Editors ---------------------- Audrey Hansen, Lara Areiqat, Olivia Connell to represent the values of the diverse opinions of our school community. and you both just agree to speak and be able to speak confidently seniors for real world exchanges
News Editor ---------------------------- Ina Rhee Spanish, you could just throw in an in a different language,” Maryott after high school. “When they go
The Lance strives for impartiality, accountability, honesty, and objectivity; the core principles
Sports Editor --------------------------- Antonio Campagna, Justin Garber, Samantha Tate
of journalism. Our goal is to provide a platform where open discussion is encouraged and
English word here and there and said. to college, they’ll be looking for
Arts Editor ----------------------------- Amir Attal, Olivia Connell
Lifestyle Editor ------------------------ Erin Yoon freedom of expression is protected. they understand but you can’t do Veit shared how another how to help. They’ll understand
Social Media Editor --------------- Christine Kim that with these kids,” Sedano said. student especially connected with more if someone doesn’t speak
Associate Editors ---------------------- Kevin Ju, Hyunyung Kim, Annabelle Lee, Sofia Mangano, Any editorials written by our staff may, but do not necessarily represent the views of the faculty “You really have to just do your the projects they were doing: English, because in college,
Jahnavi Vaghasia or administration.
best, go into the depths of your “[The student] goes, ‘this is so they’re coming from all over the
Letter Policy Spanish vocabulary and just figure gratifying.’ He knows that it’s for world. They might have kids that
Staff Writers ------------------------------ Charlotte Atalla, Erin Cho, Alexander Cleary, Sam Cruz,
Addison Gioffre, Kiran Gurunathan, Madison Kosmark, Olivia Lombardo, Maria Silva The Lance welcomes all letters. If the editorial board choses to publish a letter, The Lance out how to explain certain things.” the common good, as opposed to have limited English skills, and it
reserves the right to edit letters for clarity and brevity, but not for content. Letters can be Despite the challenges, the it’s just for him to get an A.” can be in any language. It doesn’t
Advisors --------------------------------- Kelley Kulick, John Housley submitted by emailing thelance@nvnet.org. experience was rewarding for The class’s work continues as have to be just Spanish, but at
Maryott and Lee show the pamphelet they created. Photo Courtesy of Lisa Veit
Veit’s students. Maryott shared they plan to make a video on phys least they understand.”

2 3
 1987 1988 1989 1992 1993 1995 1997 1998 1999

[
[

[
[
Jennifer Dee John Housley Louis Angioletti Amy Luby Kerri Hubbard Dawn D’Ercole Daniella Ashbahian Craig Ferraro Debra Smith Megan Langan Erica Sposa

What was your mindset leaving NVOT? How has working as a teacher been

The
different from your times as a student here?
“I will never ever ever be back here again.” — Jennifer Dee
“I find that I have more pride in NVOT now as a teacher
because I get to see more of it.” — Maia Levenshus

COMEBACK
“I was sad, but I was looking forward to, you know,
my future.” — Daniella Ashbahian “Students are much more tolerant and kinder of one
another as opposed to when I was here. I think there was a lot
“It was bittersweet—on one hand I was ready to more bullying prevalent and some other things that are not as
embark on the next chapter of my life (college) but

KIDS
accepted.” — Louis Angioletti
I also was not ready to leave all of my amazing
“My perspective is so different. I don’t see the drama as
friends.” — Kerri Hubbard much as being a student. I only see what goes on in a math
classroom.” — Lisa Leo
What inspired you to The Lance dusts off the archives to “Working I got to know the teachers and the staff in a
come back? find staff who returned to OT’s halls different light. As a student it’s different as I’m friendlier
with the staff when I work here and I saw a different side
“I loved my HS days, I think that’s why I love working “I see myself in many of the students. I hope that of the staff when I worked here.” — Dawn D’Ercole
here.” — Amy Luby
“I had fantastic teachers—teachers I still
helps me to be better at my job—I understand “I find students now are quickly looking for answers and the
easy way out where when we grew up, there wasn’t the
think about to this day who made a big impact what it’s like to be a Northern Valley student” internet. We didn’t have a choice to find quick answers like
on me” — Jeffrey Krapels we knew we had to work for things sometimes.” — Debra Smith
— Courtney Reinfried

2000 2002 2003 2004 2006 2007 2012 2016

[

[
[

Helena Gliatta Christine Massaro Jeffrey Krapels Courtney Reinfried Thomas Walsh Kathleen Wehmann Jordan Sheehan Lisa Leo James Goetschius Maia Levenshus
4 5
 News Sports

Setting New Roots cognitive benefits, such as

Work-Based Learning adds green to the blue and gold
Plants WBL seniors cultivated over the last 5 weeks.
By Ina Rhee,
News Editor
During the week of May 15,
members of science teacher
Steve Ahad’s Work-Based
Learning group replanted the
courtyard garden, adding trees
for the first time in four years
with plants from Lupardi’s
Nursery in Demarest. Adding
a little more green to NVOT
doesn’t just improve the
look of the courtyard but
also improves the school’s
environment for all members
of the community.
Students can look into
the garden and admire the
colorful flowers and new
plants compared to just
looking out the window and
the fields outside the school
to take a break from school
work. “Everybody is sitting
inside all day and looking at
computer screens, and I think
that having some biodiversity
and nature to look at that isn’t
just trees and grass is really
nice for everybody,” said
Katie Park, a member of the
Work-Based Learning group
that helped plant the garden.
“Nature throughout the
school grounds provides a
pleasing environment to eat
lunch in, complete school
work in, or even just as a cool
place to hang out,” said Sean
Kim, another senior service
member.
Not only that but by
looking at and immersing
oneself in the garden, members
Photos by John Housley
of the NVOT community can
improve their well-being.
“Spending time in nature is
even often linked to multiple
WBL Seniors at work in the courtyard.
mental health and general
emotional well-being,” Kim
explained.
Ahad stresses the
importance of plants in
manmade environments —
“working with nature outside
of structured walls and screens
is healthy for the mind, body,
and soul.”
With the help of the
garden, people in the
community can help spread
wellness throughout the
school. For example, Ahad
said the flowers were planted
“as a gesture of appreciation”
to teachers as flowers are “a
sign of love and respect.”
This means that the garden
doesn’t just have the potential
to improve well-being through
their green appearances but
can also spread positivity
through actions like these.
For the past few weeks,
Park has also been “creating
beautiful bouquets” from the
roses in the garden and “has
been giving [them] out to the
teachers and staff throughout
the building.”
Ahad added that “the
smiles from colleagues feeling
the gesture of appreciation was
moving,” only demonstrating
Built Different
the positive effect the garden Standout pitcher Alex Kranzler’s journey to success
has.
Additionally, the long
By Addison Gioffre and
life of the newly planted Jahnavi Vaghasia
trees ensures their ability to
bring comfort and continue
98 season strikeouts. A 0.58
positively impacting NVOT’s
Earned Run Average. A 96 mile per
community for a long time.
hour fastball, and a slider
For example, Ahad says the that breaks 20 inches.
new trees were added to the Senior pitcher Alex
courtyard in the hope that Kranzler makes it
they’ll “be a part of [the] look easy.
school’s landscape for a long His dedication to the
time,” especially since “trees sport started off as a typical
survive generations of us.” childhood activity. Coming
On top of the longevity from a family of baseball fans, he
of the trees in the courtyard, was constantly exposed to the sport.
the colorful bushes of roses “My dad and I watched baseball a lot
growing up,” Kranzler said. This led
will continue to be a part of
him to participate in town recreational
the school garden for a long
T-ball at the age of five, starting off
time. Kim said the bushes
his career with the sole intention of
are young and “have quite a
having fun. As he got older, however,
bit of growing to do through it became less of a hobby and more of
the next few years” and will a lifestyle. “Eighth grade is when it got
hopefully make the courtyard
real for me,” he said, “I just found love
“a more beautiful place for for it.”
future students” and continue After realizing his potential and
to positively influence the love for the sport, he started to give
up other activities and shift his focus
school’s environment.
to baseball. “[Baseball] was pretty
much all I did,” Kranzler said. He
started playing travel baseball at nine
years old for Southern Squeeze, and
his commitment to the sport only
grew with his age. “I traveled pretty
much all over the country,” Kranzler
said, competing in tournaments and
showcases in California, Florida, and
Louisiana.
Soon, Kranzler’s love for the
sport reached beyond the baseball
field, now affecting his whole
lifestyle. “I try to find any way that I
can better myself in baseball, whether
it’s eating healthy, sleeping, not going
out, lifting, throwing, or mobility,”
Kranzler said. This attitude is what
carried him through any challenges he
faced, starting from a young age and
Photo by Charlie Dippolito
continuing through various setbacks
Photo by Nico DiMaria
and injuries throughout his high the right offer, Kranzler would no
school years. longer attend Vanderbilt and instead
This work ethic is seen by all focus on growing his professional
those around him, including baseball career. At this point, though, there
Coach Tim Byron. “[Kranzler] doesn’t isn’t any pressure to go straight to
take a day off. He’s determined, he’s the minor leagues; “As long as I get
committed, and as a coach there’s an opportunity at some point [to play
nothing better than having a kid who professionally], I really don’t care,”
wants it as much as he does,” Byron Kranzler said.
said.
Not only does this dedication aid
in his personal development, but
it motivates those around
him. “He brings a
certain
energy and
competitiveness that
fuels his teammates and is
easy to feed off of,” said co-captain
Alex Gioffre. As a major figure on
the team, Kranzler has helped lead the
Knights to a Division title as well as
strong finishes in both the county and
state tournaments.
Despite being a confident young
player, his path was never crystal
clear. Kranzler received multiple
Division One offers from schools
like Georgia Institute of Technology
and Duke University, originally
committing to the University of
Missouri his sophomore year. He later
decided to switch due to changes in
their pitching program. “They had
four different pitching coaches during
the time I was committed,” Kranzler
said. Now, as a senior in his last few
weeks of the school year, Kranzler
has secured himself a spot on one of
the top collegiate baseball teams in
the country, the Vanderbilt University
Commodores. “I’m excited to have
the opportunity to be a part of a power-
house program in the SEC,” he said.
Even now, Kranzler’s future
isn’t set. “At some point I would
definitely like to get drafted,” he said.
If he were to get drafted and receive Photo by Ryan Sullivan

Spring Arts Recap Spring Sports Recap

Celebrating another season of exceptional Golden Knights arts
By Emma Mor,
Arts Editor
Information printed is accurate
as of June 15; For updated arts
information, visit thelancenews.
com
Wrapping up spring sports at the end of the season
Percussion Ensemble at TriM Induction Fine Arts Festival Baseball Boys Golf Boys Lacrosse Boys Tennis
April 27, 2023 Week of May 16, 2023 Record: 17-10 Record: 11-5 Record: 4-13 Record: 16-8
William Patterson 21 NVOT students were inducted The Fine Arts Festival began as
April 1, 2023 into the Tri-Music Honor Society for a showcase on the night of May
NVOT’s Percussion Ensemble their commitment and contributions 16, and continued throughout the
performed their show “Mechanize” to the NVOT music department. school week. Art students shared Won league championship,
at the NJ Percussive Arts Society The induction ceremony included their favorite art from the school reached the semi-final round Won sectional championship, Qualified for the state tournament Won the sectional championship,
Percussion Festival. performances from current TriM year with their peers. of the county tournament, and reached the state championship, and placed sixth in the Curcio competed in the group semifinals,
members. competed in the second round of and placed second in leagues. league. and placed second in leagues.
the state playoffs.

Senior Showcase End of Year Concert Girls Golf Girls Lacrosse Softball
May 18, 2023
Matthew Scott Fundraiser May 24, 2023 Boys & Girls Track
April 28, 2023 The NVOT instrumental and vocal Record: 8-4 Record: 8-11 Record: 17-9
The theater department said
The Golden Arts Department held music students concluded their school By Antonio Campagna,
their goodbyes and thank yous Sports Editor
a concert and VIP reception with year and celebrated all of their hard work
to the Class of 2023 at the
alumnus Matthew Scott to raise money during their end of year concert. The Won sectional championship,
Senior Showcase, where students
for the all-school musical and theater concert included performances from the competed in the Group 3 Won league championship,
performed their work from the Qualified for the state tournament
program. The fundraiser included Combined Bands, Encore Chorus, String championship, placed second in Placed third in leagues and reached quarterfinals of the Information printed is accurate
STANJ competition and the and placed fourth in the American
performances from Scott, current, and Orchestra, Jazz Band, Ragazzi, Valley county relays, second in leagues, competed in the state tournament. county tournament, and qualified as of June 15; For updated sports
seniors were honored for their North league.
past students. Voices, Percussion Ensemble, Concert and second in counties. for the state playoffs.
contributions to the program. information, visit thelancenews.
Choir, Wind Ensemble, and Choirs.
com

6 7
 Sports

The Record Breakers

A trio of elite track athletes have been making and breaking history
By Justin Garber and
Samantha Tate

The Golden Knights

Spring Track and Field
season has been highlighted
by broken records and a deep
run into the postseason. As
of publication, they’ve won
the State Sectional title and
are competing for the Group
III title. In the midst of all
the teams’ successes, three
athletes stand out even more.
Jack Small, Abigail Dennis,
and Layla Giordano do more
than demonstrate qualities
of a positive teammate and a
tough athlete: they are record
breakers over and over.

Abigail Dennis
Dennis has found many ways to contribute to the team with her great athleticism and speed. She
regularly competes in the 100 hurdle, 100M, 200M, and 400M races. Motivation from both her dad and
Coach David Burns has recently pushed her to compete in 400 hurdles. Dennis has also added the long
jump: “I tried it in the indoor season and that was successful, so I added it to my outdoor,” she said.
You may have seen the viral video of Dennis’s remarkable comeback in a 100M hurdle event from
last year’s spring season. Her performance gained the attention of many sports media outlets such as
ESPN and was even reacted to by two-time Olympic gold medalist Sydney McLaughlin. “The video got
my name out there in a positive way and I’m thankful and happy it inspired so many people,” Dennis
said.
Dennis has regularly seen her name atop leaderboards and record books and owns Old Tappan’s
record for the long jump at 19 ‘0”. Between her jaw-dropping achievements and quick rise to fame,
Dennis has obtained a great reputation among college scouts and holds interest from over twenty
prestigious Division I schools including Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, Notre Dame.

Layla Giordano Jack Small

Giordano continues to impress as A top football prospect in the
she keeps breaking her own record in state of New Jersey, the 6’6” Small
discus and shotput. With her current turns his attention to throwing
PR (157 feet) in discus and shotput every spring. He saw his hard
(45-6), Giordano has qualified for New work pay off in the Bergen County
Balance Outdoor Nationals which group meet on May 13th, when
will take place at the University of he threw a school record 56’10”
Pennsylvania mid June. in shot put. Small also added a
With less than two seasons worth discus section title to his name this
of training for discus, Giordano is spring. He was an All-County shot
approaching #1 rankings on the state put thrower, and ranked first in the
and national levels. Additionally, she is group for discus and second in the
currently 22nd in the country for discus. group for shot put. Small credits
The award Giordano was most pleased his development to Coach Peter
to receive, however, was North Jersey. Dunn. “Without him, it is hard to
com’s Athlete of the Week. “With this believe I would be in the same
award, my picture will be hung up on place I am today,” Small said.
the walls of the school which cements Small’s outlook on competing
my accomplishments into school in track and field has developed
history forever,” Giordano said. over the years. “I started doing
As records break and motivation track to get my lifting in the off-
rises, these three incredible athletes are season,” he said. ”It turned out to
reaching for more. “We’re all locked be something I was pretty good at.
in,” Giordano said. “I think going in I enjoy competing and I think that
we’re going to have the mindset of is a big reason for me still doing
we want to prove we are number one shot put, despite my successes on
and come out first in any event we’re the football field.”
doing.”

Photos by Ryan Sullivan

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