Tag:

Ramapo High School

Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire
Remembering Dariel Vasquez: 18-Year-Old HS Baseball Team Captain Killed In NY/NJ Wildfire Shock and sadness spread following the death of 18-year-old firefighter Dariel Vasquez, who was killed on Saturday, Nov. 9, while bravely battling the Jennings Creek Wildfire that spread from New Jersey into Greenwood Lake, New York.  Vasquez, a young Parks and Recreation Aide with the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department, lost his life in the line of duty, a heartbreaking end to a life full of promise and service. New York State Police are investigating the circumstances of his death. Known as a rising star in his community, Dariel was a former R…
Joe Gorga Flips Out During Son's Wrestling Match In North Jersey (VIDEO) Joe Gorga Flips Out During Son's Wrestling Match In North Jersey (VIDEO)
Joe Gorga Flips Out During Son's Wrestling Match In North Jersey (Video) What Joe Gorga wanted was to stand up for his son. What he got was an ejection from the gym. The trouble started for the "Real Housewives of New Jersey" husband when his son, Gino Gorga, a sophomore at Ramapo High School was pinned by Anthony Caponegro, a sophomore at Parsippany, during a wrestling match at Parsippany High School in Morris Heights on Saturday, Jan. 6, as reported by TMZ. The elder Gorga ran onto the mats, and began screaming at the referee. Gorga had to be restrained by two men as security was called, according to a video shared by TMZ. "Get out of the gym! Get o…
Little Pete Comes Home: North Jersey Actor Hosting Book Signing Little Pete Comes Home: North Jersey Actor Hosting Book Signing
Little Pete Comes Home: North Jersey Actor Hosting Book Signing If you grew up watching Nickelodeon in the 90s, and come on, who didn't, this is the event for you. Danny Tamberelli, who played "Little" Pete Wrigley on "The Adventures of Pete and Pete" will be signing copies of his new book, "The First Date Prophecy," along with his wife Kate, at Bookends in Ridgewood on Thursday, June 29 at 6 p.m. Tamberelli grew up in Maywood and Wyckoff and graduated from Ramapo High School in 2000. "Pete and Pete", which aired in the early 90s on Nickelodeon, was filmed throughout North Jersey, mainly in Leonia. The novel is inspired by the Tamberelli's own love sto…
Authorities: Ramapo High School Threats Unfounded, Police File Delinquency Complaints Authorities: Ramapo High School Threats Unfounded, Police File Delinquency Complaints
Authorities: Ramapo High School Threats Unfounded, Police File Delinquency Complaints An alleged threat at a Bergen County high school proved unfounded, authorities said. Franklin Lakes police said Friday that they consulted with the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office and filed delinquency complaints in connection with the alleged threats against classmates last week at Ramapo High School. The "multiple charges" against the underage teen will be heard behind closed doors by a judge in the Family Part of Superior Court in Hackensack. There was "no immediate threat to staff or students present" when the alleged threats were made, Franklin Lakes Police Capt. Mark McCombs said …
'Own The Mound': Teen Pitcher Charlie Landers Leaves Lasting Legacy In Final Instagram Post 'Own The Mound': Teen Pitcher Charlie Landers Leaves Lasting Legacy In Final Instagram Post
'Own The Mound': Teen Pitcher Charlie Landers Leaves Lasting Legacy In Final Instagram Post Charlie Landers' final Instagram post is how he wanted to be remembered: Not just standing on a pitcher's mound, but owning it. The photo was taken during the 15-year-old Ramapo High School sophomore's last game ever played, and two years into treatment for Ewing Sarcoma, according to his dad, Mark Landers. The Franklin Lakes teen fought cancer tenaciously since 2019, and never let it dull his passion for baseball. In fact, the sport gave him a reason to keep on swinging. During his treatment, he was always looking one step ahead, focusing on how he could get better and get back on the fi…
'You Matter': Gabriel Perez Of Wyckoff Dies, 19 'You Matter': Gabriel Perez Of Wyckoff Dies, 19
'You Matter': Gabriel Perez Of Wyckoff Dies, 19 "You matter." Those are the words Gabriel "Gabe" Jose Perez is wearing printed on his yellow hoodie in the photo on his obituary.  It's the message that the 19-year-old Wyckoff resident's family is hoping to send to others like Gabe battling depression, after his death Feb. 3, 2022. Gabe is survived by his doting parents, Gabriel S. Perez and Rosa Perez Marmol; supportive sisters, Janille G. Fagundo and Anabel Perez; and his adoring niece, Emmalie Fagundo. Born on May 13, 2002 in New York, NY, after defying many odds, Gabe brought so much joy and warmth to those around him.  Those who k…
‘Gridiron Icon’: Ramapo HS Football Coach Drew Gibbs, 59, Dies After Emergency Surgery ‘Gridiron Icon’: Ramapo HS Football Coach Drew Gibbs, 59, Dies After Emergency Surgery
‘Gridiron Icon’: Ramapo HS Football Coach Drew Gibbs, 59, Dies After Emergency Surgery The term “legend” is often too easily used, but no one who knew him -- or of him -- would dispute how precisely it fits Drew Gibbs. All of them prayed for the best after learning that the Ramapo High School coach and teacher was hospitalized with chest pains following practice on Monday. Gibbs, who was eagerly anticipating another regional championship game this Friday, died Tuesday morning. He was 59. “I am devastated this morning by the sudden passing of the amazing, caring man I had the joy of calling my brother,” Geoff Gibbs posted soon after. “I am at a complete loss for words to des…
COLD CASE: Killer Of Rockland Teen In Notorious Bergen Motel Got Away, Is He Around Today? COLD CASE: Killer Of Rockland Teen In Notorious Bergen Motel Got Away, Is He Around Today?
Cold CASE: Killer Of Rockland Teen In Notorious Bergen Motel Got Away, Is He Around Today? The morning was relatively warm for December when the body of a slain 18-year-old Rockland County girl was found at an infamous Route 17 motel in Bergen County. Someone killed Rosetta Jean-Baptiste by “mechanical asphyxiation” -- similar to what happened to George Floyd.  Only this was 28 years ago. Her parents didn’t know it, but Jean-Baptiste was also pregnant with a boy who was close to full term. He died, as well. The killer was never found. Members of a special cold case unit made up of investigators from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and New Jersey State Police are still h…
Wyckoff Native Anthony Luppino Of Little Falls Dies, 27 Wyckoff Native Anthony Luppino Of Little Falls Dies, 27
Wyckoff Native Anthony Luppino Of Little Falls Dies, 27 Anthony P. Luppino of Little Falls died on Feb. 2. He was 27 years old. The Wyckoff native had been working as a website designer, according to his obituary. He attended Ramapo High School and Seminole State College of Florida. Anthony is survived by his parents Pasquale Luppino of Tampa, Florida, and Lisa Luppino (nee Koch) of Rochelle Park; sister Maria Concetta Luppino; along with aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Services were held Feb. 9 with entombment at Fairview Cemetery Mausoleum in Fairview. Click here for Anthony's complete obituary.
COVID-19: More Schools In Bergen, Passaic County Go Remote COVID-19: More Schools In Bergen, Passaic County Go Remote
Covid-19: More Schools In Bergen, Passaic County Go Remote A switch to remote learning was the move for more schools in Bergen and Passaic counties due to COVID-19. At least two individuals tested positive at Northern Highlands Regional High School, which switched to virtual instruction on Thursday, Oct. 22. Classes will resume in person on Nov. 9, according to a letter sent by schools principal Joseph J. Occhino Wednesday evening. "This letter is to inform you that we just received notification that another individual at Northern Highlands has tested positive for COVID-19," Occhino said, noting schools must close when two or more positive ca…
COVID-19: 5 Cases Close Regional Bergen County High School COVID-19: 5 Cases Close Regional Bergen County High School
Covid-19: 5 Cases Close Regional Bergen County High School A regional high school in Bergen County has switched to remote learning for two weeks after five COVID-19 tests came back positive. Over the weekend, three individuals at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes tested positive for the virus, Interim Superintendent Bruce Watson said in a joint release with Ramapo HS and Indian Hills HS principals. Ramapo HS will hold classes remotely for the next two weeks out of an abundance of caution, Watson said. "It has been determined that these five known cases have had an impact on our school community and resulted in a significant number of …
COVID-19 Cripples Bergen County School District COVID-19 Cripples Bergen County School District
Covid-19 Cripples Bergen County School District COVID-19 is taking its toll on schools in Bergen County's Pascack Valley. Westwood Regional Schools announced Sunday evening that all schools in the district would transition to remote instruction. The district did not say how many people tested positive, or if any at all. Only that classes would be remote until early November. Then, an hour before classes were set to begin at Pascack Hills High School Monday morning, the school went remote and cancelled extracurricular activities. The news comes days after one case was reported at Pascack Valley High School, which switched to remote …
COVID-19: Bergen County HS Temporarily Remote After 3 Students Test Positive COVID-19: Bergen County HS Temporarily Remote After 3 Students Test Positive
Covid-19: Bergen County HS Temporarily Remote After 3 Students Test Positive Another Bergen County school has gone remote due to positive COVID-19 cases. Glen Rock High School will hold classes virtually Monday and Tuesday after three students tested positive for the virus, NorthJersey.com reports citing a letter sent to parents Sunday from Superintendent Brett Charleston. Two students were at the school Thursday, and two were also there for the PSAT Saturday, he said. Students who took the PSAT seated a safe distance away from each other and were wearing masks, Charleston said. One student was in the cafeteria and the other in the media center classroom, according…
Wyckoff Native Stacey Sweetman Sulpizi Dies, 35 Wyckoff Native Stacey Sweetman Sulpizi Dies, 35
Wyckoff Native Stacey Sweetman Sulpizi Dies, 35 Former Wyckoff resident Stacey Lynn Sweetman Sulpizi died April 4. She was 35. Born in Ridgewood, Stacey lived in Hawthorne and Wyckoff before moving to New Castle, Delaware a year ago, her obituary says. Stacey graduated from Ramapo High School in 2002 and had worked at Aqua Plast of Wyckoff for nine years, according to her obituary. Stacey is survived by her husband, Nicholas Sulpizi; her daughter, Grace; her mother, Debra Hooyman; her father, Nelson Sweetman and his wife, Heather; her brother, Randy Sweetman and his wife, Jackie; as well as grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews a…
NY Driver, 16, Caught Tearing Up School Fields In Bergen NY Driver, 16, Caught Tearing Up School Fields In Bergen
NY Driver, 16, Caught Tearing Up School Fields In Bergen A 16-year-old driver from Warwick, NY tore up fields at schools in Wyckoff and Franklin Lakes, causing thousands of dollars in damage, authorities said. Damage to the field at Eisenhower Middle School in Wyckoff alone was estimated at $2,500, Lt. Joseph Soto said Tuesday. Investigating Detective Sgt. Michael Ragucci discovered that the boy also vandalized the field at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes with the SUV, Soto said. The boy was taken into custody and given what is known as a stationhouse adjustment, under which police can release first-time juvenile offenders involved in petty…
Former Standout Ramapo HS Athlete Tyler Speziale Dies, 26 Former Standout Ramapo HS Athlete Tyler Speziale Dies, 26
Former Standout Ramapo HS Athlete Tyler Speziale Dies, 26 Tyler Speziale of Wyckoff died on June 20. He was 26 years old. The 2011 Ramapo High School graduate was a standout player on the football and lacrosse teams. More than $1,900 had been raised as of Sunday morning on a GoFundMe for his family. He is survived by his parents, Gerard and Victoria Speziale; brothers Connor and Spencer Speziale; maternal grandmother Hila Jack; along with a host of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home in Wyckoff. Funeral services will be private.
VIDEO: Boy Who Flattened Mahwah Family's Inflatable Easter Duck Apologizes, Agrees To Pay VIDEO: Boy Who Flattened Mahwah Family's Inflatable Easter Duck Apologizes, Agrees To Pay
Video: Boy Who Flattened Mahwah Family's Inflatable Easter Duck Apologizes, Agrees To Pay In an era of home surveillance cameras and social media, a boy knocking over an inflatable Easter duck on a Mahwah homeowner’s lawn in broad daylight was bound to end in a conviction. Jonathan Marcus posted a video of the boy who broke away from the group he was with, rushed the duck and flattened it around 6:15 p.m. Thursday. At least one of the boys was wearing a Don Bosco jacket, said Marcus, who lives at the corner of Forest Road and Brook Court – across from Wilkes Deli in the township’s Fardale section – and decorates his property for several holidays each year. “The one who destroy…
Website Names Best Public NJ High Schools For Sports Website Names Best Public NJ High Schools For Sports
Website Names Best Public NJ High Schools For Sports The website Niche has released its ranking of the best public high schools for sports, with football powerhouse Wayne Hills clocking in at No. 1.  Pascack Valley High School,  River Dell and Ramapo also made the top 10.  Niche based its rankings mostly on millions of parent and student surveys, which made up 50 percent of the grade. Niche also considered factors such as the number of championships a school has earned, girls' sports participation rates, and the number of sports on offer. To view the complete list, click here. 
Fordham Grad Helms Hackensack's BITE Food & Coffee Co Fordham Grad Helms Hackensack's BITE Food & Coffee Co
Fordham Grad Helms Hackensack's BITE Food & Coffee Co A career in finance would have certainly been lucrative -- but it wasn't what excited Bergen County native Kareem Elzarka most. The 23-year-old has been at the helm of several Manhattan delis with his father Mike Elzarka since graduating from Fordham University in 2017. Earlier this month, the pair opened BITE Food & Coffee Co. on Essex Street in Hackensack. It's exactly where Elzarka wants to be. "I like this business," the Ramapo High School grad said. "It's a lot of fun and rewarding. Challenging -- but it's a good time." BiteCecilia Levine BiteCecilia Levine BiteCecilia…
TONIGHT: Returning 'Jeopardy!' Champion (With $76G Already) Is Wyckoff Native TONIGHT: Returning 'Jeopardy!' Champion (With $76G Already) Is Wyckoff Native
Tonight: Returning 'Jeopardy!' Champion (With $76G Already) Is Wyckoff Native Eric Backes is on a roll.  The Wyckoff native has swept on "Jeopardy!" two nights in a row, pocketing $76,901 so far. He will play again Wednesday evening as the returning champion. After 12 years of online screen tests, Backes joined the game Monday for the first time (the episode was taped in January), Rutgers University reports. He says the "hardcore science questions" are his weakness and a strength for his opponents. The Ramapo High School and Rutgers graduate is no newbie to trivia. In 1999, he won the Cook/Douglass Trivia Bowl in 1999 as part of a three-man team, taking home a $10…
'New Life Meets Old': Bergen Army Cadet Unites Police, SWAT, Military To Boost Local Charities 'New Life Meets Old': Bergen Army Cadet Unites Police, SWAT, Military To Boost Local Charities
'New Life Meets Old': Bergen Army Cadet Unites Police, SWAT, Military To Boost Local Charities For a while, Parisi Speed School in Fair Lawn was Brendan Brown's second home. The Wyckoff native trained and interned there -- fostering a close bond with owner Rich Sadiv, other employees and members. West Point Military Academy, however, became Brown's new second home after graduating from  Ramapo High School in 2016. The cadet found a reason to bring his two worlds together on Saturday, creating the first ever Battle of the Warriors at Parisi, which pit his peers against Bergen County law enforcement and SWAT team member, with a common goal of raising money for local nonprofit organiz…
Services Set For 'Ambitious, Kind' Kasie Del Otero, 16, Of Franklin Lakes Services Set For 'Ambitious, Kind' Kasie Del Otero, 16, Of Franklin Lakes
Services Set For 'Ambitious, Kind' Kasie Del Otero, 16, Of Franklin Lakes Kasie Del Otero was as kind as she was ambitious, those who knew her said. Funeral arrangements have been set for the 16-year-old girl Ramapo High School student from Franklin Lakes, who was struck and killed by a train early Sunday in Clifton. A memorial Mass was scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday at the Mount Blessed Sacrament Church in Franklin Lakes. "I met Kasie at the beginning of my sophomore year of high school, and it is forever changed because of her," a classmate wrote. "She was the kind of person that made you realize how good of a person you are, and that’s somethin…
These Bergen County Schools Have The Best SAT Scores In New Jersey These Bergen County Schools Have The Best SAT Scores In New Jersey
These Bergen County Schools Have The Best SAT Scores In New Jersey The results are in!  According to NJ.com, the average SAT score for the Class of 2017 was 551 in reading and writing, 552 in math and a total of 1,103 out of 1,600.Here's how Bergen and Passaic county schools compare, NJ.com reports. 45. Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan: 1,214; reading: 607; math: 607 39. Glen Rock High School: 1,229; reading 610; math 619 30. Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes: 1,239 (tie with Union County Tech.); reading 616; math 623 28. Northern Highlands Regional High School: 1,248; reading 624; math 624 24. Northern Va…
Fit Cops: Haworth Police Sergeant Is Real Life Transformer Fit Cops: Haworth Police Sergeant Is Real Life Transformer
Fit Cops: Haworth Police Sergeant Is Real Life Transformer HAWORTH, N.J. -- Grabbing food on the road would be the easy option for Haworth Police Sergeant Gianluca Ragone. But maintaining a bodybuilder's physique takes work. For Ragone, that work means preparing meals to get him through a day, early-morning cardio and late-night weight training after a long tour of duty. Ragone's efforts have already paid off, placing him fourth at his first bodybuilding competition in Elmwood Park. While Ragone isn't currently preparing for another competition, he's maintained a healthy lifestyle and is reaping the benefits as he fights crime in Haworth. "…
Teammates Mourn Death Of Wyckoff Soccer Player Ben Landel, 18 Teammates Mourn Death Of Wyckoff Soccer Player Ben Landel, 18
Teammates Mourn Death Of Wyckoff Soccer Player Ben Landel, 18 WYCKOFF, N.J. -- The Ramapo High School community is mourning the loss of standout athlete Ben Landel of Wyckoff. The soccer and track star died Jan. 25 after a battle with cancer at 18 years old after a months-long battle with a rare and powerful cancer. Teammates announced  his passing on a GoFundMe page for Landel, which had raised nearly $43,000 as of Friday afternoon. "Ben taught us all so much during this fight," they wrote. "He was always thinking of how he could help someone else, when everyone else just wanted to help him." "Words can't desrcibe my emotio…