Board honors student artists, teachers and athletes: West Milford Lions peace-poster winners and multiple school recognitions

The West Milford Board of Education and the West Milford Lions Club recognized student artists and a slate of academic and extracurricular achievements at the Jan. 28 meeting.

Peace-poster awards: John McCarthy, peace-poster contest chair for the West Milford Lions Club, presented the club’s local winners from Macapin Middle School. McCarthy said the contest theme was “Peace Without Limits” and that 144 works were submitted after the school reinstated the contest as a class project. The club awarded a runner-up certificate and $25 to Andrew Vasopolo, sixth grade, and a first-place certificate and $50 to Noelle Reaver, seventh grade. McCarthy said Noelle’s poster advanced to New Jersey Lions District 16 judging and will receive a district-level award in April.

Teacher and student recognitions: the student representative highlighted multiple recognitions at West Milford High School, including journalism and media awards (second place national award from the American Scholastic Press Association for the 2024 literary magazine), VFW honors for teacher Mrs. Petrosillo (named 2025 Veterans of Foreign Wars New Jersey State Teacher of the Year) and many student achievements in music, theater and sports. The board president also congratulated Mrs. Petrosillo for the VFW accolade.

Athletics and activities: the student representative listed recent successes across sports, theater and academic clubs, including All-State band acceptances, theater productions, and county and conference competition results in track, bowling, fencing and wrestling.

Why it matters: the recognitions highlight student and staff accomplishments and community partnerships that the board said are a favorite part of the meeting agenda.

Photos and presentation: winners took photos with board members and club representatives after the presentation.