District honors students selected to county and regional music ensembles

An administrator at the New Milford Public School District paused the board’s business on Jan. 30 to honor students selected to county- and regional-level music ensembles and to recognize recent extracurricular achievements.

The administrator read the names of students chosen for Bergen County and North Region ensembles and praised the effort required to earn those spots, noting the competitive selection process and thanking teachers and families for their support. Students acknowledged by name included Christian Dionisio, Vince O'Mida and Neil Lynch (high school); Charles Gensler (middle school band, tuba); and Kiana San Pedro, Annika Thomas, Eli Dever and Carson Chan (middle-school chorus/orchestra selections).

The remarks also highlighted other student achievements and district activities: a district concert that drew large parent turnout, the PlayUnify program, undefeated runs for some wrestling squads, athletic milestones such as Luis Posillo scoring his 1,000th point, and an article about student Devin Ryan’s decision to remain in the district and his subsequent acceptance to West Point. The board also acknowledged donations that support student programs, including a trampoline for the WINGS program and an AED to be mounted outside the field house for faster access during athletic events.

“You're competing against the top kids from every single district,” the administrator said while praising the students’ persistence and practice. The board said it would formally recognize the students with a proclamation and asked the community to join school concerts and upcoming events such as an alumni benefit concert and a family night at Berkeley Elementary.

The meeting moved from recognition to routine business after the presentation.