SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J. (CNS) — It’s probably a pretty safe bet that everyone who gathers on the front lawn of Union Catholic High School in Scotch Plains the evening of July 30 will be shouting, “Go Syd, Go!” as they watch star alumna Sydney McLaughlin compete in track and field at the Tokyo Olympics.

Oradell, NJ: Mrs. Jessica Valdes, Grade 4 teacher at St. Joseph School of Oradell/New Milford, has been named Teacher of the Year for the Archdiocese of Newark. With this distinction, Mrs. Valdes is also the selected candidate for the 2021 Nonpublic School Teacher of the Year award, which is a national competition.

Palencia, Spain: Devine Eke, who a starred on the basketball court during his days at Union Catholic, signed a contract on Tuesday to play professionally for Palencia Baloncesto in Spain. Eke, a 2014 graduate of UC, is joining a team that plays in the Liga Española de Baloncesto (also known as LEB Oro), which is the second basketball division of the Spanish Basketball League.

Demarest, NJ: Moved by the loss of her infant sister, Erin Choi decided to use her knitting skills to craft hats for babies who require a stay in intensive care. This summer, the 2021 Academy of the Holy Angels graduate presented the Valley Hospital with 40 hats made by Choi and her club, Knitting for a Kause.

Eugene, OR: The Union Catholic track and field teams reaffirmed its status as one of the best programs in the country by putting together multiple stunning performances when the Vikings burned up the track with several All-American finishes at the Nike Outdoor National Championships that concluded on Saturday at Hayward Field.

Sydney McLaughlin, who shocked the track and field world when she made the 2016 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Team at the age of 16, produced another jaw-dropping performance when she smashed the World Record in the women's 400-meter hurdles at the U.S. Olympic Trials on Sunday night at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Clark, NJ: Mother Seton Regional High School, Clark, held commencement exercises on May 27, 2021. Diplomas were presented by Sister Jacquelyn Balasia, Principal.The Class of 2021 has achieved in excess of $16.7 million dollars in academic scholarships and awards.  

Little Falls, NJ: Continuing a beloved tradition in local high school sports, for the ninth consecutive year the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center honored student athletes from member schools of the Super Essex Conference (SEC) in a celebration of the qualities that made Yogi Berra a national treasure.

Township of Washington, NJ: Immaculate Heart Academy’s 2021 seniors were celebrated and honored at a Baccalaureate Mass & Awards Ceremony on June 4, 2021 in IHA’s performing arts center. Thank you to Fr. Patrick Seo and the IHA staff who planned and participated in the beautiful Mass...