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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...

Paramus, NJ: The faculty and administration at Visitation Academy are so proud of our graduating class of 2021. In spite of all the obstacles this school year has thrown at them, our eighth graders have been offered over $400,000.00 in scholarships.

Trenton, NJ: Governor Murphy announced his proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2022 on February 23, 2021. The Budget process is now in the hands of the Legislature. We are asking the Legislature for increases in the per-pupil amounts for the nonpublic transportation ceiling and the Nonpublic School Technology Initiative.

Township of Washington, NJ: Immaculate Heart Academy’s Fifty-Eighth Annual Commencement Ceremony took place on the morning of Saturday, June 5, 2021 on IHA’s turf field. One hundred ninety-three students graduated, gaining the titles of IHA alumnae!

Scotch Plains, NJ: Sister Percylee Hart, RSM, the Principal of Union Catholic for the last 41 years, received her award on Thursday for being chosen as the recipient of the 2020-21 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Union County Commission on the Status of Women.

Demarest, NJ: Just weeks after reclaiming their national title, four varsity dancers from the Academy of the Holy Angels’ Class of 2021 became members of some the nation’s best collegiate dance teams.

Scotch Plains, NJ: Joyous screams echoed through the air and blue caps were sent soaring toward the sun-splashed sky when Union Catholic’s Class of 2021 made history by becoming the first group to ever graduate during a ceremony held in front of the school on Thursday.

Westfield, NJ: Holy Trinity School placed 2nd overall for the school year in the Union County Catholic School League of Forensics. The league comprises six Catholic elementary schools in Union County. Despite the restrictions imposed by COVID-19. it was a terrific year for the students.

Scotch Plains, NJ: Over the last decade, the Union Catholic girls track and field program has established itself as one of the best in the country. The Vikings have won numerous state and national titles, and set multiple records on the state and national levels.

Scotch Plains, NJ: Union Catholic continued its longstanding tradition with the May Crowning of the Blessed Virgin Mary during a ceremony in the main foyer of the school on Wednesday morning.

Holy Angels’ quest for a fifth national title in small varsity hip-hop concluded this month in Orlando, as the dominant dancers reclaimed the number one spot they held in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Immaculate Heart Academy Campus Ministry presented Legacy Day for the members of our Class of 2021, an outdoor, socially distant parent and student retreat to celebrate sisterhood, family, and this special graduating class!