Arthur L. Johnson Crusader Football scholarships are presented

Officer Waterson made the ultimate sacrifice; he gave his life in the line of duty. He was brave, honest and devoted to the job. Tom Maye, owner of Station Cab, presents this award to be displayed in our main trophy case and a scholarship to the senior who most exemplifies the character traits of Waterson. This award speaks to sacrifice and commitment. The recipient set a new standard of leadership and character in our school and community. He has the innate ability to impact all students in our school. He is well-liked and respected by his peers. The 2024-2025 William Waterson Memorial Scholarship goes to Robert Gallagher.

The Collegiate Athlete of the Year honors a former Crusader that has gone on to succeed both in the classroom and on the athletic fields. The 2024-2025 recipient was Vincent Papa, who played collegiate football at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

The Coach Seymore “Red” Kelin Most Improved Player Scholarship recipient receives a scholarship and plaque. It is presented to the senior football player who through dedication, hard work, and perseverance has shown a tremendous improvement in the sport of football throughout their high school career. The 2024-2025 Most Improved Player Scholarship goes to Anthony Ayre.

The Don LaPenna III Memorial Leadership Scholarship recipient receives a scholarship and plaque. It is presented to the senior football player who, in the same way as LaPenna, overcame odds and had a true love of Crusader Football. The athlete must be a great role model who displayed excellent leadership qualities and was dedicated to his team. The 2024-2025 Don LaPenna Leadership Memorial Scholarship goes to Ryan George.

The Dennis Carpini Memorial Scholarship recipient receives a scholarship and plaque. It is presented to the senior football player who, in the same way as Carpini, overcame odds and had a true love of Crusader Football. The athlete must be a heart and soul competitor, a unifier and a positive role model. The 2024-2025 Dennis Carpini Memorial Scholarship goes to Daniel Metroka.

Henry R. Varriano presents this award to a senior player who displays determination and a never give up attitude. The recipient of this award always puts team above self, sacrificed individuality for the team, pushed himself to achieve greater heights, overcame adversity and displayed perseverance. The Varriano Award is for a scholarship and plaque. The 2024-2025 Varriano Award winners were Matthew Gesior, Connor Marcczewski and Raymond Guenther.

Clark Youth Football annually presents the Clark Youth Football Scholarship to a Senior Football player who played youth football in Clark and then at Arthur L. Johnson High School. The award includes a scholarship and plaque. This year’s 2024-2025 Clark Youth Football Scholarship recipient is Joshua Maltez-Torres.

The Sanguliano family annually presents the Century 21 JRS Academic Achievement Award to our senior football player with the highest grade-point average. The award includes a scholarship and plaque. This year’s 2024-2025 Academic Achievement Award winner is Ryan Volmut.

The loss of Thomas Santaguida devastated everyone. A man was lost who was loved and admired. When Santaguida came to Arthur L. Johnson High School in 1993, he had to replace one of the most respected and loved men in ALJ history in Lou Paragallo. He won everyone over with his dignity, his professionalism, his confidence and, most of all, his sense of sportsmanship and fair play. He was a mentor to everyone and everyone became stronger from the experience. As a high school player at Plainfield High School, Santaguida played football and basketball. His coaches and teammates said, even then, his fiery style and zest for competition stood out. Those are the qualities that are celebrated in naming the 2024-2025 Johnson Football “Saint of the Year.” The 2024-2025 “Saint of the Year” is Michael LaRocca.