Photos and story by Dan Collins Courtesy of TapIntoClark.com

CLARK, NJ-  The Arthur L. Johnson High School celebrated its graduating senior football players, cheerleaders and marching band members in a special recognition held before Friday night's football game against North Plainfield.
The student athletes were joined on the field by their family members, in a special remembrance of their years as Crusaders. 
The Class of 2017 seniors honored were:
​Marching Band:

• David Gonclaves
• Christopher and Nicholas Pazienza
• Jessica Moore
• Lauren Petite
• Amanda Rodriguez
• Synde Friedman
• Daniella Pacella
• Kelly Sullivan

Cheerleading:

• Carissa Vuono*
• Jennifer Casalino*
• Christie Bove*

By Lauren Petite--Courtesy of TapintoClark
​CLARK, NJ - The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusader marching band had another victorious competition this past weekend, coming in second place in the Chapter Ten championships.  The band also walked away with wins for best auxiliary and percussion.
With this feat, the Marching Crusaders became officially eligible to perform at the Atlantic Coast Championship along with 20 other bands this Sunday, Oct. 30, at Hershey Stadium in Hershey Park, Pennsylvania.
The band is currently ranked ninth overall and will perform sixth at the competition. They are extremely happy with this and are excited to compete at their biggest competition of the season.

Students and staff donned their pinkiest outfits on October 28th in support of SMACs Breast Cancer Awareness charities. Students donated to have their faces painted, while teachers around the district donated $5 and wore pink and jeans in support. At the end of the school day, SMAC members held a bake sale to raise additional funds for their charities. 

By Ty Dobbins 

Halloween is almost upon us, which means the time has come for blood, gore, vampires and Dracula.  On November 17th and 18th, the drama department will mount a production of Bram Stoker’s classic thriller. According to Mr. Nevargic, director of the play, this is “the most gruesome and ambitious show to be performed on the stage of ALJ, Dracula is sure to astound audiences with its suspense, bloodshed and carnage.”Mr. Nevargic, went on to say that this show “is not for the faint of heart.”
The stage crew, led by Mr. Terhune, has built an elaborate set to be the backdrop for this literary classic. “Once again Mr. Nevargic has provided me with a creative set to build” Terhune said “as always, we collectively come to a solution that compliments our talented hardworking cast.” Be sure to come see the cast take on the difficult task of cleansing the world of evil, one vampire at a time. The play will be produced on Thursday, November 17th @ 7pm and Friday, November 18th @ 7pm.  All seats are $5.00. 

By Chloe Hessler

​On Friday, October 28th, ALJ students will participate in the Second Annual SMAC Pink Out. In support of Breast Cancer Awareness month, students will dress in pink clothes or wear the pink shirt that the SMAC Club sold.
 
The money raised from this sale will be donated to an organization that focuses on giving scholarships to the sons and daughters of a mother that had or has breast cancer. 
 
SMAC Club will also be selling ribbons for students to buy, as well as face painting in support of breast cancer awareness.
 
This money will be donated to The Susan Satriano Memorial Scholarship Foundation.  Last year's Pink Out was a major success, raising hundreds of dollars for charities.
 

Loren Hsu is the Crusader Today’s first Educator Profile, but she is not actually a new teacher to Clark Public Schools. Mrs. Hsu (pronounced “Sue”) taught resource room and self-contained classes for 22 years at both Hehnly and Valley Road Schools. Beginning this year, Mrs. Hsu teaches American Sign Language 1, World History, and Study Skills at ALJ. 
Mrs. Hsu graduated from Trenton State College (today known as TCNJ) as a Teacher of the Deaf.  She then completed an Interpreter for the Deaf certification program. She grew up in Union, New Jersey,  and graduated from Union High School. She has lived in Union County all her life.

​Her personal interests revolve around her family. “I love spending time with my family.  Both my daughters compete at dance competitions and we spend much of our time at the dance studio," Mrs. Hsu said. She is also a fan of personal fitness.  She has completed three triathlons, three half marathons, and one marathon.
When asked what she loves about teaching she said,  “I LOVE interacting with my students.  I love knowing that maybe, just maybe, I have made a difference and my students will remember me when they are older and out of school.  I still keep in touch with my third grade teacher who inspired me.  Thanks, Mrs. Faulks.”  

Mrs. Hsu is enjoying teaching at ALJ very much. “I have had the best 22 years at elementary level and my first few months at ALJ have been spectacular!  I am so happy to be here at the high school level,” Students are enjoying the uniqueness of the sign language classes. Dana Ugarte, a sophomore in Mrs. Hsu’s 6B American Sign Language class is enjoying the class very much. “I took the class because it is so different than anything else offered at ALJ. It’s really a great class.” 

CLARK, NJ - The Arthur L. Johnson Crusader Marching Band continued their competitive year this past weekend with two spectacular wins. The Marching Crusaders won first place as well as the high music and visual awards in the Southern Regional and Governor Livingston high schools’ competitions.  
The marching band continues to work hard to keep this winning streak going. Just this week they worked over twenty-two hours to perfect their show. All that hard work continues to pay off for the Marching Crusaders.
Come support the ALJ Marching Band at their NJ state championships on Saturday at Toms River North High School or on Sunday at West Essex High School for the Chapter 10 championships.