Gnocchi/Crepe Night 2022After a long four years, on May 23, 2022, the Italian Club teamed up with the French Club this year to host a wonderful event for the Cresskill Middle and High School Students. Hosted in the Bryan School cafeteria, teachers and students of Italian and French showcased special recipes to make gnocchi and pesto and crepes.
La Finalissima!The Italian Club was happy to host a wonderful cultural experience on June 1, 2022 watching La Finalissima soccer match of Italy versus Argentina! Students were able to watch the game together and cheer on their favorite teams and players! Great preview of World Cup events coming this November to all World Language Classes!
Here are a few pictures of Italian Night 2018 |
Italian Night 2018 |
The cafeteria at Cresskill Middle/High School was draped in the green, white and red colors representing the Italian flag, the Italian Department and the clubs from both the middle and high schools. The last of the guests had left. The student made photo booth with Italian signs layed propped up against the wall and the floor, that was the stage of the evening’s events, was covered in confetti. It was the image of another successful Italian Night hosted at Cresskill by the Italian department.
The evening opened with a welcoming speech from assistant principal and World Language supervisor, Melissa Cavins. Shortly thereafter, Sophie Green introduced the video that both she and Isabella Moss worked on. With the theme song of Jovanotti “Ciao mamma guardo come mi diverto”, Hey mom look how much fun I’m having, the video featured interviews of students in Italian classes and they talked about their fun experiences. As the video finished up, Emma Haggerty, Victoria Trinidad, and Cristina Scofield took the floor. Introduced by Senior, Sydni Haggerty, the trio had parents and special guests hypnotized by the angelic voice of Victoria and musical accompaniment of Emma on guitar and Cristina on keyboard singing Ornella Vanoni’s “L’appuntamento”.
The evening continued with lots of Italian food generously donated by parents and local businesses such as Dante’s of Ridgefield Park and Villa Amalfi of Cliffside Park. As the show continued, guests flocked to the zeppole stand, a new addition to the evening’s events! A typical Italian feast, good food, music, entertainment, and family centered. Students created a handmade photobooth and selfie station with the hashtag #CresskillItalianNight2018. The night got more exciting when results from the Italian National Exam were announced. This year, more than 5000 students from all over the country participated in the National Exam competition, 1500 receiving medals and Honorable Mention. A total of 47 medals were awarded to Cresskill students of Italian in grades 7-12. The outstanding performance of these Italian learners in this national competition brings great honor not just to their teachers Ms. Diana M. Zoino and Mrs. Gina Cirillo, but honor to the schools, the district, and the Italian program. The following students were recognized with Honorable mention in each of their categories, IN LEVEL V: Veronica Dunphy, Michelle Lee, Julia Maltby, Wei Ngai
IN LEVEL IV: Gwenyth Gorfin, Sophie Green, Isabella Moss, and Annie Tzvetanova
IN LEVEL III:Sarah Lorito, Victoria Milionis, Annie Mioli, Victoria Raspe, Jamie Reiner
IN LEVEL II:Rohan Chotirmall, Noelle Debrot, Grace Lapinig, Katherine Lee, Emma Schatz, and Julianna Sikoryak IN LEVEL I (8th grade);Jack Costa, Alicia Doku, Jacqueline Gorfin, Kristen Jan, Chelsie Lim, James Milionis, Nicole Moallen, and Ling Ngai IN THE NOVICE LEVEL (7TH GRADE): Gal Hayner, David Moscu, Juliette Nappi, Anthony Parisi, Sean Reiner, Jimmy Connelly, Riku Tsurishima, and Sydney Zaicov.
The following students received a Bronze medal in their respective categories, IN LEVEL V: Mark Batistich, Nikhil Chotirmall, Peleg Rafaeli and Alis Tokatgliu IN LEVEL IV: Max Gentile IN LEVEL III: Jada Urbaez IN LEVEL II: Robert Batistich IN LEVEL I (HS): Mikaela Mannarang and Mario Binetti IN LEVEL I (MS): Alessandro Dangelico, Daniele Dangelico, Giada Evangelista, and Jean Paul Solano. IN THE NOVICE LEVEL (7th Grade): Amber Dangelico, Matthew Couch, and Danielle Villani.
The following students received a silver medal in their respective categories:
IN LEVEL I (HS) Julianna Scofield and IN LEVEL I (MS) Ohr Gutman
And finally, students anxiously awaited for the announcement of the grand prize winner, achieving the honor of receiving a Gold medal in the Novice category and a monetary prize but in addition this student earned #1 in the country and will be awarded a two week course at a language school in Italy. Accommodations and tuition expenses are included courtesy of AATI (American Association of Teachers of Italian) and they will also be contributing $1000 towards her flight to seventh grader, Sofia Zypman. The cafeteria erupted in applause as she made her way to the center of the stage where she was warmly congratulated with a hug by her Senior brother, Toby Zypman, Italian National Honor Society president and also recipient of the NJ Seal of Biliteracy for English, Italian and Spanish. In addition to these outstanding awards, it was highlighted that this year was the first year that students studying Italian participated in the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy exam. In order for students to be eligible for the Seal, they must demonstrate a proficiency level of Intermediate Mid in a World Language as well as demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting state high school graduation requirements. Seniors from Italian AP and former Italian students will be receiving an official Seal from the State of New Jersey for Italian and English, Mark Batistich, Nikhil Chotirmall, Zachary Kolodzinski, Sabrina Lew, Julia Maltby, Wei Ngai, Peleg Rafaeli, Lori Stolyarov, Steven Villani, Justin Yee and Alexandra King.
Difficult to follow such an amazing show of student awards, but George and Julianna Sikoryak, took the stage to introduce the 6th and 7th grade students that worked under the guidance of Mrs. Gina Cirillo on a different dance than previous years. While in previous years, students showcased the traditional Italian dances of the Tarantella and last year, Nella vecchia Fattoria, this year, a modern twist was added that had parents laughing and camera flashes flashing. Dancing to “L’esercito del Selfie”, “The Army of Selfies”, the Italian song is a parody of today’s society that is dominated by technology and social media. Dancing away with phones in hand and flashing selfies the dance number ended with a blast of confetti!
Following the dance, Mark and Robert Batistich came up the stage to give gifts and recognize special guests that were an integral part of the evening’s success, World Language Supervisor and assistant Principal Ms. Cavins and major benefactor and sponsor of Italian Studies, the Coccia Foundation president and Co-Founder, Elisa and Elda Coccia.
Before the night was over, brothers Nikhil and Rohan Chotirmall explained to guests the final award of the evening, the Italian Studies Scholarship Award. The The senior students awaited in suspense for the announcement of the recipients of the First Italian Studies Scholarship which was awarded to Sydni Haggerty and Steven Villani. Both students have been active members of the Italian Club and Honor Society and will continue in their studies as minors of the Italian language in their universities come Fall 2018. The event was closed out by siblings Joseph and Julia Hasentstab and a closing speech by principal Mr. John Massaro. It was certainly an evening not to be forgotten by all those that attended.
The evening opened with a welcoming speech from assistant principal and World Language supervisor, Melissa Cavins. Shortly thereafter, Sophie Green introduced the video that both she and Isabella Moss worked on. With the theme song of Jovanotti “Ciao mamma guardo come mi diverto”, Hey mom look how much fun I’m having, the video featured interviews of students in Italian classes and they talked about their fun experiences. As the video finished up, Emma Haggerty, Victoria Trinidad, and Cristina Scofield took the floor. Introduced by Senior, Sydni Haggerty, the trio had parents and special guests hypnotized by the angelic voice of Victoria and musical accompaniment of Emma on guitar and Cristina on keyboard singing Ornella Vanoni’s “L’appuntamento”.
The evening continued with lots of Italian food generously donated by parents and local businesses such as Dante’s of Ridgefield Park and Villa Amalfi of Cliffside Park. As the show continued, guests flocked to the zeppole stand, a new addition to the evening’s events! A typical Italian feast, good food, music, entertainment, and family centered. Students created a handmade photobooth and selfie station with the hashtag #CresskillItalianNight2018. The night got more exciting when results from the Italian National Exam were announced. This year, more than 5000 students from all over the country participated in the National Exam competition, 1500 receiving medals and Honorable Mention. A total of 47 medals were awarded to Cresskill students of Italian in grades 7-12. The outstanding performance of these Italian learners in this national competition brings great honor not just to their teachers Ms. Diana M. Zoino and Mrs. Gina Cirillo, but honor to the schools, the district, and the Italian program. The following students were recognized with Honorable mention in each of their categories, IN LEVEL V: Veronica Dunphy, Michelle Lee, Julia Maltby, Wei Ngai
IN LEVEL IV: Gwenyth Gorfin, Sophie Green, Isabella Moss, and Annie Tzvetanova
IN LEVEL III:Sarah Lorito, Victoria Milionis, Annie Mioli, Victoria Raspe, Jamie Reiner
IN LEVEL II:Rohan Chotirmall, Noelle Debrot, Grace Lapinig, Katherine Lee, Emma Schatz, and Julianna Sikoryak IN LEVEL I (8th grade);Jack Costa, Alicia Doku, Jacqueline Gorfin, Kristen Jan, Chelsie Lim, James Milionis, Nicole Moallen, and Ling Ngai IN THE NOVICE LEVEL (7TH GRADE): Gal Hayner, David Moscu, Juliette Nappi, Anthony Parisi, Sean Reiner, Jimmy Connelly, Riku Tsurishima, and Sydney Zaicov.
The following students received a Bronze medal in their respective categories, IN LEVEL V: Mark Batistich, Nikhil Chotirmall, Peleg Rafaeli and Alis Tokatgliu IN LEVEL IV: Max Gentile IN LEVEL III: Jada Urbaez IN LEVEL II: Robert Batistich IN LEVEL I (HS): Mikaela Mannarang and Mario Binetti IN LEVEL I (MS): Alessandro Dangelico, Daniele Dangelico, Giada Evangelista, and Jean Paul Solano. IN THE NOVICE LEVEL (7th Grade): Amber Dangelico, Matthew Couch, and Danielle Villani.
The following students received a silver medal in their respective categories:
IN LEVEL I (HS) Julianna Scofield and IN LEVEL I (MS) Ohr Gutman
And finally, students anxiously awaited for the announcement of the grand prize winner, achieving the honor of receiving a Gold medal in the Novice category and a monetary prize but in addition this student earned #1 in the country and will be awarded a two week course at a language school in Italy. Accommodations and tuition expenses are included courtesy of AATI (American Association of Teachers of Italian) and they will also be contributing $1000 towards her flight to seventh grader, Sofia Zypman. The cafeteria erupted in applause as she made her way to the center of the stage where she was warmly congratulated with a hug by her Senior brother, Toby Zypman, Italian National Honor Society president and also recipient of the NJ Seal of Biliteracy for English, Italian and Spanish. In addition to these outstanding awards, it was highlighted that this year was the first year that students studying Italian participated in the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy exam. In order for students to be eligible for the Seal, they must demonstrate a proficiency level of Intermediate Mid in a World Language as well as demonstrate proficiency in English by meeting state high school graduation requirements. Seniors from Italian AP and former Italian students will be receiving an official Seal from the State of New Jersey for Italian and English, Mark Batistich, Nikhil Chotirmall, Zachary Kolodzinski, Sabrina Lew, Julia Maltby, Wei Ngai, Peleg Rafaeli, Lori Stolyarov, Steven Villani, Justin Yee and Alexandra King.
Difficult to follow such an amazing show of student awards, but George and Julianna Sikoryak, took the stage to introduce the 6th and 7th grade students that worked under the guidance of Mrs. Gina Cirillo on a different dance than previous years. While in previous years, students showcased the traditional Italian dances of the Tarantella and last year, Nella vecchia Fattoria, this year, a modern twist was added that had parents laughing and camera flashes flashing. Dancing to “L’esercito del Selfie”, “The Army of Selfies”, the Italian song is a parody of today’s society that is dominated by technology and social media. Dancing away with phones in hand and flashing selfies the dance number ended with a blast of confetti!
Following the dance, Mark and Robert Batistich came up the stage to give gifts and recognize special guests that were an integral part of the evening’s success, World Language Supervisor and assistant Principal Ms. Cavins and major benefactor and sponsor of Italian Studies, the Coccia Foundation president and Co-Founder, Elisa and Elda Coccia.
Before the night was over, brothers Nikhil and Rohan Chotirmall explained to guests the final award of the evening, the Italian Studies Scholarship Award. The The senior students awaited in suspense for the announcement of the recipients of the First Italian Studies Scholarship which was awarded to Sydni Haggerty and Steven Villani. Both students have been active members of the Italian Club and Honor Society and will continue in their studies as minors of the Italian language in their universities come Fall 2018. The event was closed out by siblings Joseph and Julia Hasentstab and a closing speech by principal Mr. John Massaro. It was certainly an evening not to be forgotten by all those that attended.