Recent graduate Aidan Burns was honored at Clearview Regional’s June 20 board of education meeting for his success in winter track.
Burns, who played on the high school’s football and lacrosse teams and ran track in the winter, placed first in the 55-meter dash for the Group III sectional meet at the Bennett Center in Toms River, finishing the race in 6.59 seconds. In 2018, he placed first in the same event.
“This past week, he was recognized by the U.S. Men’s Lacrosse League as an academic all-American athlete,” Director of Student Activities and Athletics Mike Vicente said. “That is truly a prestigious honor that they don’t hand out. It’s a true testament to his efforts in the classroom.”
In the fall, Burns will be at Stockton University, majoring in molecular biochemistry.
Vicente added Burns was injured at various points in his sophomore, junior and senior years as an athlete, and “he pushed through it and never gave up.” He said Burns missed half of the spring lacrosse season, but wound up being the leading goal scorer.
“That shows what type of athlete he was on the field in a very competitive program,” Vicente said.
Burns’ winter track head coach Dan Matozzo remarked how it was for him to repeat as a sectional champion, despite the injuries he had.
“He showed up at sectionals as an underdog and lit it up,” Matozzo said. “He wound up repeating and won his preliminary race and the final by a landslide. The whole ride has been great.”
Superintendent John Horchak ended Burns’ recognition joking about his determination to be in nearly every group picture or video at major sporting events.
In other news:
- The district is working to make progress on its health and physical education curriculum. Places of improvement were not made public.
- The board of education will be looking at compensation for the Debate Club advisor, Michel Richard, with the club amassing 26 students and various meetings taking place throughout the school year.
- Board President Michele Giaquinto wished the recent graduates luck in their futures and commented how they had more beach balls thrown than any other previous class.
- “Cinderella” was approved to be the high school’s fall play.
- The following clubs were added to the district starting in the fall: middle school robotics club (headed by Thomas Guida on a volunteer basis) and high school sign language club (headed by Kristi Gimple on a volunteer basis).
The next board meeting is scheduled for July 25 at 7 p.m., however, the meeting will only occur if deemed necessary. Changes in the meeting will be reflected in The Sun.
