CLARK — TheArthur L. Johnson High School Alumni Association (ALJHSAA) will induct the 2024 Hall of Fame Class at its annual HOF/Scholarship Dinner on Thursday, May 16, at The Gran Centurions banquet hall in Clark. Those wishing to attend the dinner can download a dinner registration form at https://aljalumni.org/defaultnew. asp by clicking on “Alumni Hall of Fame” and then “Dinner Registration Form.” The ALJHSAA Hall of Fame Inductees for 2024 include the following: Arlene Crescenzi Allen (Posthumous Induction) — Class of 1960 (Distinguished Faculty). Valedictorian of ALJ’s Class of 1960, Mrs. Allen earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Montclair State University (formerly Montclair State College) and her Master’s degree in Humanities from Kean University (then Newark State College). She began her ALJ teaching career in the fall of 1964, teaching English and Literature. She retired from ALJ in 2001 after 37 years of service, having taught approximately 5,700 students.
Marnie Perez — Class of 1990 (Accomplished Professional). Ms. Perez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Rhode Island in 1994. Her résumé includes having been program coordinator for Dateline NBC, producer/ publicist and later senior publicist, managing partnerships with “Dateline,” NBC, “The Today Show” and CNN. She has been in a leadership position at People magazine for 24 years, having served as senior manager of communications and later as director of communications. She currently is vice president, brand communications, entertainment for People and PEOPLE en Español.
Dr. Christopher Velotti, Ed.D. — Class of 1992 (Community Contributor). Dr. Velotti has overcome the challenges posed by the traumatic brain injury he sustained as a passenger in a 1995 motor vehicle accident. He received his bachelor’s degree in health and exercise science from The College of New Jersey. Although still receiving treatment as an outpatient, he pursued his education, earning his Master of Education along with his Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certificate. While teaching at a penal institution in 2019, he took on the role of inspiring adjudicated youth to achieve success both in and out of the classroom as he pursued his doctorate in collaborative learning. He continually takes the initiative to ensure his students are exposed to educational opportunities that result in academic success and systemic growth. James Burg — Class of 1964 (Hero). A star athlete at ALJ, he subsequently graduated from the Virginia Military Institute with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and entered active service. While on patrol in Cambodia, he was severely wounded by a land mine, leaving him partially paralyzed. The recipient of two meritorious awards and a service award, Mr. Burg later earned a degree in counseling. He volunteered 30 years and over 30,000 hours ministering good will to thousands of veterans at Bob Stump Memorial VA Hospital in Prescott, Ariz. For his devotion, the U.S. Army awarded him The National Commander Service Award on January 19, 2012. He continued to volunteer for another 10 years.
The Honorable Fred H. Kumpf — Class of 1961 (Accomplished Professional). Judge Kumpf earned his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and entered Rutgers Law School, obtaining his Jurist Doctorate in 1968. After obtaining his Juris Doctorate and following his military service, he served as Deputy Attorney General in the Appellate Section of the Division of Criminal Justice in the office of the New Jersey Attorney General. He also has served as Assistant Counsel to New Jersey Governor William T. Cahill, as a Judge of Compensation for the New Jersey Division of Workers Compensation and as a Superior Court Judge for the State of New Jersey.
Daniel E. Redziniak, M.D. — Class of 1992 (Accomplished Professional). Dr. Redziniak is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey, where he obtained his Medical Degree. He was the Chesapeake Bayhawks’ orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician and his résumé also includes serving as a physician for multiple college and university athletic teams. His practice emphasis is on all aspects of care of the shoulder and knee as well as other sports-related injuries. He also specializes in fracture management. Dr. Redziniak has been involved in many research studies involving sports-injury repair and rehabilitation.
Thomas Galiszewski — Class of 1960 (Distinguished Faculty). The Garwood native graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry Education, and from Rutgers University in 1977 with a Master’s in Science Teachers in Physics degree. He had a 36-year career as an ALJ faculty member, starting in 1966, and also served as an assistant varsity wrestling coach at the high school for 29 years.
Matthew Joseph Baker — Class of 2006 (Accomplished Professional). Mr. Baker graduated magna cum laude in 2010 from the Stillman School of Business of Seton Hall University with a concentration in sport management. After graduation, he began his tenure at MLB Network. Positions that he has held include senior researcher and producer. He has received six Emmy Awards for MLB Network’s primary show, “MLB Tonight.” In his time at the MLB Network, Mr. Baker has experienced two major promotions and is now a producer for MLB primetime shows.
