From the South Orange-Maplewood School District:
MAPLEWOOD, N.J. – Photos, hugs, and best wishes were given to more than two dozen graduating Columbia High School student-athletes at a special ceremony this morning [June 5] in the school’s cafeteria.
“This is a great day to be a Cougar,” said Rich Porfido, District Supervisor of Athletics and Activities. “Our student athletes are moving on, but once a Cougar always a Cougar.”
“Our student athletes bring such great pride to Columbia High School and our school district,” said Dr. Kevin F. Gilbert, Acting Superintendent of the South Orange & Maplewood School District. “We thank them, their families, and their coaches for all they have done in being a part of our athletics program, and we wish our graduating student athletes continued success as they compete in college, both in the classroom and in the sports arena.”
Family members, coaches and teammates posed for photos with the student athletes, all of whom will be continuing in their sport when they go to college. The graduating student-athletes who were honored were:
| Name | Sport | College |
| Talia Baptiste | Basketball | Fairleigh Dickinson University |
| Orlando Shin | Baseball | Bard College |
| Na’Asia Coleman | Track & Field | Essex County College |
| Samantha Stein | Softball | West Chester University |
| Gianna Green | Track & Field | Monmouth university |
| Stevenson Memo | Football | Fork Union Military Academy |
| Max Archer | Football | Morehouse College |
| Laura Legros | Track & Field | Saint Elizabeth University |
| Samantha Stein | Softball | West Chester university |
| Madison Stevens | Track & Field | Rutgers University |
| Declan Cavanaugh | Lacrosse | Wheaton College |
| Iliocson Exantus | Soccer | Union College of Union County |
| Zhamir Rowan | Football and Track & Field | Bloomsburg University |
| Miracle Okoli | Track & Field | Marist College |
| Olivia Fitzsimmons | Women’s Lacrosse | Salisbury University |
| Ryan Duval | Football | Monroe College |
| Jeff Janvier | Soccer | Essex County College |
| Declan Cavanaugh | Lacrosse | Wheaton College |
| Godson Destin | Soccer | Essex County College |
| Zhamir Rowan | Football and Track | Bloomsburg University |
| William Beane-Rosenberg | Soccer | Bard College |
| Reno Spagnoli | Baseball | Seton Hall University |
| Jared Carlucci | Baseball | Rutgers University |
| Alex Mandell | Baseball | Anna Maria College |
| Godson Destin | Soccer | Essex County college |
All graduating CHS student athletes who attended the June 5 event.
All graduating MAC scholars, coaches, and administrators.
Declan Cavanaugh and his parents.
Gianna Green and her parents and coaches.
Jared Carlucci, center, and his baseball teammates.
Laura Legros with her sister and coaches.
Madison Stevens with her family and coaches.
Miracle Okoli with his mother and coaches.
Olivia Fitzsimmons with her parents and coach.
Orlando Shin with his mother.
Samantha Stein with her coaches.
Stevenson Memo and his coaches.
Talia Baptiste and her family.
William Beane-Rosenberg and his parents.
Zhamir Rowan and his coaches.
