Movement reaches North Jersey
The idea has taken off ever since Becton superintendent Dr. Dario Sforza opened his email a few weeks ago. A Becton parent found out about the movement from a relative in Missouri and inspired Sforza to bring it to New Jersey. He then reached out to other administrators in the area and even got the NJSIAA to take notice.
“I think the lights will light up most of the town,” said Waldwick principal Kevin Carroll.
“There’s a possibility that we will get not only every high school in Bergen County, but as many around the state as possible,” Sforza said. “It’s been such a heartwarming tribute to our senior class.”
Sforza was ahead of the game when he lit up the skies in East Rutherford on April 17. Since then, a number of seniors have driven to Riggin Field on Fridays – all while practicing social distancing.
The Becton school district has been devastated by COVID-19, including the loss of staff member Javiera “Javi” Rodriguez, but Sforza has also seen the community come together. A Becton relief fund has raised thousands of dollars for families affected by the pandemic.
This senior class, at the very least for Becton, but also all over Bergen County and the nation, have some of the most resilient young men and women that I’ve ever met,” Sforza said.
“For them to be able to go through something like this and come out stronger than ever before, they’ll be able to deal with any obstacle that life throws at them. For them to remain positive during such a tragic national crisis is really going to set them apart.”