Fair Lawn Students Get Associate Degree Before FLHS Graduation

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A group of 14 Fair Lawn High School seniors were honored for a unique achievement recently, as they received an Associate's Degree before their high school diploma.

The high school's first graduating cohorts completed a dual-enrollment program from Bergen Community College’s Early College Program, which they began in September 2019.

On May 13, the seniors graduated virtually with an associate’s degree from BCC, six weeks before they will receive their high school diploma with their Class of 2021 peers at Sasso Field on June 22.

“Congratulations to the first 14 students ever from Fair Lawn High School to graduate with an associate’s degree before high school,” said Superintendent Nick Norcia. “You made our dream of starting this pro gram in our district become a reality.”

Pre-pandemic, the students attended classes at BCC in the morning and were bused back to FLHS to finish their high school classes in the afternoon. On top of this, students participated in sports, clubs, worked part-time jobs, or juggled studying for their ACT/SAT tests.

Students shifted to remote classes this past year due to the pandemic.

“I would 100 percent recommend the program because it is totally worth it,” said Michael Natenzon, one of the BCC graduates.

“It was a lifetime opportunity and it may be hard and intimidating, but it was worth it.”

“The best part for me was to experience what college is all about, to learn about the freedom, that was huge,” said Finn Kliewer.

FLHS Guidance Counselor Stacy Maio was the lead contact for the students for the past two years, helping to guide them through the BCC program and making sure they were on track to graduate from FLHS, high school officials said.

“It has been a pleasure to get to work with you and witness the growth, maturity and transformation each of you has undergone since walking into the conference room that day," said Maio.

"You walked in as high school kids, nervous and excited to embark on this challenge, and you are walking out as young adult college graduates with confidence, independence and an associate’s degree. Congratulations."

Fair Lawn High School held an in-person pre-graduation ceremony in the school’s auditorium to recognize the graduates and their families before BCC’s virtual commencement ceremony for more than 2,000 graduates.

FLHS Principal Paul Gorski, Vice Principal Nicole Mattina, Superintendent Nick Norcia, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum Dr. Natalie Lacatena, and Board of Education Trustee Julie Mahan congratulated each graduate as they walked across the stage to receive their certificate of completion from FLHS.

Each graduate’s photo was displayed on the auditorium screen and a few words were spoken about where they will be attending college and what they plan to study.

And this won't be the last time the school honors graduates of the program. Ten FLHS cohorts have already enrolled in BCC’s 2021-2023 program, according to district officials.

Below are the graduating students, and where they will be attending college.

• Faith Kwasnik, University of Scranton
• Jasper Tumboken, Stevens Institute of Technology
• Samantha Thai, Rutgers University
• Michael Natenzon, Rutgers University
• Kaelynn Amodia, Rochester Institute of Technology
• Fiona Lau, Rochester Institute of Technology
• Frank Guadagnino, California State University, Fullerton
• Finn Kliewer, New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Stav Kanza, Rutgers University
• Dilara Kiper, Rutgers Newark
• Jung Hae Joon, University of Florida
• Adriana Kopf, Rutgers Newark
• Mark Sinay, Drew University
• Jason Wu, Penn State

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.