Rhonda Rampola
Posted: Thu May 19, 2005 10:35 pmFive distinguished alumni will be inducted into the first-ever Sayreville War Memorial High School Hall of Fame Saturday night.
But for Edwin Kolodziej, one of the inductees, it’s not just about honoring the people — it’s recognition for a once small industrial town that has come so far as to warrant something like this in the first place.
“In 1943, if we had three people go to college it was a lot,†said Kolodziej, a 1943 high school graduate who went on to be a local attorney and to serve as a New Jersey state assemblyman. “This is a compliment to the citizens and teachers of this community.â€
When Kolodziej graduated, the high school was still located at the current Wilson Elementary School building on Dane Street. At 80 years old, Kolodziej is the oldest inductee of the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The induction ceremony will be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Jernee Mill Road.
Kolodziej will be joined by 1970 graduate Barry Albin, an associate justice to the New Jersey Supreme Court; Rhonda Rampola, class of 1978, head coach of women’s basketball for Southern Methodist University, Dallas; Michael Wasko, class of 1982, a school principal and former U.S. Olympic team member for bobsledding; and current Democratic state Assemblyman John Wisniew-ski, from the class of 1980.
Wasko is the youngest being inducted into the high school Hall of Fame.
But for Edwin Kolodziej, one of the inductees, it’s not just about honoring the people — it’s recognition for a once small industrial town that has come so far as to warrant something like this in the first place.
“In 1943, if we had three people go to college it was a lot,†said Kolodziej, a 1943 high school graduate who went on to be a local attorney and to serve as a New Jersey state assemblyman. “This is a compliment to the citizens and teachers of this community.â€
When Kolodziej graduated, the high school was still located at the current Wilson Elementary School building on Dane Street. At 80 years old, Kolodziej is the oldest inductee of the inaugural Hall of Fame class.
The induction ceremony will be held at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post on Jernee Mill Road.
Kolodziej will be joined by 1970 graduate Barry Albin, an associate justice to the New Jersey Supreme Court; Rhonda Rampola, class of 1978, head coach of women’s basketball for Southern Methodist University, Dallas; Michael Wasko, class of 1982, a school principal and former U.S. Olympic team member for bobsledding; and current Democratic state Assemblyman John Wisniew-ski, from the class of 1980.
Wasko is the youngest being inducted into the high school Hall of Fame.
