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Special Awards and
Below is a comprehensive list of special award recipients recognized by the organization. Additionally, an archive of Music Awards Programs is available for download and viewing below.
Awards Dinner Programs
Awards Dinner Programs
NMBA President's Award
NMBA President's Award
The NMBA President’s Award is given to a senior parent who is being recognized for their extraordinary support and dedication to Music Boosters and the music students of Nutley.
2024 - Ambar Orr
2023 - Michael Ritacco
2022 - Dan Holler
2021 - Kim and John Redstone
2020 - Deborah Sholander
2019 - Rich Harzer
Student Awards
Student Awards
John Philip Sousa "Outstanding Contribution to Band" Award
John Philip Sousa "Outstanding Contribution to Band" Award
The John Philip Sousa Award is a nationwide award that is given out to a senior that has shown superior musicianship, dependability, loyalty and cooperation to the NHS Raider Band. Recipient’s names are engraved on a plaque in the Music Department hallway.
2024 - Isabella Gustoso
2023 - Caroline Ritacco
2022 - Roger Dieterle and Ethan Ramos
2021 - Victoria Alameda, Meredith Carson and Isabella Rivera
2019 - Thais Jimenez
2018 - Charles Scorsone
2017 - Amy Ciminnisi and Anthony Salimbene
2016 - Catherine Rubens
2015 - Nicholas Cela and Cierra Fedell
2014 - Aiden Braun and Jacquelyn Kueken
2013 - Dan Hutabarat and Michelle Mayrer
2012 - Ashley Haas and Steven Nowakowski
2011 - Nicole Costa
2010 - Karl Gilbert and Yuka Sakai
2009 - Jonathan Konel and Julia Sinitsky
2008 - Kara Cuadra and Kimberly Lovejoy
2007 - Liza Pagano
2006 - Mark Russo
2005 - George Blazeski and Vincent Vicchiariello
2004 - Salvatore Scarpelli
2003 - Emily Griesbach
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
The Louis Armstrong Award is given out to the top senior Jazz performer in the NHS Jazz Band program. Recipient’s names are engraved on a plaque in the Music Department hallway.
2024 - Rachelle Bonilla
2023 - Ben Coulson
2022 - Dorian Wylde
2021 - Kai Madrazo and Luke Surretsky
2019 - Evan Harzer and Anthony Meola
2018 - Eduardo Machado
2017 - Ian Frobose
2016 - Michael Bereski and Robert Remuzska
2015 - Luca Farrell
2014 - Patrick Dudaski and John Salimbene
2013 - Zachariah Callouri
2012 - Richard Reyes
2011 - Ryan Fitzmaurice and Michael Rilli
2010 - Peter Jones and Tim Larigan
2008 - Oscar Rodriguez and Michael Rombola
2007 - Andrew Wong
2006 - Mark Kilianski and Corrado Rizzi
2005 - Mark Sost
2004 - Keith Burton and Justin Hernandez
2003 - Kyle Burton
The National Choral Award
The National Choral Award
The National Choral Award is the highest honor for high school choral performers. It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the top choral students. Recipient’s names are engraved on a plaque in the Music Department hallway.
2024 - Alexis Hamlin
2023 - Arada Buddhani
Michael R. Rubinstein Observance Award
Michael R. Rubinstein Observance Award
Michael Rubinstein was a student in the instrumental music program. The Michael R. Rubinstein Observance Award was created to honor the qualities that Michael possessed: Ambition, Benevolence, Cooperation, Courtesy, Generosity, Humor and Forgiveness. The recipient of this award is a student that stands out by continually demonstrating the ability to contribute qualities that benefit not only our instrumental program but the entire Music Program. Recipient’s names are engraved on a plaque in the Music Department hallway.
2024 - Emily Ruthman
2023 - Anthony Del Tufo, Gabriella Gigante & Hamsini Radhakrishnan
2022 - Diana Mendoza-Zavala
2021 - Samantha Daly, Amanda McCullough & Angeline Ortiz
2019 - Nicholas Ferraioli & Keya Patel
2018 - Natalie Menich & Laraib Zaheer
2017 - Natalie Menich
2016 - Anthony Costa
2015 - Marlena Cugliari
2014 - Monica Figueras
2013 - Jaqueline Kueken
2012 - Christopher Cela
2011 - Evan Patoray
Mr. John J. Vitkovsky Award
Mr. John J. Vitkovsky Award
This award is meant to recognize the traits that Mr. Vitkovsky had displayed during his career here at Nutley High School. These would be: Performance, Excellence, Consistency, Dedication, Work Ethic, and going above the normal call of duty. The student who receives this award meets and exceed these traits. Recipient’s names are engraved on a plaque in the Music Department hallway.
2024 - Rebecca Caporaso
2023 - Uriel Concepcion
2022 - Jessica Diaz and Brendan Gaschke
2021 - Douglas Campbell, Anna Rabbia and Kimberly Rivera
2019 - Yawen Xu
2018 - Daphne Silva and Emely Chavez
2017 - John O'Brien and Zachary Vaporis
2016 - Rosa Melendez and Keya Patel
2014 - Sabrina Lopez and Brandon O'Brien
2013 - Christopher Cela and Richard Martinez
2012 - Stefanie Alfonso and Michael Tilley
National Orchestra Award
National Orchestra Award
The National Orchestra Award is the highest honor for high school orchestra performers. It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement of the top orchestra students. Recipient’s names are engraved on a plaque in the Music Department hallway.
2024 - Jizelle Dancel
2023 - Sarah Nugiel
2022 - Jillian Juat
2021 - Meghan Tran
2019 - Micaela Mengen
2018 - Shawna Lewis
2017 - Katerina Robles
2016 - Patrick McDermott
2015 - Phelan Yu
2014 - Byeong (Dan) Son
2013 - Carla Manzella
2012 - Jared Lin
William T. Verost "Most Improved Marcher Award"
William T. Verost "Most Improved Marcher Award"
William (Bill) Verost was a drill writer for the NHS Raider Band. During his time with the program, he wrote many original shows for the program including a Civil War and a Circus Show. Unfortunately, Mr. Verost died at a young age and in his honor, the William T. Verost “Most Improved Marcher” Award is given to a Raider Band member that has improved their marching skills throughout the course of the year. Recipient’s names are engraved on a plaque in the Music Department hallway.
2023 - Ricky Evans
2022 - Kaelynn Ross
2021 - Sydney Chang and Gabriella Gigante
2019 - Roger Dieterle, Katelyn Fitzpatrick and Aidan Scarpelli
2018 - Emma Thayer and Nievan Urbano
2017 - Ava Demerjian and Caitlyn Yozzo
2016 - Rose Melendez and Ava Demerjian
2015 - Jordan Woods
2014 - Thomas Burrow
2013 - Alexa Majana
2012 - David Jeong
2011 - Andrew Roberts
2010 - Christopher Cela
2009 - Danielle Ciminnisi
2008 - Karl Gilbert and Irina Samalia
2007 - Julia Brindisi
2006 - William Bain
2005 - Brian Bain
2004 - Henry Meola
2003 - Christopher Georgetti
2002 - George Blazeski
2001 - George Blazeski
2000 - Heather Greiss
1999 - Chris Peterson
1998 - Nicholas VanDorn
1997 - Marco Moreno
1996 - Lisa Turano
1995 - Andre Ledgister
1994 - Sharon Caplan
1993 - Paul Samuelson
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