A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the reopening of the newly renovated Joseph A. Mondoro Auditorium, which has been transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, was held at South Plainfield High School on Thursday night.
The event culminated months of planning and skilled craftsmanship, resulting in the installation of a new sound system, curtain, video screen, carpeting, flooring, cushioned seats, lighting, and renovations to the stage, all fittingly dressed in the school’s official colors.
Video: Please click here to watch highlights of the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
A well-scripted program, featuring prominent alumni as guest speakers and musical performances from students and graduates, spanned six decades dating back to the current high school’s opening in the 1970s.
The event provided a tapestry of images and memories that resonated with attendees of all ages through a walk down memory lane that also offered a glimpse of the future.
The program centered around a video slideshow highlighting social, cultural, and historical events across the country and globe for each decade. South Plainfield High School’s achievements in the arts, athletics and other extracurricular activities through the years were recounted and yearbook flashbacks were also displayed. All were fittingly set to the backdrop of music from each era.
Video: Please click here to watch a video replay of the entire ribbon-cutting ceremony.
School Board President Pio Pennisi (‘70s), Borough Council President Christine Faustini (‘80s), Mayor Matthew Anesh (‘90s), High School Principal John Foscolo (‘00s), Board of Education Member Divon Pender (‘10s) and High School Student Council President Sarah Jadallah (‘20s) narrated the journey through time. All except Jadallah, who will graduate this spring, are alumni of the high school.
“A wonderful program for the evening skillfully connected the past with the present and creatively showcased the talents of South Plainfield’s gifted performers amid the backdrop of the high school’s newly renovated state-of-the-art auditorium,” said Senator Patrick Diegnan, a South Plainfield alumnus and member of the high school’s hall of fame.
“As a graduate and lifelong borough resident, I could not be prouder of our district and entire school community, both of which will immensely benefit from this outstanding cultural centerpiece. Congratulations to all for their efforts in making these renovations come to fruition and for providing attendees with a memorable program that spanned the decades from the school’s opening in 1974 to today.”
The auditorium will continue to host ceremonies, award presentations, concerts, musicals, plays, summer drama workshops, and other events while simultaneously serving the entire school district and community.
The school district’s commitment to the arts creates important opportunities for students of all ages, augmenting their academic experience and positively impacting their social-emotional wellbeing while bringing the borough together in celebration.
“The South Plainfield school district is committed to cultivating the talent of our wonderful students,” Superintendent of Schools Dr. Noreen Tansey said.
“As you know, South Plainfield has always been committed to introducing music and song at an early age and continues to grow our program from elementary up through the high school. You can tell by the wonderful performances you heard here this evening with our band, chorus, and orchestra.
“Having a performing arts facility that allows our students the ability to really showcase their talent with the proper lighting, with the proper sound, only enhances the experience for the audience, creating yet another opportunity for our students to shine.”
The evening featured live performances from graduates and current high school students under the direction of William Haughwout (band), Sarah LiVecchi (orchestra) and Dr. Donna Kregler (chorus).
The band played Earth, Wind, and Fire’s “September,” the orchestra performed Coldplay’s “Viva La Vita,” and the choir sang Sara Bareilles’ “I Choose You.”
South Plainfield alumnus Dominick Licciardone performed an acoustic version of Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again.” Fellow graduate Patrick Sarullo, sporting his old varsity baseball jacket, joined him on stage with his guitar for a performance of Nirvana’s “About a Girl.” Both graduates are members of the band Three Piece Nugget.
“Just being here brought back so many memories,” said Pennisi, who graduated when the current high school opened in 1974. “To be able to see the yearbook photos and just the connection of everything was just tremendous. The district really is the center of this town and all the support over the years we’ve been getting, especially since Noreen’s been here is terrific. She has an idea and just stay out of her way because it’s always a great one. She just brings the community together. What I saw tonight was tremendous. It just bridged everybody together.”
Pennisi said the auditorium underwent improvements and changes in piecemeal over the years, but the massive overhaul unveiled Thursday night was a stunning contrast to the former venue.
“With guidance from our (business administrators) and Noreen and the board (of education) we were able to fund this for our arts. It’s just a tremendous centerpiece, as you could see tonight.”
Teachers Chris Cassio and Lori Parisi collaborated on the video production, painstakingly selecting powerful historical images and yearbook photos to reflect each year in every featured decade, much to the delight of attendees, including members of the school board, borough council, district administration, faculty, staff, students and families.
“I always hear the saying that we have a sense of South Plainfield Tiger pride and coming here tonight you really see it,” Pender said. “It means the world that this is what years of hard work have come to for the success of our students and the success of our town. I’m just so grateful, honored and blessed to be a part of all this.”
The evening concluded with the house lights on and all in the auditorium joining together to sing Harry Styles’ “As it Was.”
The lyrics “you know it’s not the same as it was” were certainly apropos for the stunningly gorgeous auditorium and the myriad changes South Plainfield has experienced as a school-community over decades.
“I can’t wait to see,” Diegnan said, “what the future holds for the Joseph A. Mondoro Auditorium.”
Senator Patrick Diegnan 