Panther News

This week, Cedar Grove High School paused to honor and reflect upon the legacy of September 11, 2001. We were deeply fortunate on Tuesday to welcome former FDNY Deputy Chief of EMS Mr. Cassidy, who shared his personal experience as a first responder in New York City during the 9/11 attacks. His message was truly profound—focusing not just on the tragedy, but on the extraordinary heroism, humanity, and quiet kindness that people showed to one another in the days and weeks that followed. His story reminded our students of the strength found in unity and compassion. Following the assembly, students gathered to plant flags on school grounds in remembrance of the 2,977 lives lost on September 11th.

Building on that powerful morning, our annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony took place today. We extend our sincere gratitude to Firefighter Donlon for his hard work in organizing today's ceremony, as well as the Cedar Grove Fire Department, all of the local first responders present to support our school, the Board of Education, Mayor Joseph Maceri, and Superintendent Dr. Peter Turnamian for working together to ensure our students truly Never Forget.

We also want to recognize our Student Ambassadors who spoke so eloquently during the service, as well as the CGHS Choir and Choir Advisor Ms. Jessen for their moving rendition of "America My Home," which set a deeply respectful tone for the morning.

Thank you to all of our guests, staff, and students for honoring this solemn day with such grace.

• Monday, Sept 21: School Closed (Yom Kippur)

• Tuesday, Sept 22: Senior Parent Night (7:00 PM)

Cedar Grove High School is thrilled to announce that seniors Timothy Antony and Kevin Guan have been named Semifinalists in the 72nd Annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

This extraordinary distinction places Timothy and Kevin among the highest-scoring high school seniors in New Jersey and the nation. Over 1.3 million students across more than 21,000 high schools entered the program by taking the PSAT/NMSQT, and less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors earn Semifinalist status. Earning a spot at this level reflects not only rare academic talent, but also years of sustained commitment, intellectual discipline, and rigorous study.

Both Timothy and Kevin now have the opportunity to continue in the competition for nearly 7,000 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million, which will be offered next spring. Beyond their remarkable standardized testing achievement, both students represent the spirit of CGHS through their leadership, coursework, and dedication to excellence.

Cedar Grove High School is proud to announce that seniors Kerem Orhan, Rahul Solanki, and Ethan Hartman have been named Commended Students in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.

This prestigious recognition is awarded to students who demonstrated exceptional academic promise by scoring among the top 50,000—out of more than 1.5 million entrants nationwide—on the PSAT/NMSQT. Being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation is a true testament to Kerem, Rahul, and Ethan's extraordinary dedication, intellectual curiosity, and hard work, as well as the support of their families and teachers.

On Thursday, Cedar Grove High School held its annual Club Fair, and the energy in the room was contagious! CGHS students turned out to explore the wide array of co-curricular opportunities, student organizations, and interest clubs available this year. From academic honor societies and creative arts to service groups and cultural clubs, there was truly something for everyone to get involved in.

Getting involved in school activities is one of the best ways to build community, develop leadership skills, and create lasting memories. We are thrilled by the incredible turnout and enthusiasm from our student body, and we can’t wait to see all that our clubs accomplish throughout the upcoming year!

What a night for Cedar Grove High School! The energy in the student section during our first home football game was absolutely electric. A huge thank you goes out to our Pep Club and student leaders for organizing such a fantastic Red, White, and Blue theme—the stands were a sea of school pride and patriotism from kickoff to the final whistle.

To our incredible Panthers- your enthusiasm and energy set the tone for our athletes and the entire community. Let’s keep this momentum going! We encourage all students to bring that same high-level spirit to our other fall athletic events, arts performances, and school activities throughout the year.

Go Panthers!

College visits will begin the week of September 22nd at CGHS.

Check out the list of schools in Naviance. Students must register for

each visit at least one day prior in order to obtain a Smart Pass to attend.

Please reach out to your counselor or Mrs. Hampson with any questions.

Below are the links to Mrs. Pontidis and Mr. Sweeney’s calendars. Please use the appropriate calendar to schedule a meeting with your school counselor.

You may book as many appointments as you need throughout the year. We encourage you to schedule meetings whenever you have questions or need support with your senior-year planning.

On the day of your meeting, please bring your fully charged Chromebook with you.

Thank you, and we look forward to meeting with you!

Your School Counselors

Mrs. Pontidis: Senior Meetings

Mr. Sweeney: Senior Meeting