Secaucus High School

Dear SHS Community,

I hope this update finds you well! We are quickly approaching the midpoint of the first marking period, and progress reports will be available in Realtime on October 13. We encourage parents and guardians to take some time to review their child’s progress together. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s school counselor.

On October 14, all sophomores and juniors will take the PSAT, while registered freshmen will also participate in the assessment. Registered seniors will have the opportunity to take the SAT during the school day. Students who are not participating in testing will engage in college and career readiness activities. Freshmen will meet with their school counselors for a "Why Ninth Grade Matters" presentation and a review of the Program of Studies and Naviance. Seniors will work on completing college applications, college essays, and financial aid forms.

Congratulations to this year’s Homecoming Court, who celebrated last night at our annual Homecoming Dance! It was a wonderful evening filled with school spirit, celebration, and memorable moments.

Pictured from left to right: Ansh Rajwani, Lucas Rodriguez, Connor Michalkovich, Zachary Youn, Jason Leppin, Lilliana Tango, Isabella Pablos, Elizabeth Aquino, Ava Krajewski, and Sarah Veloz.

A special thank-you to our PTSA for sponsoring this special event and to our SGO Advisor, Ms. Samantha Cohn, for helping make the evening a success.

On September 25, during the varsity volleyball team’s victory over Cresskill, senior setter Sarah Veloz etched her name into Secaucus volleyball history. With her 1,496th career assist, Sarah broke the school record for most assists in a career, surpassing the mark previously held by assistant coach Kendall Caruso, Class of 2015.
Sarah’s accomplishment is a reflection of years of dedication, leadership, and a commitment to her teammates. As a setter, she has played a pivotal role in the success of the Patriots, consistently putting her teammates in a position to succeed while leading by example both on and off the court. Her ability to make those around her better is what makes this record especially fitting.
Following the match, Kendall had the opportunity to officially “pass the crown” to Sarah, celebrating the continuation of a legacy from one generation of Patriots to the next.
Congratulations to Sarah Veloz on this incredible accomplishment and on becoming the all-time career assists leader in Secaucus volleyball history! We cannot wait to see how high she takes the record.

In related news, congratulations to Head Volleyball Coach Dylan Caruso for being named NJSIAA State Coach of the Year for the 2025-2026 season!

On October 7th, the Secaucus Girls Varsity Soccer team faced Harrison at Sports Illustrated Stadium in a hard-fought match. The Patriots battled from start to finish, showing tremendous heart, determination, and team effort against a tough Harrison squad. Julia Pozo found the back of the net twice, while Ava Illuzzi added a goal of her own.

Our Class of 2027 had an incredible Senior Success Week from September 28–October 2! Throughout the week, seniors participated in a variety of events designed to help them feel informed, prepared, and excited about life after high school.

Students kicked off the week with our Senior College Planning Presentation, followed by a College Essay Writing Workshop where they gained valuable tips for telling their stories and making their applications stand out. Our College Application Boot Camp provided hands-on support as students worked through the application process.

The week continued with a College & Career Panel, giving students the opportunity to hear directly from college representatives and professionals about programs, careers, and opportunities beyond high school. Our evening College and Career Fair was another tremendous success, with students and families connecting with over 55 colleges, universities, and other post-secondary opportunities. The three informative workshops were well-attended and a lot of fun!

We also hosted a Virtual Financial Aid Night, providing families with important information about the FAFSA, scholarships, and planning for the cost of college. The week wrapped up with a creative College Vision Board Activity, encouraging students to dream big, set goals, and envision their future.

Senior Success Week was truly a celebration of planning, preparation, and possibility! We are incredibly proud of our seniors and grateful to everyone who helped make the week such a meaningful and successful experience.

The Patriot Pop-Up Shop is a School-Based Enterprise - a small student-run business that provides hands-on learning in marketing, finance, and management while serving the needs of our school community. We are working hard to restock and hope to have more sweatshirts and T-shirts back in stock next week! Additional approved vendors can be found on the school website and in the student handbook. Students may also purchase school approved items through school clubs and athletics.

School Uniform items can be purchased in traditionally approved stores as well as our school store and on the Patriot Pop Up Shop website. Please be reminded that our school store is student-run and overseen by our business teacher, Ms. Chisari, who has done a wonderful job making the purchasing of uniform items convenient for parents and students. Please remember that we are a small operation and patience is appreciated.

As always, please reach out to me with any questions.

Best regards,

Steve Viggiani

Secaucus High School Principal