2025 ANNUAL AWARDS GALA
WEDNESDAY APRIL 30, 2025 RECEPTION AND DINNER 6:00 PM
NANINA’S IN THE PARK 540 MILL ST. BELLEVILLE, NJ
$125 Guests 21 and over
PLATED DINNER
BEER, WINE AND SOFT DRINKS
$75 Guests 12 – 20
$35 Guests 5 – 11 (age 4 and under free)
RSVP by April 16, 2025
Honoring:
(click names for bios)
Coach Pat Brunner
Basketball Coach Pat Brunner amassed 320 career victories including 209 with the Bengals. The 2016-2017 Sectional Championship team was the first for Bloomfield in forty years. While a Track Assistant he contributed to the Bengals 2010 Sectional Title.
Bob Fetterly – Class of 1971
A member of the Bengals 1971 Group IV Champion Basketball team, Bob has made a profound impact on the athletic program through his generosity and mentorship. A founder of The Bloomfield Educational Foundation – his legacy as an athlete and visionary are insured.
Jermain Johnson – Class of 1991
An All-Essex Football star at BHS, Jermain played collegiately at Montclair State University – earning All-NJAC honors and being named a DIII All-American. He played professionally in the Arena Football League. Jermain is currently Head Football Coach at Montclair High School.
Dr. Desiree McGhie Lambo – Class of 1998
Desiree earned a school record 12 varsity letters in High School – excelling in Soccer, Basketball, and Softball. She was a member of the Essex County Championship Teams in all three sports. Desiree played College Softball at St. Joe’s University in Philadelphia
Michelle Reilly – Class of 1998
Remarkably, Michelle graduated BHS in the top five in career goals in Soccer and total hits in Softball. She too played on County Championship teams in three sports: Soccer, Basketball and Softball.
Anthony Sarno – Class of 1981
Anthony won seven games as a Senior striking out 122 batters. In defeat he may have had his greatest performance as he pitched all 12 innings in a one run decision to Belleville in the Greater Newark Tournament. Drafted by the New York Yankees he teamed with Al Leiter on the pitching staff at Oneonta in the New York-Penn League.
Kristjan Sokoli – Class of 2010
An All-County and All-Group IV selection in Football, Kristjan accepted a Football Scholarship to the University of Buffalo. He was an NFL draft pick, playing for the Seahawks and Colts. In Track and Field Kristjan won a total of five County or Sectional individual Championships in the Discus and Shot Put. He was a two-time State place winner in the Discus.
and
BEF 2025 Educator of the Year, Joseph V. Fleres, MA
Joe is the Bloomfield School District Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, PK-12. He began his career with Bloomfield as a teacher, a position he held for almost 8 years. He then served for five years as Brookdale Elementary School’s Principal, and went on to become the Supervisor (K-6) of ESL and then Director of Elementary Education. For the past six years, Joe has been the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, a position which he has infused with energy and positive problem solving. Joe earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees from Caldwell University and is a sought after presenter at numerous local, county, state, national conferences & local universities on such topics as educational leadership, a truly inclusive special education setting, and successful integrated technology.
2025 District Teacher of the Year
To be announced!
