PARK RIDGE, N.J.—Immaculate Heart Academy swimming standout Taylor Whang accepted a borough’s thanks Sept. 24 for heroic action at this summer at her lifeguard job at the Park Ridge Municipal Pool.
According to a proclamation from Mayor Keith Misciagna and the Borough Council, Whang, a junior who has worked as a lifeguard here for the past two years, saved the life of a young man in distress at the pool.
Also Sept. 24, the mayor and council honored the Park Ridge Athletic Association Spring Kinderkamack Softball League, Summer Travel Bergen County Girls Softball League, and PRAA Allendale Summer Sizzle 3rd/4th Girls Softball League champs.
The governing body also swore in Police Lt. James Babcock and Fire Cadet Vahak Hanessian.
They also presented the William D. Diedtrich Memorial Award to Robert A. Ludwig and recognized Ludwig and James R. Babcock, both former chiefs, for 50 years of service to the Volunteer Fire Department.
The mayor and Borough Council established the William D. Diedtrich Award in 2011 to recognize volunteer emergency service providers from the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Police Reserves, Volunteer Fire Department, and Office of Emergency Management.
Ludwig has been a member of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department since 1969. During his 50 years of service he was an officer for more than 14 years, six of which as chief.
President of the Park Ridge Firemen’s Welfare Association, Ludwig was appointed to the Board of Public Works in 1986, where during his 31 years of service he served twice as president.
The council noted he was a member of the Park Ridge Fire Prevention Bureau for more than 30 years, where he was responsible for inspecting all commercial and residential buildings in the borough for safety.
Members noted Ludwig has steadfastly and diligently served the citizens of the Borough of Park Ridge in various positions including volunteer fireman, chief of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, fire inspector with the Fire Prevention Bureau, fire subcode inspector, zoning officer, and housing inspector.
“He has unselfishly donated his time in numerous volunteer activities,” the governing body said.
In commending James R. Babcock, the mayor and council said the longtime resident has been a member of the Park Ridge Volunteer Fire Department since 1969. During his 50 years of service he was an officer for more than 14 years, two of which as chief.
Babcock was a charter member of Park Ridge’s Office of Emergency Management, and was deputy coordinator for five years.
He also was a part-time Tri-Boro radio dispatcher and a special officer with the Police Department, and was secretary to the Tri-Boro Fire Association.
He retired from the borough in March 2016, having worked 38 years for the road, sewer, and water departments.
Like Ludwig, he steadfastly and diligently served the citizens of the Borough of Park Ridge in various positions, and selflessly donated his time in numerous volunteer activities.
According to Whang’s proclamation, she was working her summer job as a lifeguard at the Park Ridge Municipal Pool when she saw a young man drowning.
“Because of her steadfast efforts, attentiveness and quick response—along with the pool staff and the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Corps—the young man was rescued and treated for his injuries,” the proclamation reads.
The mayor and council said Whang demonstrated exemplary concern for the life of another and is a shining member of the community.
In the 2018–19 season at IHA, Whang made All-County First-Team, All-League First-Team, and was pivotal on the state-championship winning team.
Certificates for PRAA Spring Kinderkamack Softball and Summer Travel Bergen County Girls Softball went to coach Ken Helman; assistant coaches Jason Roth, Sal Pulvirenti, and Rob Stewart, and Sophia Ciccarelli; and Amanda Cicero, Alexis Helman, Angelina Kuiters, Paige McConville, Abigail McManus, Gianna Pulvirenti, Lindsey Roth, Sarah Santiago, Allison Schwartz, and Erika Stewart.
For PRAA Allendale Summer Sizzle 3rd/4th Grade Girls Softball champs, certificates went to coaches Charles Della Volpe, Chris Vasti, and Shannon Carolan, and Giana Capilli, Aurelia Carolan, Olivia Cook, Danielle Della Volpe, Mia Ferguson, Kayla Iula, Grace McLoughlin, Tori Peirano, Maggie Rauschenberger, Lily Robinson, Ella Schroeder, and Addison Vasti.
