To the editor:
THERE HAS NOT been much traction on the call to rename the field at Westwood Regional High School for Vito “Pal” Trause since school board policy 7250 had to be changed to allow facilities to be named after non-students or staff.
Now it reads, “A member of the community who has a connection to the school district and has served as a role model in some capacity.”
The policy also states that three years should pass before it is considered, unless there is a two-thirds vote by the Board of Ed in support.
It was officially changed in January and then due to the COVID crisis no further action was taken to name the field after Vito. I reopened it in early November by emailing the superintendent, Dr. Gonzalez. First it had to be brought to the Finance and Facilities Committee, who believe it is in the board’s best interest to wait three years, which would bring this ‘til October 2022 as the first time it could even be voted on.
I believe it is important that the board votes to name the field sooner and bypass the three years. I believe the name change will lose impact if we wait any longer since the majority of the students Vito has impacted will have graduated by then, including me. This is evident since in addition to current students there has been an outpour of support from the most recent graduating classes.
Naming the field after Vito is important to me because he was a role model to me and the inspiration for my Eagle Project, the Township of Washington Veterans Memorial, next to the township library.
Vito, our town’s local hero who passed away on Oct. 31, 2019, cared so much about the Westwood school community, specifically Westwood athletics, for so many years and I believe this is the best way to give back to him.
He attended all sporting events for several decades simply because he enjoyed watching the games and supporting the students and the community he lived in. Not many other schools have a #1 fan as dedicated as Vito was still attending games into his 90s.
As such a devoted fan, he is the only person I can think of who deserves the field to be named after him. The field has been missing a name for all these years and he is the perfect fit. He represents the best in people and is the one and only person who truly deserves this.
For all his support of the students of Westwood High School I believe we must let his legacy live on for future generations and students at Westwood. I believe this is a great way to unite everyone in our community, something that was very special to Vito, and there is widespread support from students, our petition of more than 400 signatures recorded from graduates of the class of 1968 all the way to present students in the class of 2027.
There is also widespread support from both Township and Westwood residents.
Knowing Vito, he always supported the community as he could not only be found in David’s Bagels or at the field but also at various events around town. He was very supportive of the youth in our town.
I remember he came to my veterans memorial site every day I was working on my Eagle project and raved about all the hard work being done by my fellow scouts, volunteers, and me.
The Board of Ed next meets Dec. 17. There has been a call for this to happen since last November and it has been a year without the Westwood Board of Education taking action. It is possible they could vote on the matter at the Dec. 17 board meeting.
I encourage residents of both Township of Washington and Westwood to come speak at this meeting and have their a voice heard. Please consider signing the petition at tinyurl.com/vitotrausefield.
James Stickel
WRHS Class of 2022
Township of Washington