To all CCHS Fans and Supporters:

I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank everyone for the support and generosity you have shown Cedar Creek High School and our students. There is no manner in which a school without community support, or a community without a school to rally around, can achieve individually what is possible when working collectively.

Specifically, the effort given to supporting and recognizing our girls basketball team throughout their march to the New Jersey Group I State Championship was nothing short of epic. I am proud of the relationships already built between Cedar Creek High School programs and the local communities, but what I witnessed over the last three weeks sets the standard to which we must continually aim.

When one looks in the stands at any high school sporting event, you expect to see parents and siblings, some friends of the players, a couple of teachers, and maybe a neighbor or two; not what looked like, sounded like, and felt like an entire community (just ask the people who were turned away from a sold out gym for the sectional championship game). I saw parents of other students, town officials, staff members from local community schools, off-duty emergency personnel, retired educators, and a group of students already recognized from the shore to North Jersey as among the best student-sections in the state!

The commitment made by so many of you peaked Sunday night after the girls’ 50-38 win over Whippany Park in the state final. As I pulled into the Parkway rest stop sometime around 9 p.m., I could not believe my eyes: four fire trucks, five police cars, thirty or more cars filled with cheering supporters, and three fan buses. And that one bus with a basketball team that had brought all these people together.

As the caravan moved through town, with fire and police lights and sirens on, I realized how fortunate we are to have so many people willing to work together to support, promote, and recognize a school’s accomplishment.

For those who brought the fire trucks out on that Sunday night, thank you for the bright-lights and the sound-track to a once-in-a-lifetime ride.

For the police, who provided us with whatever we needed in our own gym, travelled with us without hesitation, and helped make the victory caravan possible, thank you.

For the bus company who just kept asking, “How many buses you want for this game? They’re yours.” Thank you.

For the community members and officials who may not have known a single individual on the team, but had to see “the girls” play, thank you.

For the parents and family members whose own days are no doubt made longer, but a little more exciting, by practices and long trips to away games, thank you.

For a group of students who painted their bodies, strained their vocal chords, and dominated every other student-section who attempted to be heard, thank you.

To the staff who brought their spouses, kids, parents, and friends out to our gym, Williamstown’s gym, and finally the Pine Belt Arena in Tom’s River to show off a little of Cedar Creek, thank you.

Again, I extend a genuine thank you to all who helped in some way make this girls basketball state championship an event, not just a bunch of games. Thank you.

Sincerely,

James M Reina

Principal, Cedar Creek High School