Hall of Fame Offers Tribute to a Hero

The annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Watchung Hills Regional offers a chance for students to praise former teachers, and teachers to praise former students; sometimes, former classmates can share praise among each other.

And while Friday's annual ceremony including all of these, it was highlighted by an emotional recalling of inductee Matthew Kantor's accomplishments and honors by his father.

Kantor, who was praised for "giving his all" in class and on the cross country team by teacher Chris Gibson, dropped out of college after only a few weeks to enlist in the U.S. Navy in pursuit of his dream of becoming a member of the elite SEALs.

He succeeded where all but a very few fail, and became a member of the Navy SEAL team five. The Long Hill native became a communications specialist, and earned the Purple Heart, Navy Commendation Medal and the Bronze Star after he was killed making a heroic charge at enemy combatants firing on his convoy in Afghanistan on Nov. 1, 2012. 

"Matt was a true American hero, and this is why I believe you gave him and he deserves this honor tonight," Kenneth Kantor, his father, said, receiving a standing ovation from the audience and other inductees.

The ceremony also included inductees Tom DiGanci, a longtime hstory teacher and former principal, and former English Literature teacher Joseph Battiato praised by former students and fellow inductees Matthew Kratt and Robert Oppenheim; teachers Tina Cecala and Lawrence von Beidel honored by their children, Corrine and Chris, respectively.