By: Dennis DiLorenzo

The Walter T. Bergen Middle School in Bloomingdale held its annual Career Day on
Monday June 3. Representatives from 25 different career areas conducted simulated job interviews with the 8th grade students, and later held small group sessions with students from all grades. At the same time, officers from the Passaic County Sheriff’s Department Canine Unit, Mounted Patrol and Crime Scene Investigation Unit conducted demonstrations outside on the blacktop for fifth and sixth grade students.

Eighth grade Language Arts students researched individual careers for a term paper, and their teachers Linda Reese and Tom Bohn, worked with them on such topics as resume writing and interviewing skills. All the practice came together on Career Day when the students, “dressed for success” participated in as many as four simulated job interviews.

Career Day is a longtime tradition at the Bergen School, dating back to at least 1980.
Dennis DiLorenzo who has been Career Day Coordinator for the last several years, believes this year’s edition was one of the best. “The kids, once they overcame their initial nervousness, really got into it. Their enthusiasm was amazing!”

Career Day 2019 attendees included Chief Joseph Borell, Police Chief Bloomingdale Police Department, Monica Galiano, Children’s Librarian Bloomingdale Public Library, Jennifer Ellis Realtor Home Sweet Home Enterprises, Meg Gray, Physical Therapist Atlantic Health Services, Hayley Wolosz, Director Smiling Rhino Theater, Carianne Reeber, Banker Lakeland Bank, George Roskos. Music Architekt, Lori Villa, Event Planner Englewood Hospital, Marco A. Iglesia, Personal Trainer Infinity Fitness, Karen Husser, Educator Bloomingdale Board of Education, Kerriden Trusheim, Educator Bloomingdale Board of Education, Jana Corna, Surgical Nurse Chilton Hospital, Elizabeth Smith, Child Care Worker Bloomingdale Day Care, Rachel Lees, Mental Health Professional New Bridge Services, Vincent DiGerolomo, Sales Manager Precision Overhead Doors, Det.Louis Trentacost, Crime Scene Investigator Passaic County Sheriff’s Dept., Det. Matthew Lasala, Crime Scene Investigator Passaic County Sheriff’s Dept., Brian Madsen, Finance Lord Abbett, Star Ermilio, Chef, George Peirce, Photographer Informative Home Inspections, Debbie DuHaime, TV/Radio Channel 7 WABC, Josephine Guthrie, Cosmetologist, Ernie Mezey, Victim’s Advocate Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, Sgt. Joseph Knece, U.S. Army and Jeff Merlino, Lawyer.