Last month, Oakcrest's in-house band, Pop Quiz, performed at Cabaret Night for its annual reunion show. This group of teacher-musicians brought the house down with their renditions of hits by Alanis Morissette, The Rolling Stones, and Sabrina Carpenter. Make sure to request an autograph from...
🎸 Guitarist and business teacher Tony Ponzetti
🎤 Vocalist and special education teacher Colleen Kennedy
🎸 Bassist and English teacher Ed Clark
🥁 Drummer and school psychologist Dr. Vince Caiazzo
🎤 Vocalist and drama teacher Brianna Langhurst and...
🎤 ...on her farewell tour, soon-to-be-retired English teacher Kim Tunney!
Rock on, Falcons! 🤘💙🤘
🎸 Guitarist and business teacher Tony Ponzetti
🎤 Vocalist and special education teacher Colleen Kennedy
🎸 Bassist and English teacher Ed Clark
🥁 Drummer and school psychologist Dr. Vince Caiazzo
🎤 Vocalist and drama teacher Brianna Langhurst and...
🎤 ...on her farewell tour, soon-to-be-retired English teacher Kim Tunney!
Rock on, Falcons! 🤘💙🤘
The Oakcrest Boys' Tennis team had a blast during their recent visit to Princeton University. The group received a tour of the campus's state-of-the-art tennis facilities and then enjoyed some top-notch collegiate sports. Fewer than 2 weeks until the start of the high school season...and Falcon Nation expects big things from this bunch of student athletes! 🎾💙💪
In early March, Oakcrest's Girls' Basketball had the opportunity to attend the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The team had a blast watching all the NCAA playoff action and even got to try their hand at some of the halftime challenges! 🏀⛹️♀️💙
Oakcrest High School continues its participation in the NexTrex Recycling Challenge, collecting plastic packaging around campus. This waste is brought to an official NexTrex recycling partner (specifically the Mays Landing Acme) and then upcycled into extremely durable composite decking material! Oakcrest has prevented 18 pounds of plastic bags from entering landfills thus far this year. Nice job, Falcons! ♻️🌎💙
We here at the Nest love to shout out members of the Falcon Family, including our four-legged friends! Kona the Dalmatian, fur baby of Oakcrest PE teacher Jamie Toy, is a therapy dog, frequent visitor of Oakcrest High School, unofficial mascot of the OHS Field Hockey team...AND famous actress! Kona recently starred in a national TV ad for eBay, so be sure to ask for her paw-tograph if you see her on campus! 🐕🤩🐾
In late February, Oakcrest's Student Council, advised by Jason Hearn and Kaleen Kern, hosted the annual 21 Down Dance, where local students with disabilities were able to gather for music, dancing, food, games, and fun. Thanks to all the staff and students responsible for throwing a memorable event! 💃💘🕺
Falcon Pride Profile: Asiya Mahmud-Class of 2008
Currently serving as the Head Coach of Women's Rowing at the University of Delaware, Asiya's career in crew began at Oakcrest High School as a student where she was named team MVP her senior year and later returned to "The Nest" to begin her coaching career. While a coach at Oakcrest, she received accolades which would propel her into a career in collegiate coaching, joining the staff at Bucknell, US Rowing and Drexel before taking the head rowing coach job at the University of Delaware.
Currently serving as the Head Coach of Women's Rowing at the University of Delaware, Asiya's career in crew began at Oakcrest High School as a student where she was named team MVP her senior year and later returned to "The Nest" to begin her coaching career. While a coach at Oakcrest, she received accolades which would propel her into a career in collegiate coaching, joining the staff at Bucknell, US Rowing and Drexel before taking the head rowing coach job at the University of Delaware.
National School Resource Officer Day is celebrated annually in mid-February, and we here at the Nest took that opportunity to let our SRAOs and Security Guards know how much they're appreciated! Big thanks to Security Guards Erik Carricarte and (not pictured) Shane Barry and to Officers Jim Wilcox and Joe Guerrier for the dedication and professionalism they bring to campus every day. And an extra shout out to Jim Longo and Tasha Cannon of the HTPD for their frequent presence and support! 💙👮👏
Falcon Pride Profiles: Johnny Berchtold-Class of 2012
In his time at Oakcrest, Johnny made use of every opportunity to perform-whether it was on the stage in drama productions, in film class or creating content for his YouTube channel. It was evident from his freshman year that he was destined for the spotlight due to his enthusiasm, dedication to his craft and his creativity. After graduating from Oakcrest, he has appeared in a number of major TV shows and movies performing alongside actors such as Rob Lowe, Patricia Arquette, Alan Ritchson and Julia Roberts.
In his time at Oakcrest, Johnny made use of every opportunity to perform-whether it was on the stage in drama productions, in film class or creating content for his YouTube channel. It was evident from his freshman year that he was destined for the spotlight due to his enthusiasm, dedication to his craft and his creativity. After graduating from Oakcrest, he has appeared in a number of major TV shows and movies performing alongside actors such as Rob Lowe, Patricia Arquette, Alan Ritchson and Julia Roberts.
Big congrats to Sofia Robles-Torres, whose play won second place at Cape May Stage’s recent Young Playwright’s Awards! Sofia will receive a $250 cash prize, and her script will be performed by professional actors at the Young Playwrights Spotlight during a staged reading on Saturday, May 9 at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse in historic, downtown Cape May! 👏👏👏
Falcon Pride Profile: Matt Pieper-Oakcrest High School Class of 2000
After writing for the school newspaper and leading the morning broadcast of "Falcon TV" as a student reporter, Matt followed his passion for journalism after leaving "The Nest" and went on to graduate from Hofstra University,. Following graduation, Matt worked his way up to the New York news market to eventually find fame as a national news anchor on CBS News, broadcasting the top stories each morning from New York City.
After writing for the school newspaper and leading the morning broadcast of "Falcon TV" as a student reporter, Matt followed his passion for journalism after leaving "The Nest" and went on to graduate from Hofstra University,. Following graduation, Matt worked his way up to the New York news market to eventually find fame as a national news anchor on CBS News, broadcasting the top stories each morning from New York City.
On February 19th, members of Oakcrest's and Absegami's STAR and Interact Clubs proudly participated in Stockton University’s Annual MLK Panel Discussion. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Our Voices, His Vision: A Reflection on Dr. King’s Dream Today,” encouraged students to reflect on how Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy continues to inspire action, leadership, and unity in our communities.
A special shout-out goes to student panelists Ahkirah Ali (OHS Junior and President of the Atlantic City NAACP Youth Council) and Enangelly Pena (AHS Senior). Both students demonstrated confidence, insight, and excellence while in the spotlight.
And a big round of applause to all the participating students for representing GEHRHSD with leadership and purpose! 💙👏💛
A special shout-out goes to student panelists Ahkirah Ali (OHS Junior and President of the Atlantic City NAACP Youth Council) and Enangelly Pena (AHS Senior). Both students demonstrated confidence, insight, and excellence while in the spotlight.
And a big round of applause to all the participating students for representing GEHRHSD with leadership and purpose! 💙👏💛
Falcon Pride Profile: Cathy Rush-Oakcrest High School Class of 1964
From winning as a young athlete to winning championships as the head coach of Immaculata College, Cathy showed not only Falcon Pride, but resilience throughout her career to overcome the odds and overcome personal health issues . Cathy's story served as inspiration to many female athletes and to the director of the film "The Mighty Macs ", a major motion picture created in 2009 to tell the story of Cathy and the basketball teams she led to national college titles.
From winning as a young athlete to winning championships as the head coach of Immaculata College, Cathy showed not only Falcon Pride, but resilience throughout her career to overcome the odds and overcome personal health issues . Cathy's story served as inspiration to many female athletes and to the director of the film "The Mighty Macs ", a major motion picture created in 2009 to tell the story of Cathy and the basketball teams she led to national college titles.
In late February, Juniors enrolled in Oakcrest's Biomedical Magnet Program capped off their unit on communicable diseases by throwing a Pathogen Party, complete with costumes and themed food! Shout out to Ms. Demark and all the Falcons enrolled in Honors Medical Interventions for planning this memorable curricular celebration! 🥳🦠🤒
March is here! Springs right around the corner! Time to start looking for that summer job! Use the Greater Egg Job to help with you search!
Students enrolled in the Digital Communications magnet program and media classes were joined by students in Sports Management classes as they visited NBA headquarters to see what goes on behind the scenes of the broadcast of a live basketball game. Students in Mr. Thomas and Mr. Wise's classes were also able to meet with professionals working in the associated industries, including Oakcrest alumni and current employee Alana Conti who arranged the visit for Oakcrest.
Swipe to see why Bryanna-Faith Bennett (Oakcrest Class of 2026) thinks the Nest is the best! Bryanna is a valuable member of the Academic and Mock Trial teams and the National Honor Society and captains OHS Rowing. She plans to attend college then law school, after which she'll practice contract and family law. Falcon Nation is lucky to have her! 🚣♀️⚖️💙
Good afternoon -
Oakcrest HS will be open tomorrow, Thursday February 26th, at the normal time. Zero Period will begin promptly at 7:40 am. Tomorrow is an A Day.
Thank you for your patience and allowing the crews from Hamilton Township and AC Electric the time they needed to restore power to our building. Thank you to our Building and Grounds staff for all of their efforts to get Oakcrest's parking lots, walkways, and classrooms ready for school.
We will reach out next week with information regarding these makeup days and an updated calendar. See you tomorrow morning!
Go FALCONS!
Oakcrest HS will be open tomorrow, Thursday February 26th, at the normal time. Zero Period will begin promptly at 7:40 am. Tomorrow is an A Day.
Thank you for your patience and allowing the crews from Hamilton Township and AC Electric the time they needed to restore power to our building. Thank you to our Building and Grounds staff for all of their efforts to get Oakcrest's parking lots, walkways, and classrooms ready for school.
We will reach out next week with information regarding these makeup days and an updated calendar. See you tomorrow morning!
Go FALCONS!
Good afternoon -
Oakcrest high School will be closed on Wednesday, February 25 due to a lack of electricity. If you hear Absegami and Cedar Creek are open, that is accurate, but Oakcrest cannot properly function without full electric, and there are also downed lines / poles in the area that could impact student and staff safety. We have communicated with both local law Enforcement and AC Electric prior to this decision.
We will assess this situation daily, and update the Oakcrest community every day by 4pm. We will share information regarding adjustments to the school calendar next week, when we can look fully at the number of days we will have lost.
We are offering free lunches (cold, to go lunch, including a drink) from 11am-1pm to ALL of our students; students must bring their ID with them and enter the building through the main entrance, under the blue awning. Security will be on hand to allow entrance and monitor. NO individuals will be permitted without their Oakcrest ID.
Thank you
Tonight's Falcon Family spotlight is a little different: we're shouting out two COUSINS that are proud soon-to-be graduates of the Nest. Seniors Gianna Bustamante and Isabella Rosario have made the most of their time at Oakcrest:
💙 Gianna is an active, valuable member of the Marching Ambassadors' color guard team, OHS's Concert Band, and various student government organizations, including the National Honor Society and the Nest's 8th grade shadow program. She is a stellar student who has plans to study business at college.
💙 Bella is in her 4th year of Oak's Biomedical Magnet program. She, too, is a member of the NHS and an 8th grade shadow ambassador. Bella works with the Freshman Transition Program and recently learned to make scarves with the OHS Knitting Club. She will attend college next year to study pediatric nursing.
Congrats to these two for making Falcon Nation (and their extended family) proud!
💙 Gianna is an active, valuable member of the Marching Ambassadors' color guard team, OHS's Concert Band, and various student government organizations, including the National Honor Society and the Nest's 8th grade shadow program. She is a stellar student who has plans to study business at college.
💙 Bella is in her 4th year of Oak's Biomedical Magnet program. She, too, is a member of the NHS and an 8th grade shadow ambassador. Bella works with the Freshman Transition Program and recently learned to make scarves with the OHS Knitting Club. She will attend college next year to study pediatric nursing.
Congrats to these two for making Falcon Nation (and their extended family) proud!
