A Hoboken High School Success Story: Princeton Graduate Jared Ramos

By Dennis Sevano

HOBOKEN, NJ — The 1990s at Hoboken High School produced baseball and football teams that captured multiple county and state titles. Both sports caught the attention and praise from county, state and national outlets and propelled the school into USA ranking standing.

On the academic side, in 1992 the central office and high school personnel applied to adopt the International Baccalaureate as part of the secondary course of study. After a rigorous process, the highly respected IB curricula was approved by the New York City field office of scholars for implementation in the 1993-1994 academic year.

A number of Hoboken High School teachers received in-service training from IB specialists, and the new courses enhanced learning as well and bolstered student resumes in the college application and admissions process.

The combination of rigorous curricula and athletic opportunity attracted many potential scholar athletes. From Demarest, Calabro, and Brandt schools surfaced Jared Ramos.

His parents were part of the Puerto Rican influence in the Mile-Square City and were Hoboken High School graduates. Jared expresses appreciation to have had highly proficient teachers from various schools in Hoboken, including but not limited to Bill Miller, Margaret Singalese, Merry Naddeo, and John Lavignino.

He also praises the supportive Hoboken High School administrator Charlie Tortorella, who clearly recalls the meaningful support Jared received from both of his parents. Also in the mix were the late Frank Spano and former Superintendent Edwin Duroy.

In addition to the highly qualified staff, Ramos appreciated learning and growing alongside fellow students Xiao En Fang, Juan Bonilla, Kimberly Kwendar, Yaharia Feliberty, Ruben Gonzalez, Roxana Acosta, Lenny Averoff and William Wannamker.

Accepted To Two Ivies

The combination of supportive parents and nurturing companionship encouraged Jared as he assumed the role of Honor Society President. He earned an internship at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, and became part of the Stevens Technical Enrichment Program, which provided young Jared a glimpse at college level life finding time in chorus, band and sketching too.

Jared ranked of third in his class behind Xiao and Kimberly. His academic achievement, which included a 1420 SAT score, secured acceptances to Syracuse, Cornell and Princeton.

In 1997 he accepted a full scholarship to Jersey’s Ivy League school and earned his Princeton degree in 2001. His pathway took him to San Diego, where he worked as a graphic designer. Jared returned to his Jersey roots to finish his Masters in educational administration at St. Peter’s University.

Eventually, he came full circle and taught at Hoboken High School as an IB instructor and headed many theater productions at the middle and high school level over the years.

During his free time, Jared made several trips to Latin America and a sense of calling became prevalent in his life. Meeting Viviana Fusaro in Guatemala, who holds a Bachelor’s degrees in French and Italian and a Master of Fine Arts in acting, their careers and devoted faith were realized and resulted in marriage.

The idea of a theater company and commitment to a Christian schooling became a reality in Puerto Rico. Vivian and Jared are parents to twins Olivia and Joshua and their sister Emma. They continue to run The Well Center for the Arts, which now offers classes in the arts as well as theater production on the island.

Shaped by living and growing up Hoboken’s Church Towers and the journey through the Mile Square schools as a student and then teacher, Jared was led to and continues to make a difference by combining his faith, creativity, and commitment to his community.

This story was written by Dennis Sevano. The views expressed here are the author's own.