'Let's Rock And Roll': Newcomer Sworn In To Mahwah School Board

MAHWAH, NJ — A new face was sworn in to the Mahwah school board last week after being elected in November.

Christopher Hughes, who defeated incumbent Brett Coplin in a close race last year, took his seat on the dais for the first time during the Jan. 4 reorganization meeting. Hughes was the second-highest vote getter (25.2%) among a field of four candidates vying for three open seats.

"To the good people of Mahwah, I want to thank you for your support throughout the entirety of the election," Hughes said. "Thank you for believing in me and entrusting the responsibility to me to represent you on the Mahwah Board of Education."

The 24-year-old newcomer was congratulated by his colleagues on his new leadership role.

"Chris, we are glad to have you here," said trustee Benjamin Kezmarsky, who was selected unanimously by the board to be second vice president. "It is good to see a young guy get into the mix and to have another Mahwah High School graduate on the dais."

Hughes said he appreciated the "warm welcome" and guidance his fellow board members have provided to ensure his transition was as smooth as possible.

"I look forward to working with everyone here," Hughes said, "and I think we are going to do a lot of good for Mahwah public schools."

Board members Prema Moorthy and Richard DeSilva, who were re-selected unanimously as president and first vice president, respectively, also said they look forward to working with Hughes and the rest of the board in the days and months ahead.

"I am humbled and grateful to have been selected by my colleagues to serve another year as president of this amazing group of individuals," said Moorthy, who was re-elected in November with 24.98% of the vote. "To be given the opportunity to provide leadership to our board for another year excites me greatly."

Moorthy assured that 2023 would be a great year for Mahwah students.

"Let's rock and roll," Hughes said, expressing optimism about the new year.