Little Falls, NJ – For the 10th consecutive year, the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center hosted student athletes from member schools of the Super Essex Conference along with their families and coaches for a celebration of the qualities that made Yogi Berra a national treasure. The 39 recipients of the 2022 Yogi Berra Museum Best Teammate Award exemplify the strength of character, sportsmanship and supportive spirit that, though often unheralded, are vital to a team’s success.
“The Best Teammate Award allows us to formally recognize young people who are embodying the positive ideals that Yogi lived by his entire life, both on and off the field,” said Eve Schaenen, the Museum’s Executive Director. “This year is particularly special for us, as it marks the 10th anniversary of our giving this award. And because of Covid, it’s the first time we’re hosting the ceremony in person since 2019. We are very grateful to Investors Foundation for their ongoing support, and to wonderful partners at the SEC for helping us make this experience possible for these 39 exceptional student athletes.”
The winners, selected by their respective athletic departments, enjoyed a celebratory banquet before hearing from special guest speaker Dale Berra, former Major League player and the youngest son of Hall of Famer, Yogi Berra. Berra addressed the 2022 Best Teammate Award recipients in his remarks, stating: “Some teammates are born leaders. They’re just made that way. But those people are very rare. For the rest of us mere mortals, we have to work at it. You put in the work. And if you put in the work, it will serve you now, and in the future.”
The 2022 Yogi Berra Museum Best Teammate Award Recipients:
Arts: Taylor Johnson
Barringer: Mariah Charles
Belleville: Lorenzo Tafuri
Bloomfield: Gianna Faura
Caldwell: Kelly Bambrick
Cedar Grove: Louis Cicala
Central: Shy-Nee Huntley
Columbia: Nashley Guerrier
Eagle Academy: Mlotshwa Mafu
East Orange: Jessica Felix
East Side: Carol Goncalves
Essex County Donald M. Payne Sr. Tech: Jerry Mendez
Essex County West Caldwell Tech: Stephanie Mendoza
Glen Ridge: Alex Jordan
Immaculate Conception: Tyonna Bailey
Irvington: Cynthia Kyerewaa
Livingston: Jordan Mason
Millburn: Paige McBoyle
Montclair: Kiya Lawson
Montclair Kimberley: Maria Caggiano
Mount St. Dominic: Michala O’Neill
Newark Academy: Milanis Rivas
Newark Collegiate: Amara Kelleh
Newark Lab: Samiyah Jenkins
Newark Tech: Jordyn Mallette
North Star: Jasmine Perryman
Nutley: Jill Juat
Orange: Toni Simon
Science Park: Mariana Caetano
Seton Hall Prep: Dylan Negron
Shabazz: Keyona Bailey
St. Vincent Academy: Joely Rojas
Technology: Olivia Barbas
University: Dupri Cromer
Verona: Sean Mulligan
Weequahic: Elijah Motley
West Essex: Michael Rizzo
West Orange: Sebastian DeSimone
West Side: Emmanuel Agboola
