PHOTO BY MADELINE ROSANIA Vice principal Mr. Venezia has served in his role since 2007. He will be retiring at the end of December.
Dec. 6, 2024
Madeline Rosania
Staff Writer
After 17 years as vice principal, Mr. Venezia will be retiring at the end of the month.
Venezia said upon retirement, he looks forward to spending more time with his family.
“I still have my two boys in their 20s, and I also have a 12-year-old daughter, so it will give me an opportunity to spend a little more time with them,” Venezia said.
Venezia earned his bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and his master’s from St. Peter’s College, which is now St. Peter’s University, in Jersey City. In 1983, he began his career in education as a math and business teacher at St. Mary High School in Rutherford, where he also served as athletic director. In 2004, he went on to work as the athletic director and supervisor of physical education at Dover High School before coming to LHS in December 2007.
“Mr. Venezia is a consummate professional when dealing with parents and students. He was always fair with students and allowed an opportunity for students to correct and learn from their behaviors.”
Venezia, a Lyndhurst resident who had 10 years of experience coaching varsity football at LHS, said when he heard there was an opening for the vice principal position at LHS, he seized the opportunity to work closer to home.
He said his favorite part of his job has been watching the success of LHS’ students.
“It’s great to see how they mature over the course of four years,” Venezia said.
He said he hopes his interactions with students have shaped them positively.
“[I like to] give kids an opportunity to understand what their behavior was, why it was not appropriate and then give them the opportunity to correct it before there’s [an] actual consequence,” Venezia said.
He said although consequences are necessary, mistakes do not define a person, because there is always the possibility for change and growth.
Venezia said he hopes students leave high school with a sense of direction and motivation.
“You don’t necessarily have to know what you want to be, but have an idea of where you want to go,” Venezia said.
Principal Ms. Vuono, who shared the vice principal role with Venezia for a year before becoming principal in 2015, said Venezia set a good example at LHS.
“Mr. Venezia is a consummate professional when dealing with parents and students. He was always fair with students and allowed an opportunity for students to correct and learn from their behaviors,” Vuono said.
She said she has gained insight from his method of viewing students as individuals and his ability to understand people.
“He gave every faculty and staff member an opportunity to be heard. He was a good listener and problem solver,” Vuono said.
Senior Isaac Camilo, who has worked with Venezia in his capacity as president of the Student Government Association and senior class, said Venezia has played an essential role in approving the clubs and activities that shape LHS.
“All of the proposals have to go through him…. Without him, there’d be no clubs or activities [at] all,” Camilo said.
He said Venezia’s approach to discipline and motivational messages have taught students to persevere in their education and life.
“Throughout the years… he’s spoken to us about many things about the future, careers and college,” Camilo said. “It’s been very helpful.”
