"I moved to Weehawken when I was in fifth grade and I was one of those people who had to get involved in everything," Cambria said. "I learned to play the cello and played in the school orchestra. I also played tympani with the school band, I was the captain of the cheerleaders, and I was in school plays. I really loved high school and I loved Weehawken."
Judith Coffin was the salutatorian for the Weehawken High School Class of 1950, a class that also included her husband of 53 years, Thomas Cambria.
At first, Judith Coffin Cambria was going to be a Navy bride, following her enlisted husband to nationwide ports of call. In the meantime, she had a daughter and she worked helping out two other families, so education was not part of the immediate future after high school.
"But I always knew that I wanted to go to college," Cambria said. "When I finally went to school, it took me six years to complete my degree."
After graduating from Montclair State University, Cambria took a job as a teacher in Wayne. But she knew she had a different calling.
"My daughter was about 3 or 4 and I felt like I had to do something different," Cambria said. "So, I joined the League of Women Voters and decided to get involved."
Cambria made a major impact in the league, becoming a driving force in obtaining funding for schools and colleges.
As the education director for the league, Cambria was an expert witness in the 1978 case Abbott v. Burke, testifying to the difficulties economically disadvantaged students had in obtaining higher education. Her testimony led to a ruling from the New Jersey Supreme Court that the state should be responsible for the cost of building new facilities for students.
Cambria then became the New Jersey director for the Educational Opportunity Fund, helping disadvantaged teenagers to go to college. During her 19 years as director, Cambria helped to raise the collective funds for students going to college from $3 million to $25 million, helping more than 25,000 New Jersey students who would have failed initial admission standards to obtain a college education.
Last month, Cambria returned home to receive the honor of becoming the newest member of the Weehawken High School Academic Hall of Fame.
Cambria received her award at the annual Academic Awards Night and National Honor Society Induction ceremonies at Schuetzen Park in North Bergen.
More than 50 students received awards for academic achievement and more than 30 students were inducted into the National and Junior National Honor societies.
Kathleen Kitzie is the faculty advisor for the Weehawken National Honor Society and the coordinator of the event. She was pleased to welcome Cambria into a Hall of Fame in which past inductees include beer distribution giant Leo Van Munching, former Weehawken Mayor Stanley Iacono, famed novelist Cathy Cash Spellman, and noted explorer David Mearns.
"Mrs. Cambria devoted her life to improving the lives of students throughout the state," Kitzie said. "We got to realize what an accomplished woman she is and how much students profited from her hard work."
Cambria said that she didn't know her alma mater had an Academic Hall of Fame until she returned to Weehawken for her 50th reunion last year. Her husband then wrote a letter of nomination and she received the honor.
"It all came as a surprise to me," said Cambria, who now resides in Manahawkin. "I'm glad my efforts made a difference. I did a lot of fascinating things in my life."
Cambria said that she was particularly proud of her efforts that led to the Abbott district funding.
"It's probably the most important thing I accomplished," Cambria said. "A lot of children are going to new schools now because of what I did, and that's a great feeling."
There were a host of academic awards given to top students in a range of subjects and activities.
Oscar Lee, who will be the valedictorian for the Weehawken High School Class of 2006, received the Academic Award for being the school's top student. Lee received his award from Weehawken Mayor Richard Turner.
"I had Oscar in class and he's a hard worker," said Kitzie, who teachers English, poetry, and drama at the school. "He's as polished a student that you can find and he's just a great kid."
The students who were inducted of the new National Honor Society took part in a candlelight service that was symbolic of becoming a member.
"There's nothing more gratifying as a teacher than seeing students rewarded for their academic achievement," Kitzie said. "They set the standards for everyone else."
Cambria said that Weehawken students' achievements overwhelmed her.
"My husband and I were fantastically impressed with what the school system of Weehawken is doing," Cambria said. "I was thrilled that these kids were achieving so much. It's proof of a district doing its job."
Academic Award recipients:
Art - Joanne Lopez
Industrial Arts - Eduardo Rodas and Robert Zuniga
Drafting - Camila Godoy
Culinary Arts - Marjorie Ortega and Graciette Hache
Music - Stephanie Orru, Francis Petrie and Alfonso Gonzalez
Brown Book - Cynthia Martinez
Language Arts - Katherine Gross
Journalism - Francis Petrie
Video Broadcasting - Ricardo Victor
Social Science - Francis Petrie
Science - Shawn Dorman
Economics - Katherine Gross
Homer Pace - Katherine Dantis
Math League - Victor Ledesma
Chess - Malachy Quinn, Kelly Hogan and Donald Purcell
Spanish - Victor Bautista and Richa Goel
French - Annamaria Bufi and Josue Silva
Peer Leadership - Marjorie Ortega and Glessler Loy
Seventh and Eighth Grade Leadership - Maryelena Caballero, Nashwa Elangbawy and Lily Wagner
Annette Nunziata Memorial Award - Anthony Petriello (eighth grade), Ruben Torres (senior) and Rhina Acevedo (special recognition).
Technology - Francis Petrie
Academic - Oscar Lee
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