Jaden Shaw (Yaks): Our first Legend of the summer, is a member of our boys that are Yaks, he started in the year 2012, and found there was no going back. Like his sister before him he had Nancy as a Flipper, then Dolphins, Lopes, Bucks, Elks, Imperials, Okapi, Stags and now the Yaks that’s quite a group tripper. He’s the second in his family to join this exclusive hall, his plaque should have him holding a gaga or dodgeball. For this Legend, tonight there’s no more waitin’, let’s welcome our first member, a Shaw named Jaden.

William Towns (Yaks): Another Yak is next, also a Flipper alumni, like Mr. Shaw he started in 2012 and ten years has now passed by. His sibling is also a member of this prestigious collection, if Baseball was a Club that would certainly be his daily selection. He was born a day before me, separated by just a few years, now he’s a Legend too, and joins several of his peers. Let’s make some noise and turn this pavilion upside down, for our second Legend of the day, Mr. William Towns.

Jacob Parness (Sub Boys): Ah, now we come to one who is part of an upper tier, the third in his family to earn their sweatshirt here. His sisters came before him, yes it’s clear they paved the way, also starting in ’12 though the Dolphins he joined his first day. Another who’s been to many groups, he has now settled as a Sub, it’s taken about 370 days for him to join this club. A fan of Deerkillimanjaro, his climbing ability will impress, but he has no more heights to climb, our newest Legend Jacob Parness.

Ava Pinn (Sub Girls): Our first Subsenior Girl, of which today there are three, she was also a “Flipper,” as was heard being yelled by her counselor Nancy. She hasn’t missed a year, and loves shooting arrows and doing art, among her friends in the Subs she’s known for having a big heart. She’s made the daily trip from Hoboken, all the way from 2nd and Monroe, from now on she’ll travel as a Legend, and all her bus mates will just say “WHOA.” For this next inductee, let’s make a mighty din (that means noise), to celebrate a decade at Deerkill for Ava Pinn.

Bella Vasquez (Sub Girls): The first of a pair of new Legend twins, they follow the Maldens and Schoenfelds as the only twins to get in. Like Jaden, Ava and William she was a Flipper first, but one year wouldn’t do it, it was ten for which she thirst. She is in her 10th year now, though its her first in the Subs, one of three in her group to join this exclusive club. When she was young she wanted to be royalty, she was a big fan of Disney princesses, now she is crowned a Legend, welcome to Bella Vasquez.

Nina Vasquez (Sub Girls): Our fifth Flippers alumni, all from 2012, before she gets her sweatshirt into her history we will delve. Named after one of the boats brought to our shores from Columbus, her explorations were similar, not on a boat of course but a bus. She’s a fierce gaga player, she’s proven to be tough to beat, I have a feeling she’ll be practicing for 2022 and will be ready to compete. Like her sister before her she holds a special place in the club, let’s all make a big scen-a, for the second Vasquez Legend, the one we all call Nina.

Marco Mantica (STARs): The following Legend started out as a Caribou, with his current Group Leader Dan Farrell, he liked it so much he’s back with Dan now he just couldn’t say farewell. He’s a great guy and a boy scout to boot, his gaga game is above par, he’s the first of our inductees today who is representing the STARs. A Gnu with Schreiber, Okapi with Kyle, Ram with Thurston and more, throw in a Dank and a Fliesser as well that’s more than any camper could ask for. He wears his Deerkill shirt to camp with pride even though it’s not a Polo, let’s all call together our very own Mantica we all know as Marco.

Alexis Urquhart (STARs): One of two in the family who earn a sweatshirt today, however she gets to go first, she started in 2011 with Mallory, and realized this place was far from the worst. She’s a swimmer, a runner, a dancer and an avid reader of course, she used to visit the stables every week back when campers could ride a horse. Now here she is a brand new Legend, 11 years after her start, let’s all put our hands together for the STAR Alexis Urquhart.

Matthew Bassin (WW): And now we come to our first Legendary staff, it’s my honor to speak on his behalf. His journey at camp started in 2010, which for him was filled with luck, for he was also a Dan Farrell camper, though he was a Buck. He was in the group with another Matt B who’s also in this club, all he took at Quest was Basketball and also most days at Club. I can still hear Josh Dank announcing as the Pavilion echoed his name, breaking both wrists a few years back put a bit of pause in his game. Now each day it’s drills and hammers instead of balls he’s passing, let’s chant his name one more time, the Legend Matthew Bassin.

Emily Darragh (Oribi): Next up found heaven in 11, when a Gazelle was her type of deer, alongside her bestie Siobhan, who earned her sweatshirt last year. She was an Oribi two years later, when she was a few months past 8, who could’ve guessed back then that going back as a counselor was her fate. She’s always enjoyed her athletics, softball and basketball her choice, now she’s leading those herself, though perhaps not as loud as her co-counselor’s voice. It’s her turn to shine, let’s all provide some fanfare-ah, for our home grown Oribi we know as Emily Darragh.

Patrick Groo (Rams): We come to our next staff Legend of the night, this one is certain to go on to great heights. I’m often asked by people, “Do the 10 years need to be in a row?” to which I say you just shouldn’t leave us, but truth is the answer’s no. He was part of our first Hoboken crew, way back in 2008, he moved on in 2016 but came back, and it’s clear it was worth the wait. He was an Antelope with Matt B, Owen, Toby and Nick, back when a male led them all, they’d wear each other’s underwear home, that is if they wore any at all. Now all these years later, our Rams are part of his crew, let’s hear it for our next Legend, welcome Patrick Groo.

Amari Urquhart (Wildebeests): This next gentleman started in 2011 with the Gnus, along with Josh, Matt, Sebastian and Nick, that was to be a group that would stick. Three years later Josh and the Wildebeests would be his fate, who could’ve imagined he’d return to them as a counselor seven years later. At first he was big into Tech Lab, he chose it for every Quest, then later Archery and eventually Basketball where he found he was one of the best. He left us after his Senior Boys year, two years ago in ’19, but fortunately he returned to us this year, back to the Wildebeests scene. He’s joining his sister in this Club today, so let’s all party and be merry, the next Legend for you all to meet is the Urquhart we know as Amari.

Lara Crowne (Harts): Our next Legend is already Deerkill royalty, following her brother Brett, her sister and dad may follow, but they’re not at 10 quite yet. She started as a Nyala, with none other than Vicky Trifiletti, from then on every summer was a party, with all the fun but without the confetti. She always loved nature and ceramics, and of course taking a zip, she was always the model camper, from her counselors never got lip. Now she’s proud to be a Hart and we’re proud to have her in town, from one of our favorite families I give you Lara Crowne.

Joie Kelly (Antelopes): Here’s another sibling who’s a Legend before her brother, that is until he finds time to Sub, in week 8 one day or another. Her journey started also in 12, but for her it was with the Sambars, along with Abby B, Isis, Jules and Maddy, none of them could venture very far. From there she took the typical path, Zebras, Subs, Seniors and STARs, but only when she became an Antelope, did she truly become a superstar. She loves ceramics, is a dancer and swims, she even loves to rock climb, we’re so happy she keeps climbing Happiness Hill time after time after time. For her there’s no doubt we should all make a big showy, congratulations to North Arlington’s Kelly named Joie.

Colleen McCabe (Bambis/Gazelles): And now we come to a Legend, who’s actually celebrating year 11. Last year was actually a decade, but to her history this offseason changes were made. Her story at camp, began way back in 97, when as a Sherlock she came with sister Kelly and brother Brendan. The next chapter was from 03 to 09, when as a staff member she certainly did shine. And finally, she’s come full circle though her race is far from done, she’s of course a mother to a beautiful daughter and son. Her home is now with the Bambis, 24 years since she first burst upon the scene, let’s welcome our belated Legend the McCabe we call Colleen.

Spenser Sperling: The next Legend to meet joined up in 2009 with the Harts, right alongside Mikayla is where she would get her start. She kept returning every year until she was a Senior Girl in ’15, she left us but came back, a pattern we’ve now often seen. And thank goodness she did, for the Bambis she did so well as a leader, as a person she’s as good as they come everyone likes her as soon as they meet her. Ceramics and crafts come easy to her, she even designed our curriculum with her mom a few times, she trains therapy dogs, dances and embroiders, she even knows how to sign. Now joining her brother and sister in the club, as a family they are simply sterling, let’s all put our hands together for the wonderful Spenser Sperling.

Tara Suter (Bison): The final Legend to induct today, it’s with the Bison with whom she roams, she started in a group with Marni C, the Wapiti were her first home. She’s as campy as they come, a fan of crafts, adventure course and sports, in all her years with us, I don’t think we’ve ever seen her out of sorts. Her first year on staff she was with the Does, with Hi-5’er Kate Passano, but she truly shines with the Bison, where she can engage them mano-a-mano. She’s a magician on the pitch, she follows the soccer ball all over, we’re so happy she chose to return and not stay the summer at Nova. For our next Legend let’s scream, she deserves much more than a mutter, we’re thrilled to welcome our newest Legend Tara Suter.

2ND SESSION

Niko Wojciechowicz (Subsenior Boys): The first of this trio of Legends we present for you to see, he started in the Dolphins with fellow Sub Jacob P. Lopes, Bucks, Elks, Imperials, Moose, Rams and Wildebeests would ensue, until finally into a Subsenior he grew. When he first arrived he was a big Lego fan, now you could say he’s more of an anime man. He’s made the trip every year since, all the way from 2nd and Monroe, alongside his brother Luke, who still has a few years to go. A great guy for sure, his friends he does enrich, let’s put our hands together for Niko Wojciechowicz.

Jackson Kolomer (Senior Boys): Another who started in 2012, but this one with the Antelopes, his first Group Leader was Mallory who along with Shannon K first taught him the ropes. He’s the only Senior Boy to become a Legend this year, though his sister has him beat, they are now Legendary peers. He’s big in the pool, from breast stroke to crawl, but sports is his bag, especially bball. His ride isn’t far but he’s come a long way since here, our next Legend is our very own Jackson Kolomer.

Alistair Steinberg (STARs): The last Legend of the year also happens to be a STAR, for ten years now from NYC he has come far. A decade ago he was with Caribou Dan, who as things come full circle is his Group Leader again. He’s often been found on the courts, whether tennis or basketball, that is of course when he’s not joining the gaga champ wall. Now in his last year as a camper, he’s climbed the final stair, our final Legend of 2021 is the Steinberg named Alistair.