Our mission is to enhance and renew the lifelong Craig School experience for all alumni, whoever they are and wherever they may be. We strive to inspire new ideas, affiliations, friendships, professional fulfillment, and acts of service. Keep your contact information up to date so you don't miss out on events of interest. Share the latest events in your life with us and your classmates—whether it's adding to your family, starting a new job, traveling the globe, or anything in between. Once a Badger, always a Badger!
Ms. Olivia Marshall is graduating from William Patterson University (WPU) this spring with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication and majoring in Media Production. While at WPU, she was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, worked at the campus bookstore and student safety patrol, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity. In her time at Craig High, Olivia played on every sports team, attended every school dance, and joined every Stepping Out. Her perfect record still stands today. Below is a quote from Olivia’s mom, Dr. Marshall. We are so proud of Olivia!
“Olivia has had epilepsy since she was 2 years old. Over her lifetime she has been resuscitated twice and had to learn to walk and talk twice. We were told when she was about 10 that she would never be able to learn how to read. Thanks to the Craig School not only did she learn to read, but she also learned how to learn!” Dr. Brenda Marshall
Married to a naval officer. Currently district manager for a company that runs Salons and barbershops on military bases. Also running a Jr. Stylist and Barber program. Has traveled the world with the navy, including Japan. Dianna writes, “...I wish there were more schools like Craig simply because I have a child that would benefit greatly from the hands-on learning and wonderful environment Craig has. The school puts its students first and wants all of us to succeed and because of Craig I was able to find myself as a person and carry on what my teachers did for me to my child. From the learning tools to self-love Craig continues to shine through in my household.”
Graduated from the University of Vermont with a degree in Entrepreneurship in 2019. While he was an undergraduate, he served as a Teaching Assistant for both Public Speaking and the Business School’s capstone course. After undergrad, Ryan joined the United States Peace Corps as a Community Health Promoter in Sierra Leone. In that role, he conducted community health talks and worked on micro-developmental projects, the most notable of which was fixing a water tower for a local hospital. After the Peace Corps, Ryan went to graduate school and received his MBA with honors from Loyola University (MD) in May 2021 specializing in business analytics. Over the course of his MBA, he joined Accenture as a Recruiting Analyst, and he was recently transferred and joined their consulting program as an analyst working with their AI and Business analytics practice. (the picture shows him and his girlfriend who is a pediatric ICU nurse at Johns Hopkins).
Graduated from the Career and Community Studies Program at The College of New Jersey. She currently works in her family’s real estate management firm as an Office Assistant. She notes that she had a great 8 years at The Craig School and one of her favorite memories is working backstage at the talent show.
Graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2019 with his business management degree. Currently pursuing his Sports Industry Management Masters at Georgetown University trying to pursue a career in sports as a scout. "My favorite memory from Craig is the people I met there. Not just the students but the teachers like Mrs. Reese, Mrs. Ranieri, Mr. Furlong, Mr. Snowdon and so many more had such a huge impact on my life. I still come and visit every chance I get and am always welcomed with open arms. Honestly, one of my favorite memories is when I came back and coached the basketball and lacrosse team for two years. Making an impact on those kids' lives and giving back to a school that gave so much to me was a dream come true. Truly one of the best times in my life."
I attended The Craig School between 6th and 8th grade. Those three years became a huge turning point in my life. Before I came to Craig I was shy and unsure of myself. I dreaded going to school every day because I just wasn't good at it! The Craig Schooll was totally different from any other school I had been to. That's because the teachers at Craig genuinely cared and understood that not everyone learns the same way. My teachers at Craig took the time to get to know me, my strengths, my interests and used that to help motivate me. That's why Craig's Club Program helped me the most to become a better student. Having an incentive to work towards kept me focused and gave me that drive to do my best!
Playing sports at Craig also helped me to grow. Mr. Furlong was my coach for soccer and basketball. He saw my love for sports and believed in my abilities as an athlete. He asked me to play on Craig's lacrosse team that spring even though it was a sport I had never played before, and I would be the only girl on the team! I remember my first game getting hit with a stick to my hand and coming off the field not wanting to play anymore. Mr. Furlong still encouraged me to get back out there and keep playing. Lacrosse ended up being one of my favorite sports. I played throughout my time at Craig, in high school and in college. Playing sports for Mr. Furlong taught me important life lessons about teamwork, leadership, resilience and dedication.
These are qualities that helped shape me into the person I am today!
When I graduated from The Craig School, I had grown in many ways. I had become much more outgoing and gained so much confidence in myself. That was 20 years ago and I still attribute a lot of my success in life to The Craig School helping me find my full potential and knowing I am able to achieve anything I set my mind to. Which has helped me recently in my journey writing a book and becoming a children's book author! Throughout the years I have stayed connected with Craig. I have friends that I met while at Craig that I still keep in touch with. I enjoy coming back to visit Craig campus and attend alumni events.
The Craig School has a great sense of community and support that will always be like a family to me!
The Strength of ADHD
At six years old, I was diagnosed with ADHD. Before my diagnosis, I was unmotivated to do my schoolwork. I felt I wasn't capable because of how much I struggled to do basic academic tasks. Because of my academic struggles, it was recommended that I be tested for ADHD.
Initially being diagnosed with ADHD did not change much. My high energy would lead towards disruptions. My time management was harmfully poor.
Everything changed, however, when I enrolled into the Craig School, which specializes in teaching non-traditional students.
Craig School teachers put an emphasis on developing healthy coping mechanisms. They helped me learn how to direct my high energy towards more productive outlets. They also helped me learn effective time management skills. These lessons developed into proper study habits, which in turn established a previously unexpected desire to learn.
Without my ADHD, my study habits, and my passion for learning that came with them, may not have developed.
While these academic lessons laid the groundwork for my academic success, the Craig School also taught me a lesson that would become essential to my personal development; that my ADHD is something to be celebrated rather than feared. My ADHD has granted me traits that have been advantageous towards my academic and professional development. I have directed my high energy into academics and passions like instructing
Taekwondo. I have used the hyper-fixations commonly associated with ADHD to motivate myself towards being the best student and the best worker I can be.
With a more positive outlook on my ADHD, I was able to develop empathy for others. I used to think I was less capable than my peers. I was wrong.
I have used the memory of this feeling, and the memory of overcoming it, to help my students realize that they too are just as capable as their peers.
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