Clifton Senior High School Pictures

Return to John Sokol's home page

There are somewhere between 3,200 to 4,000 students and more than 250 teachers at Clifton High School. It is the second largest high school in New Jersey.

There is a Wikipedia Page on it now. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clifton_High_School_%28New_Jersey%29

Arial View of Clifton Senior High School

1986 Computer club at Clifton Sr High, I am at the far back right side.

John Sokol in the Library as usual

The article reads:
the fact that a high school student, John Sokol, is the first to be hired by the board to work for the system. He was recently appointed under the provisions of the Cooperative Industrial Education (CIE) Program, to handle repairs of microcomputers. So proficient is John with computers that he was one of three out of 65 applicants to win a $3,400 half scholarship for the Computer Processing Institute in Paramus. In Addition, the board applauded Frank Perrotta, Coordinator of Media Services, for assisting Sokol in his education....

North Jersey Herald New, Thursday, February 6, 1986
School Hires 'Computer Whiz'

By Debbie Borja
Staff Writer
   CLIFTON -- Proving that it is pleased with the quality of students' work, the city board of education had recently hired a Clifton High School senior to repair and maintain some of the schools' most expensive equipment, the computers.
   In an unprecedented move last month, the board hired John L. Sokol, a self-taught computer expert and 12 grade student to work in the District Media Center at the high school at a salary of $3.35 per hour.
   John is enrolled in the Cooperative Industrial Education work experience program, designed to provide job experience in industry. And, although the program, which provides credit for work experience, had been in existence for at least 13 years, this is the first time the school system has hired a CIE worker. All of the other 23 students involved in the program are employed in private industry.
   In December, John donated his time so that the school district could pilot the program. When the results were in, the school board found that by using Sokol's in house services under the direction of the Distinct Coordinator of Media Services Frank Perrotta, microcomputer units and components were returned to service much more quickly.
   As part of this program, John also attends a related morning course in which the class discusses and examines industrial and business situations. This week John said, the class examined tax preparation and returns.
   Although be said he would like to pursue his own business and perhaps join the armed services after graduation, course coordinator Dennis M. Gonzalez and Perrotta are encouraging his to continue his education and to apply for a CID scholarship to either trade school or college.
   According to Gonzalez unlike John who remains in the school building after his fifth period class and begins work, most CIE students venture out into the private sector where supervisors help grade their work. Gonzalez visits them monthly to check their progress.
   Boasting that he often provides "same day service." John said he has taught himself about computers from books and magazines.
   With his knowledge at the age of 11, he built and designed his first homemade computer from scratch. Commenting that building his own was "a lot cheaper than buying one." he said, his computer, "went above and beyond what was available in stores at the time." Recently, he said, he has built his third homemade computer.

   Recognizing John's advanced skills, Perrotta said he would like to continue hiring students in future years, but they would "not have the depth of knowledge John Has."
   Calling John a "Prototype," Perrotta said he would like to see the program spread to other school system programs. He commented, "We provide some resources here that are equal to or better than private industry.:
   "This could be a springboard for future employment,": He said. Although noting that the school system is saving money, Perrotta said the main advantage to using John's services instead of an outside repair shop is less "down time." He added, there are about 280 computers using the Clifton schools.
   In preparation for hiring John and continuing the program after John's graduation, Perrotta attended a one-week Apple training course in order to become a qualified computer instructor. Pointing out the school board believes in its students, Gonzalez added there is always a need for more industrial involvement and that student workers are trained in nearly 100 identifiable industrial fields.

Caption from Photo "coordinator Frank Perrotta and student John Sokol at right work on computer"

One of the things I help set up with the CAST (Communication Arts, Science and Technology) program. CAST courses teach about about video production and other aspects of the broadcasting industry. At the time in 1985 we operated Cliftons Public Access Television on Cable Channel V. This would air programs created by students of the CAST program. I think this is now Channel 77 there.

This is my very first bussiness I started. Direct Data Resource, in Prospect Park New Jersey.

North Jersey Herald New, Thursday, February 6, 1986 School Hires 'Computer Whiz'
By Debbie Borja Staff Writer CLIFTON -- Proving that it is pleased with the quality of students' work, the city board of education had recently hired a Clifton High School senior to repair and maintain some of the schools' most expensive equipment, the computers. In an unprecedented move last month, the board hired John L. Sokol, a self-taught computer expert and 12 grade student to work in the District Media Center at the high school at a salary of $3.35 per hour. John is enrolled in the Cooperative Industrial Education work experience program, designed to provide job experience in industry. And, although the program, which provides credit for work experience, had been in existence for at least 13 years, this is the first time the school system has hired a CIE worker. All of the other 23 students involved in the program are employed in private industry. In December, John donated his time so that the school district could pilot the program. When the results were in, the school board found that by using Sokol's in house services under the direction of the Distinct Coordinator of Media Services Frank Perrotta, microcomputer units and components were returned to service much more quickly.	As part of this program, John also attends a related morning course in which the class discusses and examines industrial and business situations. This week John said, the class examined tax preparation and returns. Although be said he would like to pursue his own business and perhaps join the armed services after graduation, course coordinator Dennis M. Gonzalez and Perrotta are encouraging his to continue his education and to apply for a CID scholarship to either trade school or college. According to Gonzalez unlike John who remains in the school building after his fifth period class and begins work, most CIE students venture out into the private sector where supervisors help grade their work. Gonzalez visits them monthly to check their progress. Boasting that he often provides "same day service." John said he has taught himself about computers from books and magazines. With his knowledge at the age of 11, he built and designed his first homemade computer from scratch. Commenting that building his own was "a lot cheaper than buying one." he said, his computer, "went above and beyond what was available in stores at the time." Recently, he said, he has built his third homemade computer.	Recognizing John's advanced skills, Perrotta said he would like to continue hiring students in future years, but they would "not have the depth of knowledge John Has." Calling John a "Prototype," Perrotta said he would like to see the program spread to other school system programs. He commented, "We provide some resources here that are equal to or better than private industry.: "This could be a springboard for future employment,": He said. Although noting that the school system is saving money, Perrotta said the main advantage to using John's services instead of an outside repair shop is less "down time." He added, there are about 280 computers using the Clifton schools. In preparation for hiring John and continuing the program after John's graduation, Perrotta attended a one-week Apple training course in order to become a qualified computer instructor. Pointing out the school board believes in its students, Gonzalez added there is always a need for more industrial involvement and that student workers are trained in nearly 100 identifiable industrial fields.
Caption from Photo "coordinator Frank Perrotta and student John Sokol at right work on computer"