Congratulations to Mr. Haraka, Athletic Director and Supervisor of Student Services, on being awarded the “Athletic Director of the Year Award” by the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey for his work here at Morris Hills. Mr. Haraka oversees the Morris Hills athletic programs while also supervising the physical education department and the school nurses.

Every year, a committee from the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey meets to select an athletic director from all the high school and middle schools in New Jersey. After a nomination by a colleague 4 years ago, Mr. Haraka’s name was in the application pool, and this was the year that he was acknowledged.

Since starting at Morris Hills in 2006, Mr. Haraka has been responsible for adding 5 new sports to Morris Hills: bowling, boy’s lacrosse, girl’s lacrosse, girl’s volleyball, and girl’s wrestling. Throughout the years, he has overseen facility upgrades in the form of gymnasium upgrades, stadium upgrades, and new flooring. In an interview, Mr. Haraka stated that he is “proud of the facilities here” and has been looking to replace the track.

This is Mr. Haraka’s 32nd year in education. After graduating Montclair State University with a business administration degree, he received a teaching degree and a Master’s from Kean University. His first job was at Bloomfield High School as a special education teacher. Then, Mr. Haraka was the Supervisor of Special Education in Mount Olive, and the Athletic Director at Parsippany High School before coming to Morris Hills in January 2006.

Mr. Haraka believes that “[t]his award is a team effort” and that the award is a “testament” to the positive interactions Mr. Haraka has had with the coaches, parents, and staff-members here at Morris Hills. He will be presented this award at the Director of Athletics Association Conference in Atlantic City in March. The award also comes with two $500 scholarships for student athletes that Mr. Haraka and the administration will award at graduation.

Again, the Hilltopper congratulates Mr. Haraka on this achievement!