Becton Regional H.S. student-athlete wins 2025 Strength Award scholarship from Kearny Bank, presented in conjunction with NJSIAA

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – It seems miraculous that Ava Romano is even around to graduate from Becton Regional High School – and the fact that she’s enjoyed a stellar career on the softball diamond makes her story even more incredible. But that’s precisely why she’s the 2025 recipient of Kearny Bank’s Strength Award scholarship.

As 2023 dawned, Romano led a relatively routine existence as a student-athlete at East Rutherford’s Becton Regional High School. The sophomore was already counting down the days until the softball practice began.

Then, everything changed. In early January, she was sent home by the school nurse with a surprisingly elevated heart rate. A consultation with a cardiologist determined Romano would need to wear a Holter monitor to provide a detailed look at her cardiac activity. But her heart had other ideas.

On the morning of January 23, Romano – suddenly struggling to breathe – was rushed from her home in Carlstadt to Hackensack University Medical Center. A CT scan revealed multiple blood clots were obstructing the flow of blood to both her lungs and she soon was in critical condition and on life-support – and it was determined she needed to be transferred to Manhattan’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

Then, as she was being prepared for a transfer to Manhattan’s Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, things got worse. A large tube that had been inserted into her femoral artery dislodged, triggering catastrophic bleeding. She went into cardiac arrest – and only three hours of emergency surgery saved her life.

Once Romano’s condition stabilized, she was sent to New York University’s Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital, where she underwent immediate surgery to remove the blood clots. Though a thrombectomy of this sort had never before been performed on a patient so young, the specialists were successful.

Then, once again, things got worse. The next day, both of Romano’s femoral arteries begin to hemorrhage. Six hours of emergency surgery were necessary to keep her alive. Multiple fevers followed – including some as high as 105° – and she was diagnosed with a condition that causes a dangerously rapid heart rhythm.

“I didn’t know much about what happened at first,” Romano says. “The Child Life Specialists wanted to help ease me into it before they gave me access to social media.”

In all, Romano spent nine days in the pediatric ICU, followed by five more on the recovery floor. When she was finally released from the hospital on February 5, she began weeks of intense physical therapy. Amazingly – perhaps reaping the benefits of her athletic training – Romano was able to return to Becton Regional on March 3, only six weeks after having been on life-support.

“I was nervous to go back to school at first, but I had an amazing support system,” she recalls. “After the first day, things seemed to go right back to normal.”

Excited as she was to be back, Romano was disappointed that her doctors advised against returning to softball. Her arteries were still healing, they reminded her, and she was on a variety of medications, along with blood thinners.

Still, Romano was determined. And after multiple consultations and evaluations – which also involved the school’s doctor – she secured the clearance she sought. On April 15, less than three months after an ambulance rushed her to the hospital, she suited up for her first varsity game of the season.

Remarkably, she produced nine RBIs and three doubles during her first five games. And when the season concluded in June, Romano earned North Jersey Interscholastic Conference, Honorable Mention recognition. In 2024, as a junior, she was named Second Team, All League. This year, as a senior, she was named First Team, All-League.

The annual, $2,500 Kearny Bank Strength Award, presented in conjunction with the NJSIAA (New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association), recognizes one female student-athlete who, through courage and perseverance, overcame significant injury or illness. It’s difficult not to think the award was designed for Romano.

Becton Regional Athletic Director Annette Giancaspro – who nominated Romano for the 2025 Strength Award – notes that the softball player was an inspiring figure at the high school. Giancaspro says Romano exemplified courage, resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit.

After graduating from Becton Regional, Romano is looking ahead to attending Bergen Community College … where she plans to try out for the softball team.

About Kearny Bank

Combining the finest traditions of community banking with the industry’s latest, most effective financial products and services, Kearny Bank provides business and personal clients with the tools for success. Established back in 1884, and now operating from corporate offices in Fairfield, NJ, Kearny Bank’s footprint covers most of New Jersey, along with Brooklyn and Staten Island. Additional information is available at kearnybank.com or by visiting Kearny Bank’s social media channels: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.