At the 2022 Terri Roemer Paramus Run (left to right) and their yearbook photos: Randi Barron Adelman, Trudi Curcione, Jeanne Acker Williams, Mafalda Roemer Presnal, Gina Rizzo Moretti, and Karen Adler Rubinstein

The story of friendship dates back to 1967 when Karen and Mafalda met in second grade in Miss Blatt’s class at Memorial School. Sadly, they split the school for junior high; Karen went to East Brook, Mafalda to West Brook. They reunited in HS, both joining the PHS choir under the direction of the late Norman Allen. They lost touch after college, but like many of us, Facebook brought them back together.

Also through the magic of Facebook, Mafalda, Randi Barron Adelman and Karen (along with Wendy Grossman Kroner, Debbie Stewart Cibelli, Maria McCarthy Doerr and Carol Macina) got together to plan their 40th reunion in 2018. Excess funds from the very successful reunion were donated to the Terri Roemer Run to help fund Paramus High School seniors’ scholarships. Currently the committee is planning their 45th reunion to take place on November 18, 2023 at Biagio's Ristorante, Paramus, 7-11. Follow on Instagram: Paramushs1978 or email: 1978paramus@gmail.com

45th Reunion Committee

Clockwise: Mafalda Roemer Presnal, Karen Adler Rubinstein, Wendy Grossman-Kroner, Randi Barron Adelman, Debbie Cibelli, Maria McCarthy Doerr

The Terri Roemer Paramus Run

Although there is a lot to do on the day of the run, Mafalda still takes the time to walk with her Paramus High School Class of 1978 classmates pictured here.

Since 1979, runners and walkers have been coming to Paramus on the third Sunday in October to enjoy the beautiful fall weather, participate in one of the most runner focused events of the year, and help young people succeed through the Paramus Scholarship Fund. The first run had 86 runners and raised only $100.

The 2005 Run marked the first without both co-founders, Terri (1999) and Marty Roemer (2005). Their contributions are sorely missed, of course. However, since that time the Run has still been able to contribute over $30,000 in annual scholarships, bringing The Run’s overall scholarship donations to over $750,000.

This annual event is sponsored by the people of Paramus, in conjunction with the Board of Recreation Commissioners, Board of Education, Paramus Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Paramus Shade Tree & Parks Commission, and Paramus Police Department, and benefits the young people of Paramus through the Paramus Scholarship Fund.

Mafalda Roemer Presnal and her four siblings have continued the legacy their parents left behind. Lots of hard work goes into making this fundraiser a success.

The Roemer Children (left to right)
Frank graduated PHS in 1981, Mafalda, 1978, Howie, 1984, Fran McNierney, 1984, and Michael, 1977.

2023 Run

October 15, 2023 is the 44th Terri Roemer Paramus Run! Mark your calendars. Funds raised from the event will benefit the Paramus Scholarship Fund. Proceeds will also benefit the Pediatric Section of the Emergency Department in the Valley Hospital in Paramus, and Butterflies, a specialized program for seriously ill children. Sponsorship opportunities are welcome and available. For more info, see https://www.paramusrun.com.

See what a great time it was in 2022 at https://www.facebook.com/ParamusRun/photos.

About the authors:

Mafalda Roemer Presnal is a 1978 Paramus High School grad.  For more than 25 years, Mafalda was an elementary school teacher in the Paramus School district teaching 4th grade at Memorial as well as 3rd and 1st grade at Parkway School.  She retired from teaching in 2017 and is currently tutoring in Bergen County and is substitute teaching in the Mahwah area.  She resides in Mahwah.

Karen Adler Rubinstein is a 1978 Paramus High School grad and is married to Ron, a 1973 grad.  With an MA in educational technology, Karen has been teaching technology, engineering and robotics for 18 years at Lawrence Intermediate School in Lawrenceville NJ. She retired from teaching in June 2023, and is looking for her next adventure! Karen and Ron reside in Freehold NJ.