On Sept. 15th, Superintendent Sarah Bilotti emailed a district-wide message on ParentSquare, announcing the tragic passing of Hills senior Brooke Dryerman, 17, and her parents, David and Michele Dryerman, both 54.
According to multiple sources, all three individuals perished in a car accident on the Garden State Parkway in Woodbridge on Saturday, Sept. 14th at 11:55 p.m.
The announcement reads as follows:
They are survived by their son and brother, Max Dryerman, Hills Class of 2023. To support Dryerman in his time of need and in memory of Michele, David, and Brooke, GoFundMe donations can help him as well as charities of his choice. For example, since Brooke was co-president of Hills Camp Raspberry, Dryerman is considering donating to the organization in her honor.
In a separate email sent to students on the eve of the 15th, Hills principal, Tim Weiland, states that “[He does not] have the words that can help ease the sadness and shock of today’s news about Brooke and her parents. As we return to Hills tomorrow morning, please remember that each one of us manages grief differently, and that is ok. Brooke was an important part of our Hills Family, and I ask that we treat each other with the kindness she showed all of us.”
Brooke was a part of the Class of 2025 and the Pascack Valley Community. She was an executive of Camp Raspberry, a board member and Engagement VP of the Temple Emanuel of Pascack Valley (TEPV) Youth Group, on the Girl’s Tennis Team at Hills, and participated in Unified Gym. This year, she began the Teacher Cadet Program, as she had aspirations of becoming a teacher and studying education, specifically special needs education.
Arrangements for the Dryerman family are as follows:
Funeral: Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 10 a.m. This will be held at Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley, The Ballroom. The Internment will occur at Sharon Gardens Cemetery 273 Lakeview Avenue, Valhalla, New York.
Shiva: In Jewish tradition, a Shiva is a seven-day mourning period for the dead in which friends and family come together to seek comfort, typically hosted by the family of the departed. Shiva will begin immediately after the funeral. Information regarding specific details will be sent out once arrangements are finalized.
We, at The Trailblazer, offer our heartfelt condolences to David, Michele, and Brooke’s family and friends.
For those who may need assistance during this difficult time, there are several ways both staff and students can receive help:
- Stop into the Counseling Office
- Call or WebChat with someone through our Crisis Hotline by visiting this link
- Bergen ResourceNet has many private resources available – for more information, visit: https://www.bergenresourcenet.org.
- 2ndFloor Youth Helpline (a confidential and anonymous helpline for New Jersey’s youth and young adults) – Call or text 888-222-2228
Children’s Mobile Crisis Helpline (through a service called PerformCare, which can come to your home within one hour of notification to provide face-to-face crisis services) – Call 877-652-7624
