IN OUR SCHOOLS

Pallone honors top district students for education and arts achievements

Staff Report
@MyCentralJersey
Congressman Pallone with Congressional award winners

The recipients of the Congressional Award, this year’s U.S. Service Academy nominees and the winners of the 2018 Sixth Congressional District High School Arts Competition were announced recently by Congressman Frank Pallone Jr., the Democrat representing the sixth congressional district. Students representing several local high schools were honored at the reception, conducted at Rutgers University. In addition, distinguished guests discussed the importance of the fields recognized. 

Congressman Pallone with Services Academy nominees
Congressman Pallone with the Art Competition winner and her grandfather.

During the event, William Salcedo, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties spoke about the value of community service and volunteerism and the benefits it has on the entire community.

Brigadier General Edward Chrystal Jr., Land Component Commander, New Jersey Army National Guard, spoke about the value of military service and commitment to serving our great nation.

Thomas Sokolowski, director of the Zimmerli Museum, spoke about the role of the arts in education and the benefits of encouraging young artists.

Pallone honored the 2018 recipients of the Congressional Award. Created by his predecessor, the late U.S. Rep. Jim Howard, the Congressional Award recognizes the initiative, achievement and volunteer services of young people. Honorees included:

Bronze Congressional award recipient: Alyssa Grieco of Long Branch High School; Gold Congressional award recipients: Alexandra Hsueh of Marlboro High School; 

The New Jersey Congressman also honored the 29 candidates Pallone nominated to the U.S. Service Academies. 

The nominees are: U.S. Air Force AcademyJessica Carvalho of Woodbridge High School, Caelan Johnson of Metuchen High School, Kevyn Martinez of St. Joseph High School, Alyssa Naused of U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School, Matthew Sternesky of Colonia High School, Agustin Sullivan of Bishop George Ahr High School, Cristian Sullivan of Bishop George Ahr High School, Mehr Tamboly of John P. Stevens High School; U.S. Naval Academy: Nicolas Bahier of Kent High School, Catherine Brown of Matawan Regional High School, Roy Brown of Woodbridge High School, Derek Gordon, Jr. of High Technology High School, Riley Guerrera of Christian Brothers Academy, Tajira P. Harmon of John P. Stevens High School, Grace Huegel of Colts Neck High School, Alex Kern of Middletown High School North, Matthew Landis of Highland Park High School, Anthony LeSaux of St. Joseph High School; U.S. Military Academy at West Point: Benjamin Daniels of Edison High School, Michael Flynn of Marine Academy for Science & Technology, Jack Hardzewicz of Middletown High School South, Evyatar Kanik of Ma’Or Yeshiva High School for Boys, Jason Kauffman of Colts Neck High School, John Piccinic, Shelby Piccinic of Colonia High School, Nicholas RochaKim of Marlboro High School, Cristian Sullivan of Bishop George Ahr High School, Mehr Tamboly of John P. Stevens High School; U.S. Merchant Marine Academy: Allison AitkenAustin Aitken of Monroe Township High School, Dominick Esposito of Brookdale Community College, Matthew Sternesky of Colonia High School.     

“The value of military service to our nation cannot be overstated and I am honored by the commitment that these nominees to America’s top service academies have shown to serving their nation,” Pallone said. 

Young artists from various schools in Middlesex and Monmouth counties participated in this year’s art competition, which is part of the nationwide program known as “An Artistic Discovery.”  Local judges chose first, second and third place winners, and also awarded 15 honorable mentions.  The first place winner, Imani Sylvain, will have her artwork displayed for the next year in the United States Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. 

Congressional Art Competition Finalists: First place: Imani Sylvain; second place: Savannah Cook and third place: Kathleen Hammerdahl of Piscataway High School.

Honorable Mentions: Rebecca de Araujo of Edison High School, Kevin Ge of John P. Stevens High School, Julia Grivas of Matawan Regional High School, Avia Hurley of Piscataway High School, Odaliza Jerez of Perth Amboy High School, Michelle Lipnitsky of Matawan Regional High School, Leslie Luna of Perth Amboy High School, Azfiha Nayab of Piscataway High School, Cristina Rodriguez of Perth Amboy High School, Daisy Saavedra of Edison High School, Marianna Serghis of Henry Hudson Regional High School, Veronica Thiel of Keyport High School, Sara Venturi of Piscataway High School, Mia Walker of Matawan Regional High School, Yihan Wu of High Technology High School.

“I have long believed that Congress should play a major role in encouraging the arts,” Pallone said. “This competition provides a forum to help the aspiring young artists of our area gain recognition and exposure. Young artists can gain confidence in themselves and their abilities by displaying their work and having it evaluated by knowledgeable judges.”

READ: The good things students are doing in Central Jersey and beyond

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Archdiocese of Newark

On Tuesday, May 1, representatives of the Tri-State Italian-American Congress presented $25,000 in scholarships to a group of students of Italian heritage from 25 Catholic elementary schools of the Archdiocese of Newark. The awards were presented in a ceremony in the Auditorium of the Archdiocesan Center in Newark.

Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, Archbishop of Newark, was joined by Louis Vele, president of Tri-State, and Ralph A. Contini, Tri-State Treasurer and Executive Director, in making the presentations. Also on hand at this ceremony were parents and friends of the scholarship winners, representatives of the Consulate General of Italy, and clergy, faculty and staff of the schools each award winner attends.

The honorees included seventh-graders Giulia Olear and Daniel Olear who attend St. Michael School in Cranford.

Eligibility for scholarship awards was based on a combination of a family’s financial need and Italian heritage.  Award winners were nominated by individual schools.

“We’re truly grateful for the support that Tri-State is giving to needy families here in the Archdiocese who want their children to receive the excellent faith-filled education that our schools offer,” said Tobin of the partnership between the Archdiocese and the Congress.   

Vele added: “Tri-State has a long history of supporting education and rewarding scholarship. Our first awards within the Archdiocese of Newark were made in 2003, and we are very pleased to again be able to help children and their families realize their dream of receiving an excellent education in a faith-filled environment.  In the 15 years of our scholarship program, Tri-State has helped more than 3,000 students attend and succeed at Catholic schools.”

 

Castleton University

Robert Bognar of Sewaren has become a certified members of the mentoring program at Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont.

Curry College

Christine Ezeigwe of Princeton was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau international nursing honor society at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts

Franklin Township Scholarships

The Frieda Warner and Harry Van Houten Scholarship Fund  of Franklin Township will award three $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors Franklin High School seniors. Olivia Echeverria, Maitri Shah and Madison Whiting, winners of the scholarships, will read their essays at a May 20 scholarship recognition and awards luncheon. Frank Chmiel, newly appointed principal of Franklin High School, will also speak to attendees.

The public is invited to attend the luncheon at 12:30 p.m. May 20, at PJ Cavanaugh’s Irish Pub & Grill, 195 Davidson Ave., Somerset. To purchase a ticket, go to http://fwhvhs.weebly.com or mail check to FWHVHS c/o Beals,  6 Alma Court, Somerset, NJ 08873. Luncheon tickets are $40. 

Frieda Delcos Warner (1929-1994) was a teacher and community servant who set an example of public service in the face of personal obstacles, including the onset of kidney disease just a few years after having her three children. She underwent kidney dialysis twice a week, but continued to be active in the League of Women Voters and the JFK Democratic Club, according to a news release. 

The scholarship fund was initially established in her honor, but later the fund name was changed to include the late Harry Van Houten, another Franklin Township citizen who was dedicated to public service, life-long learning and education.

A violinist at the time he met his wife in college, Van Houten inspired his children and everyone he knew to be open to new ideas, and curious about the world.  

Anyone interested in becoming involved with the scholarship committee or for details on the luncheon, call 609-474-6483.

John P. Stevens High School

On Wednesday, May 23, at 6:45 p.m. the John P. Stevens Band Program will present its 45th annual Jazz Band Extravaganza featuring performances from the John Adams Middle School Jazz Band, and both of  itsaward-winning high school jazz ensembles, followed by the end-of-the-evening jam session.  

Professional musicians, JPS Hall of Honor Members, and former JPS graduates take part, according to a news release. All are invited, to either play or simply to come listen to great jazz.

This free event is open to the community. John P. Stevens High School is at 855 Grove Avenue, Edison.

ALSO: On April 28, John P. Stevens High School hosted the NJAJE State Jazz Finals, Division 1, where nine of the top-ranked jazz bands performed. 

The John P. Stevens Jazz Ensemble, directed by Andrew DeNicola, placed first overall, winning outstanding trombone section, trumpet section, and “Best Sight-Reading Band.”  In addition, Varun Das, senior drummer, was the recipient of the Rick Kerber Memorial Scholarship Soloist Award. 

The John P. Stevens Lab Jazz Band, directed by John Zazzali, placed third overall. The two ensembles were invited to play at the NJAJE State Jazz Festival Gala on May 12. 

The John P. Stevens High School Wind Ensemble, directed by DeNicola, was selected to perform at the Closing Concert of the 20th Annual State Gala Concert, conducted on April 29 at Kean University. The Wind Ensemble was chosen to perform at this event based on its superior performance at the CJMEA Concert Band Festival in March, according to a news release..

Other accolades this season include the JPS Marching Hawks being awarded NJ State Champions in Group VI Open competition and receiving the highest score overall, winning caption awards for Best Music & Best Visual.

In addition, 36 students from JPS were selected through audition to the 2018 Central Jersey Region Band with 22 of those students selected to the 2018 New Jersey All-State Band. These students represent the highest number from any one school in New Jersey.

Kids First Montessori School

Kids First Montessori School in South Brunswick conducted its third annual Science Fair on April 27 featuring 50 exhibits hosted by preschoolers. The fair opened with a ribbon-cutting and concluded with an extensive awards ceremony, and in between, the young scientists confidently spoke on a variety of subjects including solar energy, the Earth, the moon, the five senses, wildcats, and penguins! 

Shiv Badgujar with his project: Five senses.

For the day, the school’s classrooms were transformed into rows of work stations featuring elaborately decorated tri-fold boards, experiments, and visual aids. As family and friends visited each station, the children shared what they learned and answered questions.  

Rish aKolachina, for example, spoke about the phases of the moon depicted by sculpted cookies.Walking further into the fray of science exhibits, spectators witnessed Shiv Badgujar with his display of the five senses, where he was thrilled to show people his telescope and laser flashlight.

All 50 students were well-educated on their chosen subjects, and guests enjoyed viewing creative displays from live worms in soil to a working volcano.

Kids First Montessori owner and teacher, Madhavi Veerapaneni, said that science is all around us, and children are natural observers who are fascinated to learn how things work.  

After the guests finished viewing the students’ science stations, an extensive awards ceremony was conducted.  Each student introduced his or her own science project before being awarded a personalized Science Star metal. At the end of the day, students were congratulated with hand shakes and given framed certificates of participation in the third annual Kids First Montessori school’s Science Fair.

Submitted by Mary Ezzo

Middlesex County College 

Ten Middlesex County College students were recently inducted into Delta Omicron, an honor society for nursing students. The society is open to excellent second-year nursing students who design and implement a community service education or recruitment project. Victoria Szabo of Monmouth Junction, Gisselle Hernandez of New Brunswick, Jamirah Turner of Somerset. Eitan Fabia of Edison, Hannah Goodson-Foulk of Hamilton, Katsiaryna Sikorskaya of East Brunswick, Jang Youp Lim of East Brunswick, Lisnatiel Diaz of Perth Amboy, Katelyn Walczak of South Amboy and Zenaida Perez of Somerset.

Seated, from left: Victoria Szabo of Monmouth Junction, Gisselle Hernandez of New Brunswick, Jamirah Turner of Somerset. Standing: Eitan Fabia of Edison, Hannah Goodson-Foulk of 
 Hamilton, Katsiaryna Sikorskaya of East Brunswick, Jang Youp Lim of East Brunswick, Lisnatiel Diaz of Perth Amboy, Katelyn Walczak of South Amboy and Zenaida Perez of Somerset.

Mother Seton Regional High School

Va-rooom!!! Va-rooom!!! Those are the sounds normally heard at the Indy 500 or a California drag racing strip.   

Well, they weren’t exactly the sounds that propagated during the final run of the “Rubber Band Powered Vehicle” Activity during Richard Jakubowski’s Engineering Design Process (EDP) class at Mother Seton Regional High School in Clark recently. However, the excitement and atmosphere was the same.

Left to right: Senior, Leona Duffour of Roselle and Junior, Hannah Cherrey of Westfield.

Using the EDP, students designed vehicles, powered solely by rubber bands, to meet certain constraints and criteria. The constraints included the materials used such as cardboard, hot glue, wooden dowels, compact discs, etc.; as well as, of course, rubber bands. The design criteria called for the vehicle to travel the length of a student designed and produced racetrack, which included a 6” high ramp along the way. 

The vehicle was also required to carry a figurine (i.e. passenger) in a seat, strapped in a seat belt, safely to the finish line.

Junior, Jordyn Pavey of Woodbridge.

Initially, problems such as wheel slippage and lack of power were encountered.  However, the well trained student engineers, using the results of field tests, brainstormed and implemented various modifications. Most changes were successful and instilled confidence in their use of the design process, according to a school news release.

ALSO: In an effort to save the planet and the endangered species, a new club was formed last year at Mother Seton Regional High School, sponsored by the Art Department.

The Eco-Art Club meets in the Art Studio on Thursday mornings during regular club program schedules. A group of six to 15 students with Monica Otero, art teacher and club moderator, use their creativity and talent to make colorful items from recycled materials. Various plastic bottles, egg cartons, packaging, large juice containers and milk jugs become jewelry, piggy banks, Christmas ornaments, decorative vases and flowers, even furniture. 

Left to right: Kneeling:  Jessica Bober, Kamilla Kocsis; Standing:  Alina Antonucci, Gabriella Marino, Jada Jones, YiFei Han, Monica Otero, Art Teacher.

Students conducted a sale in the cafeteria to raise funds for the World Wildlife Fund, an organization dedicated to protect the endangered species and their habitats. The proceeds are donated to the program known as Panda Nation.

In April 2017, coinciding with Earth Day celebrations, the Eco-Art Club obtained its first online badge “Sea Turtles” in appreciation for raising more than $50. The senior vice-president of the WWF sent a letter thanking the club and the school for their contribution.

Students in the Eco-Art Club are very proud of their achievements, according to a school news release. They hope to continue raising funds making eco-friendly items they can share with others as they promote ways to safeguard our planet and all the precious life it holds.

New Jersey Department of Agriculture

The 2018 Jersey Fresh Farm to School Recognition and Award program to find the top school in the state participating in farm to school activities has begun. The program also will recognize schools that work with farmers and the community to ensure students have access to healthy Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables in their school cafeterias and teach about agriculture through growing school gardens.

Applications are available for the Jersey Fresh Farm to School Recognition and Award program at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/F2SRecAward. The deadline to complete and submit the application is June 1. One exemplary school that provides the most meaningful Farm to School overview will be presented with the “Best in New Jersey Farm to School Award” during Jersey Fresh Farm to School Week September 24-28.

“More schools are continuing to show interest and participate in Farm to School activities and we want to recognize schools that are doing a great job,” state Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher said in a news release. “We encourage schools to incorporate Farm to School into their meal program.”

To learn more, visit www.farmtoschool.nj.gov and search for @farmtoschoolnj on social media.

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey

The Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey (the Partnership), in collaboration with the New Jersey Department of Health, announced the winners for the sixth annual Protect Me With 3+ adolescent immunization awareness poster and video contest.

Winners of the sixth annual a contest along with the New Jersey Department of Health and the Partnership for Maternal & Child Health of Northern New Jersey.

The winners and finalists in each category were honored at an awards ceremony and banquet held at The Conference Center at RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness on April 29. The top three winners in the poster and video categories received prizes and the opportunity for their artistic creations to be distributed during statewide immunization awareness activities.

Middle School poster contest winners: First place: Jenna Birney from Franklin Elementary School, Rahway; Second place: Austin Garay from Franklin Elementary School, Rahway; Third place: Ava Butterline from Franklin Elementary School, Rahway.

High School poster contest winners: First place: Arya Sasne from West Windsor, Plainsboro High School South; Second place: Nicole Kye from Ridgewood High School; Third place: Vic Petroni from Mahwah High School.

Video contest winners: First place: Kerry Harper from Henry Hudson Regional School; Second place: Spencer Friedman from Marlboro High School; Third place: Stuti Mohan from Middlesex County Academy for Allied Health and Biomedical Sciences, Woodbridge

Teachers and schools with the most eligible classroom submissions in each category were also acknowledged at the ceremony. The winning teachers and schools include: Venisha Jordan, Franklin Elementary, Rahway, Middle School Poster Category; Denise DePalma, Orange High School, Orange, High School Poster Category; William Wentz, Marlboro High School, Marlboro, Video Category.

The Protect Me With 3+ contest raises awareness about the importance of adolescent immunizations to protect against tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap), human papillomavirus (HPV), meningococcal conjugate, and influenza (flu). This year,  more than 400 poster and video entries from middle school and high school students across the state were received. The winning creations can be viewed at http://protectmewith3.com/winners.

“The Protect Me With 3+ contest teaches young adults about the importance of vaccinations in a fun and creative way. Students are encouraged to express themselves artistically and collaborate with their peers,” said Alise Zimmerman, President and CEO of the Partnership for Maternal and Child Health of Northern New Jersey. “We received a record number of student submissions this year and look forward to engaging even more students and teachers in next year’s contest!”

“The Department of Health is excited to share these informative posters and videos at various health events to promote the importance of adolescent immunization,” said Dr. Tina Tan, State Epidemiologist and Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health. “We’d like to thank all of the students and teachers who participated and helped to deliver our health message!”

New Jersey students in grades 5-8 were eligible to submit posters, while students in grades 9-12 were eligible to submit either posters or videos. The public voted for their favorite entries from March 26 through April 8.

To learn more about vaccinations, visit the New Jersey Department of Health’s website: http://www.nj.gov/health/cd/vpdp.shtml.

The University of Alabama

Lily Stadler of Dayton was inducted into the University of Alabama's Anderson society in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The Wardlaw+Hartridge School

Edison resident Annie Gu, a seventh-grader at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison, performed with the Central Jersey Music Educators Association Middle School Honors Band on April 21 at Monroe Township High School.

This is a group consisting of outstanding Central New Jersey Region band students, nominated by their band directors. The 109-piece symphonic band played a challenging repertoire including "Quintology" by Richard Meyer.

Gu, also a pianist who performed in the recent W+H Spring Music Recital, played flute with the CJMEA Honors Band.

Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders

The winners of the 2018 Union County Arbor Day Poetry Contest were presented resolutions recently by Union County Freeholder Chairman Sergio Granados and Freeholder Linda Carter. They were joined by Union County Engineering, Public Works & Facilities Management Director Joseph Graziano, Union County Bureau of Shade Tree and Conservation Bureau Chief James Kelly and Shade Tree Advisory Board Secretary Barbara Knapp.

The fifth grade winners of the 2018 Union County Arbor Day Poetry contest are pictured with county freeholders; left to right are Isabella Charles, first place from Evergreen Elementary School in Plainfield, James Parrillo, second place from Winfield School, and Kelis Cureton, third place from School #1 in Linden.

The winners are: Fourth grade: First place, Jasline Sanguilan, Jerome Dunn Academy #9 in Elizabeth; Second place, Max Yaeger, St. Bartholomew Academy in Scotch Plains; Third place, Frances Studer, Holy Trinity School in Westfield.

Fifth grade: First place, Isabella Charles, Evergreen Elementary School in Plainfield; Second place, James Parrillo, Winfield School; Third place, Kelis Cureton, School #1in Linden.

Sixth grade: First place, Ana McCabe, Orange Avenue School in Cranford; Second place, Jonathan Shafer, Winfield School; Third place, Lana Szenasi, Orange Avenue School in Cranford.

Seventh grade: First place, Camyn Mottley, Winfield School; Second place, Conall Gorman, Oratory Prep School in Summit; Third place, Kelly Troczynski, Holy Trinity School in Westfield.

Eighth grade: First place, Oaul Castro, Lincoln School in Garwood; Second place, Cecilia Listo, Winfield School; Third place, Amdiah Montes, Duarte-Marti School #28 in Elizabeth.

This event is sponsored by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders in cooperation with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board.

Student and School news appears Fridays. Email:hntmetro@mycentraljersey.com