Student news: Hunterdon Odyssey of the Mind team honored by Zwicker
Members of the Hunterdon County Library Odyssey of the Mind team were recognized for their achievements during a June ceremony at the statehouse in Trenton.
The team came in second place at the 2017 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, an international educational contest designed to instill in youngsters an excitement about creative problem solving.
“Critical thinking and problem solving are skills we must foster and applaud in New Jersey’s young people, who will be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker (D-Hunterdon/Mercer/Middlesex/Somerset) during the ceremony. “Members of the Hunterdon County Library Odyssey of the Mind team have proven themselves to be exceptional and rigorous scholars, and they have brought pride and distinction to their families, their community and this state.”
The Hunterdon County Library team was among dozens of teams from around the globe that competed in their category during the finals, which took place from May 24 to May 27 at Michigan State University.
Under the guidance of coaches Amy Arcurio and Eric Gorky, the team further distinguished itself by being one of just four teams out of more than 800 to receive the prestigious OMER’s Award for Exceptional Talent in acknowledgement of their remarkable artistic and technical skills. Members of the team include: Madalyn Arcurio, Chris Babbert, Alex Bentley, Dominique Ryalls, Abby Siniscalco and Emily Siniscalco.
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Bridgewater-Raritan: John K. Kennedy Primary School
For the third straight year, students at John K. Kennedy Primary School in Raritan Borough took on, and beat, the challenge to read for one million minutes. This past school year, they read for 1,165,181 minutes, according to a school news release.
The theme for this year’s challenge was Superhero Readers.The challenge kicked off in October, as a huge community event. Community Superheroes, such as firefighters, paramedics,police officers, school superintendent, principal, as well as Raritan Mayor Charles McMullin read to the students during an evening filled with fun, games and treats for the students.
Then on June 6, first-graders in the school shared their books at the 2nd Annual Author's Café. After sharing samples of their writing and an inspirational song together, students, families and faculty were invited back to the classrooms to read the stories, poems and nonfiction research prepared by the students this year. Children also illustrated their work and included a dedication page and an author bio!
Centenary University
The members of the Enactus Team from Centenary University in Hackettstown proved that they are a force to be reckoned with then the team finished as one of the top 48 teams in the USA at the National Competition in Kansas City, Missouri. Out of the 457 active Enactus teams dispersed throughout various colleges and universities within the USA, this win gives the team the bragging rights of finishing in the top 10% of active teams in the nation. In addition, the team placed in the top spot at one of the six Regional Competitions which provided them the opportunity to advance to the National Competition.
Enactus is an international organization that connects student, academic, and business leaders through entrepreneurial-based projects that empower people to transform opportunities into real, sustainable progress for themselves and their communities.
The team also won a grant from Robert Wood Johnson for further development and marketing of their chemo wear jacket called Chiforce Wear.
The final step of the Enactus program is an annual series of competitions that provides a showcase for teams to present the results of their projects and be evaluated by business leaders serving as judges. The national champion from each of the contending countries then meet at the Enactus World Cup to gain the world title.
Delaware Valley Regional High School
Delaware Valley High School’s superintendent is one of more than 3,000 nationwide who have signed the Future Ready Schools pledge.
At the heart of this initiative is the certainty that digital technology will be a part of students’ futures, so things like iPads and smartboards need to be “as commonplace in schools as paper and pencils have been,” explains Del Val Superintendent Daria Wasserbach.
Future Ready Schools is a public- and private-sector effort that includes such players as Apple and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. In New Jersey it is coordinated by N.J. Institute of Technology, with the support of the state Department of Education, the PTA, the Association of School Business Officials and the N.J. Education Association.
The idea is to create standards for measuring future readiness, and for future-ready schools to help lagging schools to catch up. “We think we're well on our way, although there's always room for improvement,” Wasserbach said.
Del Val was the first high school in Hunterdon County, and one of the first in the state to issue each student an iPad, thereby achieving a better-than 1:1 ratio of students to computers. “But it’s more than just having the technology,” Wasserbach said, “It’s how you use it, too.”
In January, a team from Del Val attended a two-day conference in Newark hosted by NJIT. “We were asked to join the certification task force, and now we have members on the three committees that are focusing on leadership, instruction and technology,” Wasserbach said.
At a follow-up meeting in May, the “indicators” or criteria for Future Ready certification were agreed upon so that participating schools can work toward the first round of certification.
Del Val established a 20-member certification team, which did a self-evaluation, gathering data and figures to submit to NJIT for review and consideration. In October at the fall conference of the N.J. School Boards Association the list of certified schools will be revealed.
If Del Val is deemed Future Ready, another district could travel to Hunterdon for advice, Wasserbach said.
As the effort progresses, various levels of certification, such as bronze, silver and gold, could be established to measure and recognize achievement, and to encourage school districts to reach higher, she said.
“Future Ready Schools addresses just one aspect of education, but it is a vital one,” Wasserbach said. “We have the challenging job of preparing our students for whatever comes next – college and careers. But many of those career pathways don’t even exist yet. So how do you prepare? By teaching critical thinking, problem-solving and collaboration, and using the wonderful technology that is readily available.”
Knights of Columbus St. Joseph Council award scholarships
Joseph Council 10627 in High Bridge recently awarded scholarships to seven high school graduates: four at St. Joseph Parish, High Bridge, and three at St. John Neumann Parish, Califon. Recipients were Annemarie Gregory, Ashley Gallagher, Claire Ayotte and Jonathan Raefski in High Bridge and Alexa Johnson, Morgan D'Avella, Samantha Brynildsen in Califon. Additionally, the St. Joseph Parish Altar-Rosary Society and Holy Name Society awarded a scholarship to Noel Waldron. All eight recipients were outstanding scholars and participated in school, community and parish activities.
Noel Waldron was president of the Voorhees High School German Club and captain of the Varsity Track and Field team. Waldron will attend Rowan University and major in advertisement and marketing.
Annemarie Gregory graduated from Voorhees High School, participated in Family Career Community Leaders of America, was a Foreign Exchange host and participant, and was a member of many clubs. She will enter the University of Notre Dame where she will major in engineering.
Ashley Gallagher attended Bound Brook High School where she participated in Peer Leadership, National Honor Society, Varsity Softball, and various clubs. She will attend St. Bonaventure University and will major in journalism and communication.
At Voorhees High School, Claire Ayotte participated in PACT, Drama Club, Show Choir, Unified Basketball, and Unified Track. She will attend Towson University and major in early childhood education.
Jonathan Raefski participated on the Voorhees High School Soccer Team, was a member of the National Honor Society and a member of Together We Are One. Jonathan worked with the summer recreation program helping with soccer camps and will attend Bard College.
Voorhees High School, Alexa Johnson was a member of Key Club, Bible Club, Math Honors, Science Honors, World Language and National Honor Society. She received the Diocese of Metuchen Youth Award in 2016. Johnson will attend Virginia Tech majoring in animal and poultry science.
Morgan D’Avella is another student who has provided service to her school, church, and community. She is an emergency medical technician for Lebanon Township, and has supported a variety of other community programs. She will attend Rowan University and major in nursing.
Samantha Brynildsen participated in the Voorhees High School Show Choir and Drama Club. She is a teen leader in Showkids invitational Theater, and participated in different community volunteer efforts. She will attend The Boston Conservatory and major in musical theater.
St. Joseph Council awards are Joseph F. Labuta Memorial Scholarships in honor of late brother Knight, Joe Labuta, who was instrumental in organizing the council’s original scholarship program.
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
The following Central Jersey residents at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania were named to the spring dean's list: Courtney Leigh Bennett, Morganne K. Bennett of Hillsborough, Robert Anthony Bondura of Branchburg, Anne Caroline Bonnefoi of Basking Ridge, Jessie Brady of Glen Gardner, Matthew B, Cohen of Bridgewater, Sarah Dagnall of Pittstown, Olivia P. DiMeglio of Skillman, Jessica Helen Dorf of Clinton, Grace Elizabeth Fusciardi of Frenchtown, Brianna Rose Graziano of Berkeley Heights, Kevin Alexander Gruning of Ringoes, Isabella Helriegel of Lebanon, Kevin W. Kaminski of Branchburg, Brianna Lynn McCabe of Flemington, John Ryne Morrison of Berkeley Heights, Christopher Nealon of Lebanon, Sara Lizabeth Nicotra of Manville, Kyle James Pabon of Lebanon, Emily Petras of Bloomsbury, Jaclyn Pillinger of Hillsborough, Alyssa Riker of Milford,Chelsea Papera Valderas, Kathleen M. Whalen, Peyton A. Williams of Flemington. Student must have a grade-point average of 3.60.
Lasell College
The following Central Jersey residents at Lasell College in Newton, Massachusetts, were named to the spring dean's list: Megan Kohlweck of Manville and Skylar Diamond of Raritan. Students must have a grade-point average of 3.5.
Lawrence University
Max Lavery of Princeton received a bachelor's degree with a major in classics, magna cum laude from Lawerence University in Appleton, Wisconsin.
Lehigh University
The following Central Jersey residents at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, were named to the spring dean's list: Julia Nelson, Victoria Lai of Basking Ridge, Alexandra Pizzuto, Kristin Prati, Tucker Sommi, Jake Blecher, M. Delaney McCaffrey, Mark Schafer of Belle Mead, Noah Marcus, Sarah Cohen, Ethan Frohman, Ryan Lewis of Berkeley Heights, Nicole Behany of Bernardsville, Kelly Jacob of Bloomsbury, Christopher McTernan, Melanie Winkle of Branchburg, Rafael Fernandez, Thomas Troxell of Bridgewater, Quinn Furnald, Kristen Baker, Annaliese Cunniffe of Califon, Daniella Fodera, Katherine Jennison of Clinton, Yelena Kudryashova, Jackson Cooney of Fanwood, Julia Pressler, Rose Morrissey of Far Hills, Zachary Neumann, Adam Baurkot of Flemington, Danielle Williams, Michael Maguire of Franklin Park, Lauren DiNapoli, Alec Douglass, Robert Axelsen of Glen Gardner, Yin Luo of Green Brook, Alfonso Alburquerque, Luke Bernick of Hampton, Kevin Wyckoff of High Bridge, Megan Olivola, Kelsey Repinec, Michael Ricca, Keith Calvaruso of Hillsborough, Dario Sabidussi of Lambertville, Elizabeth Flynn of Lebanon, Christopher Geissler, Scott Skripko, Christina Mueller of Milford, Megan Laguardia of Mountainside, Dylan Karchere-Sun, Matthew Herwig of Princeton, Justin Glock, Alyssa Riporti, Jackson Cochran-Carney, Jonathan Kriney, Kevin Fleck of Scotch Plains, Tyler Sudol, Rachel Spielholz, Madison Hoff, Sarah Boyer of Skillman, Michael Whang, Stephen Friedman, Melanie Ting, Evan Riddell, Palmer Ferrara of Warren, Matthew Enslin, Rachel Fan, Melanie Grycan, Kyle Kristiansen, Olivia Mobarakai, Meghan Reilly, Alison Krakauer, Griffin Mooney, Juliette Smith,Lauren Busardo of Westfield, Korey Finn of Whitehouse Station. Students must have a grade-point average of 3.6.
McDaniel College
The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, this spring:.
Matthew B. Boyle of Westfield, bachelor's degree in history also was named to the spring dean's list with highest honors.
Cary Evan Rakin of Warren, bachelor's degree in political science.
Also: The following students was named to the spring dean's list: Gene Schaedel of Annandale, honors; Kelly Anne Novak of Millington, honors; Jacqueline Cristine Fahrenholz of Scotch Plains, honors.
North Plainfield High School
The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) announced that Rosario Jordan Freire of North Plainfield received a 2017 AATF Outstanding Senior in French Award. This award is made annually to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of French as well as exceptional commitment to the French language and the many cultures where it is spoken. Recipients must have completed at least three years of French study at the time of graduation and be non-native speakers of French. Jordan Freire has completed four years of French study.
Raritan Valley Community College
The Raritan Valley Community College Testing Center has received “Test Center Certification” by the National College Testing Association (NCTA). Certification criteria is is based on the NCTA Professional Standards and Guidelines, which were developed to guide post-secondary test centers in the delivery of quality testing programs.
RVCC was praised for maintaining high test administration standards and for providing excellent service to a wide variety of students and community members.
The RVCC Testing Center conducts admissions, placement and competency testing for the College in such areas as ESL, English and Mathematics, foreign languages and technological competency. It also administers make-up exams and tests for online courses. The Testing Center provides services to the community as well, proctoring tests such as CLEP, DSST and High School Equivalency. Visit www.raritanval.edu/admissions-information/testing-center.
Readington Township Middle School
Levendis awards were presented on June 13 to Readington Middle School winter and spring athletes who demonstrated leadership, sportsmanship, commitment, spirit, and positive attitude, while displaying the most service to their respective sport. The award is named after Andrew Levendis, the school’s first athletic director, and encompasses all of the attributes that Levendis stood for and demanded of his athletes.
Following by sport are the students who received this honor at the recent award ceremony: Boys Basketball: Connor Hercek and Brian Johansson; Girls Basketball: Riley Cooper and Mackenzie Lalor; Wrestling: Jared Van Veldhuisen and Brennan Wyckoff; Baseball: Evan Icangelo and Jake Merken; Cheer: Hailey Goncalves; Softball: Lea Kosinski and Heidi Schoderbek; Track: Laurel Kurtz, Suzy Lacombe, Jack Nothnagel, Jacob Romanek, Madison Wallace-Guy, and Matthew Zarzecki; Girls Lacrosse: Kate Ducoff and Paige Gibson; Boys Lacrosse: Ryan Kurtz and Jared Van Veldhuisen
Quinnipiac University
The following Central Jersey residents at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, received their degrees this spring:
Alexander Occhiogrosso of Basking Ridge, bachelor's degree in entrepreneurship/small business management
Sarah Post of Basking Ridge, bachelor's degree in nursing
Annmarie Pirone of Bound Brook, bachelor's degree in biology
Kellie Huff of Branchburg, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Toni Santillo of Branchburg, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Jill Berlant of Bridgewater, bachelor's in marketing
Kate Bruckman of Fanwood, bachelor's degree in sociology
Lia Gordon of Fanwood, bachelor's degree in journalism
George Mitilenes of Far Hills, bachelor's degree in public relations
Andrea Salerno of Flemington, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Nicholas Malinousky of Gillette, bachelor's degree in computer information systems
Michael Carroccia Jr. of Green Brook, bachelor's degree in management
Bryana Cruz of Green Brook, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Alan Curtis of Green Brook, bachelor's degree in computer information systems
Sara Jess of Hillsborough, bachelor's degree in nursing
Brianna Nork of Hillsborough, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Stephen Sharo of Hillsborough, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Aynsley Gilbert of Lebanon, bachelor's degree in athletic training
Kaite Wirth of Lebanon, bachelor's degree in marketing
Matthew Tinnirella of Mountainside, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Jillian Van Pelt of Pittstown, bachelor's degree in psychology
William Wheatley of Pittstown, bachelor's degree in finance
Chizoma Chima of Plainfield, bachelor's degree inhealth science studies
Nicole Staropoli of Raritan, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Kelly Millar of Ringoes, bachelor's degree in behavioral neuroscience
Kristen Sullivan of Ringoes, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Paige - Ashley Campbell of Scotch Plains, bachelor's degree in behavioral neuroscience
Isaiah Green of Scotch Plains, bachelor's degree in finance
Michael Marsan of Scotch Plains, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Robert Mrozek of Scotch Plains, bachelor's degree in management
Jonathan Nanna of Scotch Plains, bachelor's degree in marketing
Marc Shlissel of Scotch Plains, bachelor's degree in film, video and interactive media
Douglas Cassetta of Warren, bachelor's degree in Finance
Justin Glazier of Warren, bachelor's degree in computer information systems
Julian De Oliveira of Watchung, bachelor's degree in accounting
Julia Ceasrine of Westfield, bachelor's degree in health science studies
Tracy Kwok of Westfield, bachelor's degree in finance
Robert Margolies of Westfield, bachelor's degree in finance
Christopher Tillson of Whitehouse Station, bachelor's degree in health science studies.
Susquehanna University
The following Central Jersey residents at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, were named to the spring dean's list: Andrew Bloom of Frenchtown, Caroline Henderson of Berkeley Heights, Holly Johnston of Summit, Andrew Keller of Warren, Terry Lark of Summit, Marc LeDrappier of Warren,Joanna Mizak of Glen Gardner, Anthony Santulli of Bridgewater, Eric Soranno, Steven Weidlich of Watchung, Bianca DiTrolio of Ringoes,Alexa Iannitelli of Asbury, Kailyn Reilly of Scotch Plains, Ryan Carter of Bridgewater, Rachel Lambert of Fanwood. Students must have a grade-point average of 3.4.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
The following Central Jersey residents were inducted in The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society: Alyssa Steele of New Providence initiated at Salisbury University; Caitlin Lake of Whitehouse Station initiated at Salisbury University; Caroline Leahy of Scotch Plains initiated at Salisbury University; Cooper Sciascia of Cranford initiated at San Jose State University;Erin Seiffert of Glen Gardner initiated at United States Naval Academy; James Reynolds of Westfield initiated at United States Naval Academy; Mackenzie Matheny of Ringoes initiated at Salisbury University; Megan Smiley of Somerset initiated at Salisbury University; Rachel Lisk of Bridgewater initiated at Salisbury University; Samantha Meade of Milltown initiated at Kean University; Thomas Cocca of Bridgewater initiated at Salisbury University.
The Wardlaw-Hartridge School
As part of an ongoing initiative of the Green Team at The Wardlaw-Hartridge School in Edison, students in the Biology Honors classes took on the challenge of building a rain garden in an under-utilized area on campus. The reason this area was so useful for this project was due to the runoff that travels throughout the area from the top of the buildings after rain, which will now be utilized as the main hydration system for the garden.
University of Hartford
The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees from the University of Hartford:
Cristen Bailey of Franklin Park, bachelor's degree in psychology
Alexa Joachim of Bridgewater, bachelor's degree in nursing and health professions
Kelly Blochlinger of Green Brook, bachelor's degree in nursing and health professions
Nicole Laskowski of Bridgewater, bachelor's degree in nursing and health Professions,
Dharmishtha Dhaduk of Piscataway, bachelor's degree in nursing and health professions.
Troy Solt of Hillsborough, bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering
Ashley Visconti of Bridgewater, bachelor's degree in sculpture
Sydnee Leopardi of Princeton, associate's degree in science
University of the Sciences
The following Central Jersey residents at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania received their degrees:
Brinoy Patel of Franklin Park, bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical and healthcare studies
Sunita Jani of Flemington, bachelor's degree in health science physician assistant studies
Anokhi Shah of Somerset, bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical and healthcare studies
Anika Fanlo of Green Brook, bachelor's in pharmaceutical and healthcare studies, member of Alpha Lambda Delta, National Honor Society for first-year students. magna cum laude.
Ariana Abes of Branchburg, bachelor's degree in pharmaceutical and healthcare studies, member of Alpha Lambda Delta, National Honor Society for first-year students.
Also: Spring dean's list: Gabrielle Jakub of Westfield, Brittany Rickard of Basking Ridge, Hemali Patel, Karishma Patel, Sameer Akhtar, Shivsai Gongalla, Teja Ghanta of Princeton, Brinda Rajan, Tanvi Desai of Bridgewater, Alexandria DePasquale of Flemington, Khushbu Patel, Namarta Kalia of Franklin Park, Joseph D'Uva of Lebanon, Angela Chen of Martinsville, Aimee Estrellado, Jay Patel of Piscataway, Ami Patel of Raritan, Parth Patel, Pooja Patel, Shanaya Patel, Tejumade Akande, Vibu Udayaraj of Somerset, Taylor Parajon of South Plainfield, Varun Venugopal, Keerthana Akkisetty of Basking Ridge, Elizabeth Mohan of New Providence, Olivia Delorenzo, Michelle Marzolini, Lindsay Scala of Hillsborough. Students must have a grade-point average of 3.4.
Visiting Nurse Association of Somerset Hills
The Board of Trustees of the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) of Somerset Hills has awarded its 2017 Nursing Scholarships to Jada Edwards of Somerset, and Sophie Henderson of Peapack-Gladstone. Both students plan to pursue baccalaureate degrees in nursing and have received $1000 scholarships to help finance their education.
Jada Edwards, graduated from Franklin High School, will be attending the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. Deeply moved by her grandfather’s decline and death from Alzheimer’s disease, and her work as a volunteer with the Somerset County Adult Day Center, Edwards plans a career working with older adults to help honor and remember the connection she and her grandfather shared.
Villa Walsh Academy graduate, Sophie Henderson, also plans to attend the School of Nursing at University of Pennsylvania. Following her experience shadowing a nurse practitioner at Sutter Memorial Center in Sacramento, California, Edwards has developed an interest in becoming a member of a neonatal nursing team.
“The VNA of Somerset Hills congratulates these exceptional students on their accomplishments, and is proud to support their decision to pursue a rewarding career in nursing,” said Dan Powell, President and CEO, VNA of Somerset Hills. “We applaud their enthusiasm for the healthcare profession and interest in caring for members of the community across the continuum, from newborns to older adults.”
Woman's Club of Tewksbury Township
On June 13, the Woman's Club of Tewksbury Township conducted its last meeting of the 2016-17 year at Trump National Golf Club. The Presidents Luncheon is a club tradition at which all former presidents are recognized. As is traditional, the club also presented its annual scholarships to the winning recipients.
The recipient of the WCTT Education Scholarship was awarded to Jennifer Page of the Lebanon section of Tewksbury. Page, who graduated from Voorhees High School, was forced into home schooling due to severe migraine headaches when she was a sophomore. After undergoing surgery for an implanted neurostimulator her life changed. She joined the Tewksbury First Aid and Rescue Squad, became a certified EMT and has spent more than 1,100 voluntary hours helping Tewksbury residents in emergency situations. She is the recipient of the 2017 Chief's Award. She will attend Rutgers University to pursue a five-year master's program in biomedical engineering.
The Dotty Gaal Memorial Scholarship, which has been awarded for five consecutive years, was given to Erica Zack of Lebanon, Also graduated from Voorhees, she received a varsity letter in Track and Cross Country, earning the title of "captain" in sports in her senior ear. Zack was member of the Math Honor Society, and is a volunteer coach of seventh- and eighth-grade sprinters for the Hunterdon Hawks Track Team. She will attend North Carolina State University where she, too, will work toward a degree in biomedical engineering.
Student and School news appears Fridays: Email:cnmetro@mycentraljersey.com