Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School students in Cristina Perrone’s English classes were recently tasked to complete the Getty Museum Challenge as part of their virtual learning. The challenge requires participants to recreate famous art masterpieces using commonly found household items.
Perrone decided to use the Getty Museum Challenge in her virtual classes as “many students were struggling with the social-emotional impact of the quarantine and I wanted to give them another way of expressing themselves in an enjoyable and creative way. I also thought this was an opportunity to get them moving since they were not getting much activity.”
Perrone often incorporates art and music into her lessons as a way to enrich her students’ understanding of a time and place in literature, while also demonstrating the interconnectivity of human expression across time and cultures. Perrone said, “When I saw this art challenge online, I thought it was a way of sending them on a virtual class trip to a museum and allowing them the choice to connect to any work that spoke to them and reinterpret it in their own way. Students then had to discuss in a Zoom class what drew them to the work and how they recreated it.” Perrone said, “Another aspect of the challenge was for students to look at their environment in a new way. They had to make art from what was available to them in their familiar surrounding, with familiar objects. Many also had to engage the help of their parents, siblings, and even pets!”
Perrone was thrilled with the outcome of the lesson, saying she was “amazed at the creativity of my students. It was astounding to see what students were able to achieve with limited resources — so creative!”
Bridgewater Garden Club
For the past 13 years the Bridgewater Garden Club has presented its Somerset County Vocational-Technical High School Achievement Award to a qualifying student and this year is no exception despite quarantines and closures. This year’s winner is Jennifer Vargas of North Plainfield, an exceptional student, who intends to enter Rutgers University this fall to major in horticulture.
Thoroughly engaged in Vo-Tech’s program she recently completed independent work in Agricultural Business Foundations earning OSHA’s safety certification. Known for working successfully with peers, Vargas led others through a greenhouse plant maintenance project with a local landscape plant nursery. Active in campus activities, she has been involved in Student Council, Future Farmers of America (FFA), and the fall CDE (Career Development Events) competition which included diverse aspects of learning from public speaking to all facets of agriculture. She had also run track and competed in cross country events.
Vargas' interests reach into the community through tutoring elementary school students, teaching American Sign Language, and helping YMCA participants, all the while maintaining part-time jobs at Staples and now at Home Depot.
Earning respect from her peers, from her Agriculture-Science teacher, Eric Fargo, and attaining a 98 in the program for the last two years secured the award for her. Pat Schofield and Barbara Lane of the Bridgewater Garden Club selection committee, were proud to present the $500 award to Vargas.
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New Jersey Human Services
New Jersey Human Services is honoring 12 New Jersey high school and middle school students for their winning entries in the 2020 New Jersey Child Support Teen Media Contest, which celebrated the importance of support from families and loved ones.
Students across New Jersey were asked to submit artistic visual or written portrayals celebrating valuable life lessons and unforgettable memories experienced with people closest to them. Teens enter the annual contest individually or through their school, and winners’ works are featured in Human Services’ Child Support calendar published each year. Winners are chosen based upon their interpretation of the year’s theme.
“We are once again excited by the amazing talents of New Jersey’s students,” Human Services Commissioner Carole Johnson said. “It’s important to engage students in creative outlets that allows them to reflect on the world around them and on the role their families and loved ones play in their lives. I congratulate the winners and all who participated.”
“It is so important to encourage students to appreciate the strength and support they get from their loved ones and to celebrate their talent,” said Deputy Commissioner Elisa Neira. “This is a great opportunity to bring attention to the importance of young people having a strong support system and the role it plays in building stronger families.”
“This contest is one of the ways that we bring attention to New Jersey’s child support program,” said Assistant Commissioner Natasha Johnson, who oversees the Department’s Division of Family Development. “By giving young people a family-related theme to build their art or written work, we are encouraging them to think about their support system and the important role their parents and loved ones play in their lives.”
Winners in the Hand-Drawn/Hand-Painted category for middle schools:
- First place, Mariah Fay, Christopher Columbus Middle School (Clifton)
- Second place, Charlize Diaz, Emerson Middle School (Union City)
- Third place, Esperanza Baquedano, Emerson Middle School (Union City)
Winners in the Hand-Drawn/Hand-Painted category for high schools:
- First place, Kiera Reeves, Piscataway High School (Piscataway)
- Second place, Jesus Calderon, Boonton High School (Lincoln Park)
- Third place, Sophia Lerro, Paul VI High School (Haddonfield)
Winners in the Written Work category for middle schools:
- First place, Ahlam Zalat, Pillars Prep Academy (Edison)
- Second place, Adrian Caballero, Paterson Charter School (Paterson)
- Third place, Brianna Morrishaw, Paterson Charter School (Paterson)
Winners in the Written Work category for high schools:
- First place, Angela Eggie, Ocean City High School (Ocean City)
- Second place, Amy Leon, Boonton High School (Boonton)
- Third place, Daniel Givens, Ocean City High School (Ocean City)
In addition to having their work featured in the 2021 Office of Child Support Calendar, students with winning entries will receive gift certificates and congratulatory plaques acknowledging their achievement. Due to the coronavirus public health emergency, the annual display of winning entries usually held at the State House has been posted online and can be viewed at www.NJTeenMedia.org.
For more information about the New Jersey Child Support program, call 1-877-NJKIDS1 or visit www.njchildsupport.org.
Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey
A group of three South Plainfield sixth grade students will film a television public service announcement this summer delivering substance abuse messages as part of the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s (PDFNJ) annual statewide Middle School PSA Challenge.
Ella Kloby, Giuliana Zazzara and Camila Chavez, from Grant School in South Plainfield, submitted the winning script for the 2020 contest. The 30-second spot entitled, “Cool Things,” stars the students and encourages New Jersey’s youth to live free of substance use. The PSA will air on cable stations across the tri-state area.
The PDFNJ 2020 Middle School PSA Challenge, sponsored by Bridges Networking Group, focuses on the understanding that peer-to-peer messages help children better cope with peer pressure when it comes to substance abuse or misuse.
The program requires New Jersey students in fifth through eighth grades to write a script for a 30-second public service announcement with a substance use prevention message. Judging was based on the prevention message, peer-to-peer relatability, and the ability to produce into a video.
“It is inspiring to see the powerful messages these students created that encourage others to lead a healthy lifestyle free of drugs and alcohol,” said Angelo Valente, executive director for the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey. “The peer-to-peer messages are an important way for middle school children to discuss and combat peer pressure that they may encounter when it comes to trying drugs or alcohol.”
Spotswood High School
Class of 2020 held a virtual graduation on Tuesday, June 23, and will be having a commencement ceremony on Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m at the SHS Football Field. Class of 2020 valedictorian was Kaitlyn Anne Ciak and the salutatorian was April Melody Gorman. One hundred and sixty-four students received their diplomas.
Wardaw+Hartridge School
Members of the Class of 2020 at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison were honored and celebrated at two virtual events this week — the annual Senior Dinner on Monday, June 8, and the new Senior Ovation on Friday, June 12. The Commencement Ceremony has been scheduled for Friday, July 17.
At the senior dinner, Judy Minnium of Scotch Plains, Wilson Huang of Toronto and Sydney Johnson of Piscataway made speeches about the Past, Present and Future, respectively. AJ Massaro of South Plainfield, Student Council president, led a Senior Toast to Parents and Logan D’Amore of Scotch Plains led a Senior Toast to Faculty and Staff.
Students who excelled in their internship and thesis projects were recognized, along with the Global Scholars in the Class of 2020. The senior departmental subject awards for outstanding achievement in academics, athletics and the arts followed.
At the Senior Ovation, faculty and staff members shared greetings, words of inspiration and best wishes in a special tribute to the seniors. The virtual event also included remarks from Andrew Webster, head of school; Bob Bowman, Upper School head, and Ricardo Garces of North Brunswick, senior class president.
Performances included Kallie Schildge of Westfield and Shane Kornecki of Colonia singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" and members of the choir singing, "You Will Be Found."
Senior Awards of Distinction were presented to Ricardo Garces of North Brunswick (W-H Pin), Sydney Johnson of Piscataway (Alumni Association Award), Kennedy Bugg of Union (Parents' Association Award), Camila Fang of Edison (Stevenson Award for Highest GPA), Logan D’Amore of Scotch Plains (Headmaster's Cup) and Kallie Schildge of Westfield (Upper School Head's Award).
Also: The Eighth Grade Class of 2020 at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison completed its Middle School journey during a Virtual Stepping Up Ceremony on Wednesday, June 10.
Andrew Webster, head of school, began his remarks with the announcement of scholar awards to Joanne Ding of South Plainfield and Luke Tan of Edison and achievement awards to Isabella Rovito of Scotch Plains and Hannah Yin of Scotch Plains. Webster also recognized the 13 lifers among this year's eighth grade graduates.
Anushka Dalal of Scotch Plains presented the Streib Cup to seventh grader Shourya Chhabra of Edison. This award is given for the highest achievement in public speaking among sixth and seventh graders. Rovito of Scotch Plains, who won the eighth grade public speaking contest and the privilege to be the speaker at the Middle School Stepping Up Ceremony, delivered a speech about the bittersweet nature of graduation, especially during these uncertain times. She recounted the rapid passing of memorable middle school events and encouraged her peers to keep an open mind as they enter high school.
The presentation of awards followed: Lum Award (Best Female Athlete): Kayla Martel of Winfield Park; Elwell Award (Best Male Athlete): Andrew Kojima of Edison
Service Awards: Anushka Dalal of Scotch Plains, Vanessa Fang of Edison, Andrew Kojima of Edison, Shachee Kumar of Edison, Kayla Martel of Winfield Park, Gbemi Olarewaju of Piscataway, Diya Patel of Iselin, Isabella Rovito of Scotch Plains, and Samia Silver of Rahway.
Student Government Awards: Sarah Alves of Springfield, Anushka Dalal of Scotch Plains, Vanessa Fang of Edison, Kayla Martel of Winfield Park, Gbemi Olarewaju of Piscataway, Timothy Oligino of Westfield, Simrah Razvi of Somerset, Isabella Rovito of Scotch Plains, Samia Silver of Rahway, Luke Tan of Edison, Angelina Walker of South Plainfield, and Hannah Yin of Scotch Plains.
Alethea Marder Pond Award (Fine Arts):Claire Lu of Edison; Alethea Marder Pond Award (Performing Arts):Joanne Ding and Luke Tan; Chandler Award (Highest GPA): Luke Tan; Kilpatrick Award (Best All-Around): Isabella Rovito.
After Ian McElroy read the names of the graduates during the presentation of certificates, faculty and staff members offered congratulations and words of inspiration to the new Middle School graduates.
Also: The fifth graders at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison moved up to Middle School during the Fifth Grade Virtual Moving Up Ceremony on Tuesday, June 9.
The program began with a “Now and Then” slideshow of images, followed by photos of the 26 graduates with their congratulatory yard signs and a rendition of “America the Beautiful,” sung by Sarah Alves of Springfield and Julia Machado of Scotch Plains.
Andrew Webster, head of school, saluted the 16 lifers in the class during his welcome remarks. Silvia Davis, Lower School head, followed with her message, which concluded with a quote from Dr. Seuss reflecting the Lower School graduates are “off to great places.”
Special additions to the virtual program included a series of throwback concert performances from the students in their younger years, and inspirational words from fifth-grade teachers Tim Head and Liz Schultz.
Fourth-grade teacher Ellen Ritz read the names of the graduates as they received their diplomas virtually. The program concluded with a collage of photos set to music by Erin Maciorowski, Lower School STEM teacher.
Also: Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison created 744 pieces of art for a Middle School Virtual Art Show.
Tanda Tucker’s students presented a variety of works, including Art Prescription, Digital Art, Illuminate Letters, Below the Elbows or Knees Paintings, If I Could Be Anywhere Illustrations, Quote Portraits, Cubist Self-Portraits, Sonia Delaunay Prism Watercolors, Chagall Dreams, Alma Woodsey Thomas Abstract Expressionism, Op Art Illusions, Georgia O’Keeffe Drawings, Ribbon Drawings, Color Theory Messages, Steampunk Self-Portraits, Macro Eyes and Sketchbook Drawings.
Also: The Kindergarten Class at The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison shared poems, songs and personal reflections during a virtual graduation ceremony on Monday, June 8. A class of 25 kindergarteners graduated and announced their readiness for first grade.
The program began with students spelling out Kindergarten with each letter signifying a different important word. The students then shared “My Favorite Part of Kindergarten” with a series of homemade video clips. They followed by reciting the poem “First Grade Here I Come.”
Kindergarten teachers Jennifer Geissler and Michele Quinones read the names and virtually presented certificates to the young graduates before the recessional of next year's first graders. Geissler and Quinones offered personal reflections of their year with the students.
Also: The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison inducted 12 new members into the Cum Laude Society in a virtual ceremony held Monday, June 8. Andy Webster, head of school, Dr. Bob Bowman, Upper School Head, Dr. Corinna Crafton, Middle School head, and Gale Goldman, Upper School art teacher led the presentation as faculty and staff who are Cum Laude members.
Senior members Logan D’Amore of Scotch Plains, Camila Fang of Edison, Sydney Johnson of Piscataway, Arun Lakshman of Westfield, Benjamin Wang of Plainfield and Silvia Xia of China lit candles representing Excellence, Justice, Honor and Knowledge and welcomed the 12 new members.
Congratulations to the new W+H inductees: Wilson Huang of Toronto, Sarah Ivanov of Woodbridge, Yuhan Kong of China, April Li of China, Steven Li of China, Sahil Mulji of Edison, Kenneth Shen of Scotch Plains, Noah Apter of Springfield, Ariana Di Landro of Carteret, Anna Razvi of Somerset, Rihan Sajid of Carteret and Neil Shah of Edison.
Also: The Wardlaw+Hartridge School in Edison received a timely jump-start to an important topic — “Inclusive Communities: Race and Identity” — with a special webinar on Wednesday, June 10. This topic will be addressed and explored in great detail at next year’s Upper School Symposium.
Alvin Glimore, Jr., a longtime friend and former colleague of Nicole Nolan, director of Global Scholars and Community Outreach, was the featured speaker on the webinar. Gilmore has more than 30 years of experience in education working as a counselor, coach, classroom teacher, and an administrator in private and public school settings. He is passionate about social justice and educational equity. He believes that it ‘takes a village’ to address the educational disparities that can be found in low-income populations. Gilmore has experience in discussing race and social justice with students as well as adults. He was recently asked to speak at a protest where he currently resides in Oregon.
All interested students, faculty, staff and parents were invited and encouraged to attend this webinar, which was moderated by Nolan, Dean of Students Christine Cerminaro and new Senior Class President Neil Shah of Edison. Additional student panelists who asked questions included Taliyah Williams of Rahway, Natalie Chavez of Plainfield and Andrew Wolff of Scotch Plains.
Westfield Public Schools
At Westfield High School’s annual Awards Night on Thursday, May 28, which was held virtually due to COVID-19, approximately 145 awards were presented to the following graduating seniors:
- FMBA Local 30 Westfield Firefighters Scholarship — Emily Ensslin
- Westfield High School Blue Devil TV Award — Jakob Tannenbaum
- Italian-American Club of Westfield Terry DiFalco Scholarships — Mark Falletta, Julia Gagliardi, Jackie LaMastra, and Theresa Lizzo
- Westfield Young Republican Committee Public Service Award — Patrick Mullen
- John Byrne Memorial Scholarships — Emily Ensslin and Jeremy Kronheimer
- Kathryn Brennan Memorial Award — Paul Romeo
- Katherine E. Cuthbertson Memorial Achievement Awards — Helen Chinn, Ian Gurland, Jakob Tannenbaum, and Henry Vierschilling
- Bruce G. Dunning Memorial Award — Greta McLaughlin
- Edmund K. Faltermayer Journalism Scholarship — Abigail Jarecki
- Mark & Debra Friedman Innovation Scholarship — Samantha Shih
- Ezra Kennedy Memorial Scholarships — William Litchholt, Sara Miller, and Anna Saber
- Dorothy Kirkley Memorial Scholarship — Viggo Jabon
- Lightbridge Academy Scholarship — Lindsay Sherman
- Laurence F. Greene Achievement Awards — Inti Araya and Nicholas Robinson
- The Douglas J. Odenkirk Memorial Award — Inti Araya
- The Franklin School Jake Tooley Scholarship — Sara Saber
- Dr. Derrick Nelson Service & Leadership Award — Kevin Yucetepe
- Spencer Savings Bank Scholarship — Paul Romeo
- The Matthew Thomas Toriello Memorial Award — Sophia Powell
- Adult School Scholarship — Madeline Katz
- Westfield Art Association Award — Sophia Wayner
- Westfield Chapter UNICO National Awards — William Loggia, Andrew Principato, and Demi Tsavekou
- The Westfield Future Achievement Scholarships — Ryjon Burke, Juan Castillo, Roselyne Garabete, and Jack Ruckman
- Westfield Jaycees Scholarship — Anastasia Fowler
- Ailish Campanile Scholarship — Catharine Miller
- The Kelly Mazzucco Scholarship — Mikaela Buoscio
- Barbara Philpot Memorial Spirit Awards — John Czarnecki, Anastasia Fowler, and Roselyne Garabete
- The Barry Judd Memorial Scholarships — Anastasia Fowler and Arthur Robbins-Geller
- Charles Ropars Memorial Scholarships — Gianni Pizzi and Rachel Seigerman
- The Westfield Education Association Scholarships — Ava Feldman, Emma Karp, and William Loggia
- Ann & Victor Frette Memorial Scholarships — Remi Shendell and Jakob Tannenbaum
- Charles E. Brown History Prize Award — Greta McLaughlin
- Westfield PAL Allen Chin Memorial Scholarships — Emma Karp and Paul Romeo
- Westfield PTC Scholarships — Jeremy Kronheimer, Casimir Malak, Remi Shendell, Kevin Vricella-Stokes, and Amanda Wagner
- The Anne & Douglas Yearley Memorial Scholarships — Alana Allen-Jones, Sophia Mirrione, and Amanda Wagner
- Daughters of American Revolution Good Citizens Award — Ava Feldman
Department Awards:
- English Department Award for Excellence in Language — Logan Calder
- English Department Award for Excellence in Literature — Morgan Rollins
- English Department Book Lover's Award — Ava Feldman
- Margaret Dietrich Award — Etan Zeller Maclean
- The Senior Growth & Perseverance Award — Madeline Ripper
- Kelly Mazzucco Journalism Award — Caroline Dwyer
- The Andrew Karp Award — Jessica Schlewitt
- The Gail Trimble Memorial Award — Kathryn Bartlett
- The Buriss Music & MacRitchie Technology Award — Helen Chinn
- Jean M. McDermott Fine Arts Award — Emily O'Connell
- Madeline Wild Bristol Awards — Stephen Park and Brooke Walden
- Rachel Mather Sullivan Scholarship — Libby Richardson
- The Charles Addams Memorial Art Award — Adam Wachtel
- AP Calculus AB Award — Emily Isaacman
- AP Calculus BC Award — Aidan Kilbourn
- AP Statistics Award — Michael Catania
- Calculus Award — Kevin Vricella-Stokes
- Computer Science Award — Hasumi Tanemori
- Discrete Mathematics, Probability & Statistics Award — Anthony Butera
- Seminar in College Mathematics Award — Kurt Hu
- The Les Jacobsen "SBATAI" Award — Tia Lemberg
- Physical Education Award (female — Helen Chinn
- Physical Education Award (male) — Henry Shapiro
- Biology 2 AP Award — Jessica Schlewitt
- Chemistry 2 AP Award — Ian Gurland
- Environmental Science Award — Majeed Assadi
- Exercise and Sports Science Award — Abigael McKinney
- Forensic Science Award — Michael Catania
- I.D.E.A. (Introduction to Design, Engineering and Architecture) — Kurt Hu
- Physics AP Award — Aidan Kilbourn
- Noel and Thelma Taylor Memorial Award — Julia Tompkins
- David M. Hart Science Award — Majeed Assadi
- Growth Mindset Award — Kaleb Amarante
- Model United Nations and Youth and Government Awards — Olivia Conti, Adam Schwartz and Brianna Vaca
- Social Studies Department Award — Madeline Katz
- The Excellence in History Award — Remi Shendell
- Steven Lapidus Memorial Scholarship — Elisa Saint-Denis
- Westfield Foundation Awards — Ava Feldman and Madeline Katz
- Col. & Mrs. Henry Bayard McCoy Scholarships — Anthony Butera and Patrick Mullen
- Excellence Award in Mandarin — Liam Jackson
- Star of Progress in Mandarin Award — Aidan Borges
- Excellence in French Award — Greta McLaughlin
- French Elan Award — Lilly Talmont
- Italian Club Achievement Award — Mark Falletta
- Laura Meierhans Memorial Award — Aidan Kilbourn
- Marc Hardy Memorial Latin Award — Caroline Dwyer
- Spanish Club Academic Achievement Award — John Czarnecki
- Spanish Club Service Award — Abbey Zidel
- Most Outstanding World Language Student — Samuel Ertman
Organizational Awards:
- The Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Service Scholarship — Tyler Devitt
- State Farm "Good Neighbor" Scholarship — Anastasia Fowler
- Mandeville-Rentrop Scholarship — Anastasia Fowler
- Dr. Derrick Nelson Memorial Scholarship — Roselyne Garabete
- Westfield Welcome Club Scholarship — Emily Ensslin
- J. Isabella Dodds Awards — Ethan Ament, David Broughton, and Remi Shendell
- Charles Frankenbach, Sr. Memorial Scholarship — Mary Weber
- Waldron W. Holck and Sydna Holck Eddy Memorial Scholarship — Gregory Claiborne
- Joel P. Langholtz Memorial Award — Jessica Schlewitt
- Peggy H. Lott Scholarship Fund Award — Rachel Saxon
- Frank A. and Margaret R. MacPherson Fund Award — Katherine Hynes
- John S. and Helen Bell McMartin Award — Abigail Jarecki
- Lisa K. Monteleone Memorial Scholarship — Ava Feldman
- Joseph E. Rood Memorial Award — Camilo Cardenas-Caceres
- Justina V. Taylor Scholarship Award — Roselyne Garabete
- Liesja Tortorello “Carpe Diem” Memorial Award — Lauren Oligino
- Westfield High School Distinguished Student Award — Aidan Kilbourn
Also recognized at the virtual Awards Night ceremony, were four recipients of the WHS Teacher/Staff Awards:
- The Above and Beyond Award — Lillian “Gail” Alston, Special Services
- Robert L. and Linda J. Foose Award — Matthew Gironda, Mathematics
- WHS Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award — Suzanne Glynn, Science
- PTSO Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award — Louis DeAngelo, Mathematics/ Project ’79
Student and School news appears on Fridays. Email: cnmetro@mycentraljersey.com
Carolyn Sampson is Executive Office Assistant for the Courier News, The Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com, and handles the weekly Student News page. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
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