The Center for Holocaust Studies at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, has announced the 40 winners of its “Luna Kaufman Writing and Art Contest,” in which more than 500 students statewide in grades five through 12 participated. Entry categories were original writing, original artwork, and performing arts. Each winner received a $50 U.S. savings bond. The local winners are: Karen Baldwin and Kim Daniello, Eatontown; Danielle Derchin, Fair Haven; Rashadd Kelly, Long Branch; Andrew Gilson, Joey Boganin and Mordechai Labaton, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township; Carlyn Wefer, Giana Truax and Kelsey Fisher, Ocean; Marielle Cartagena, Red Bank; Shelly Deroski, Rumson; Melissa Hochman, Shrewsbury; Emily Kless and Marguerite Mauterer, Wayside section of Ocean Township; and Emily Fineberg, West Long Branch.
The Monmouth County Division of Employment and Training and the Workforce Investment Board recently held an awards ceremony for the 26 graduates of the Home-Based Distance Learning program. The program was designed to help county residents that are former welfare clients stay off welfare. Graduates must complete an intensive online curriculum of between 24 and 30 courses in one year’s time. Some of the courses include health care, customer service, child care, basic office skills, human resources and information technology.
Local graduates were Nancy Gisleson of Red Bank, and Ayana Gibson and Robin Mason, both Eatontown.
David Scholl, West Long Branch, has earned a bachelor of arts degree in both Spanish and mathematics, and was honored for academic achievements at the spring commencement exercises at Providence (R.I.) University. Scholl earned a 4.0 grade point average all four years and was the highest-ranking senior at the school. A member of the liberal arts honors program, he also achieved the highest academic record in both his majors.
Lafayette University, Easton, Pa., announced that the following local students received degrees at the spring commencement exercises:
Jennifer Patricia Boxer of Ocean, a bachelor of arts degree in mathematics;
David Charles O’Neill of Red Bank, a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering;
Elizabeth Washburn Laird of Rumson, a bachelor of arts degree in psychology;
Veronica Elizabeth LaMura of Shrewsbury, a bachelor of arts degree in international economics and commerce; and
John Gerhart Landon of Shrewsbury, a bachelor of arts degree in government and law, cum laude.
Leilani O. Cruz, Wayside section of Ocean Township, a sophomore at Red Bank Catholic High School, was recently chosen to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum in Medicine July 17-26 in Philadelphia. Students are chosen for the forum based on their academics and leadership.
Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown, announced that the following local residents have received Gold Star awards:
Rich Carr and Chris Sita of Eatontown; Marie Travers of Oceanport; Jeeter Singh of Ocean; and Kim Stefanski of Red Bank.
The awards are bestowed annually on Brookdale staff, faculty and students for outstanding contributions to campus life.