The Noontime Optimist Club of Freehold announced the winners of its annual fishing derby, held on June 5 at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township. The awards for the most fish caught went to Anthony Amalfitano, 7-8 age group, and Andrew Berkowitz, 11-13 age group. Awards for the largest fish caught went to Emily Szczechowski, ages 7-8; Dana Stevens, ages 9-10; and Connor Moore, ages 11-13. Tow fishing rods and a tackle box were donated by Wal-Mart, and Old Country Buffet donated treats and coupons.
Collier H.S. receives gift card for technology
Collier High School, Marlboro, was one of 1,200 schools across the United States to receive a $2,500 gift card from Best Buy through its te@ch awards program that recognizes and rewards schools that make learning fun by integrating interactive technology into the curriculum. Collier High School will use the funds to enhance the learning experience for students in its advanced technology and media classes.
The tech class gives students a chance to repair computers and learn networking, Web site design and various software programs as well as develop individual projects. The class plans to produce music videos. The media class, which covers newspaper, radio broadcast and television production, will produce a video yearbook for the school. Collier High School is an alternative education facility that serves 150 students from public school districts in Monmouth and surrounding counties.
DeBows Church to hold
vacation Bible school
DeBows United Methodist Church, Jackson, will offer a vacation Bible school Aug. 22-26 from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Classes will be available for ages 2 years through adult, and the community is welcome to attend. The theme is “The Circle G. Ranch.” The church is at the corner of Route 571 and Route 537. To register, call (732) 928-4475.
Local animal welfare
group joins Petfinder.com
Manalapan Friends of Homeless Animals, Manalapan, has joined Petfinder.com, an online database of homeless pets. More than 8,000 animal welfare organizations in North America post their pets on Petfinder.com. Manalapan Friends of Homeless Animals pets can be viewed on the Internet at http://petfinder.com/shelters/NJ405.html.
Once visitors to the site find a pet they are interested in, they contact the shelter where it is housed. Each animal welfare group has its own policies and handles its own adoptions. Last year the site helped 1.5 million pets find new families, according to a press release from Petfinder.com. In addition to the listing of adoptable pets, Petfinder.com offers a library of pet-related information, message boards and other features.
Eighth-graders await big night FREEHOLD — Freehold Intermediate School students will take the first step toward young adulthood when they receive their diplomas during eighth grade graduation ceremonies June 21.
The 7 p.m. commencement for 126 graduates will be held in the school gymnasium.
An address of welcome will be given by Student Council President Nilbeliza Castro and will be followed by “Reflections” by graduate Molly Picard.
Principal Nelson Ribon, who is completing his first year at the school, will address the students. Ribon will also present the school’s Teacher of the Year Award to Diane Quade.
Ribon is also expected to present the students of the 2005 graduating class. Superintendent of Schools Philip J. Meara and members of the Board of Education will present the graduates with their diplomas.
After the diplomas have been received by the students, the graduating class will march out of the gymnasium to the recessional hymn “Pomp and Circumstance.”