NORTH BRUNSWICK — With the end of the school year bringing the happiness that only summer vacation can afford, the township Board of Education brought one last bout of school-related happiness on June 22.
Several students and faculty members were honored with proclamations and awards during the public board meeting.
Third-grader Upsham Naik and sixthgrader Kush Singh were presented with gifts from Mathnasium of Brunswick for their achievement of a perfect score during the National Trimathalon Competition. Both boys received a scholarship for a three-month session this fall at the math-tutoring center. Singh, who placed third in the nation in the competition, also received an Xbox gaming unit, a chess set, a trophy and a check for $500.
Mathnasium is looking to set up scholarships with each of the six township schools.
Matthew Gorelick and Nadia Rivera from Parsons Elementary School were recognized for their finalist position in the P.S. from Aeropostale T-shirt Design Contest.
Wal-Mart was thanked by Principal Bruce Rothenberg for its donation of a basketball set to Parsons Elementary School. Although the school was supposed to receive a Plexiglas, portable court that Pepsi- Cola had donated, the court had been stolen. So, instead, the Wal-Mart in North Brunswick decided to give the school an indoor backboard set.
“They’re part of the North Brunswick community and it’s great to see that relationship,” Rothenberg said.
Fifteen students from the Linwood Lunch Crew were admired for taking time out to teach, socialize, eat and play with students in the Autism Spectrum Disorders program, teaching them positive speech and behavior skills while offering acceptance, tolerance and patience.
Tynan Gardner of Linwood Middle School was congratulated for being one of 250 nominees across the country and only one of 13 to be selected to study in Germany on a full scholarship this summer.
The North Brunswick Township High School spring boys track team was recognized for its 2011 Greater Middlesex Conference White Division co-champion status. They tied with Edison even though they beat their competition, because North Brunswick’s record was 7-1.
“These boys stood up and took the challenge and every single one of them contributed,” said Kevin DiPane, who was named the GMC Coach of the Year for Boys Track. “Track is every other sport’s punishment. … This proves they are [some[ of the toughest men, I guess you could say, at NBTHS.”
Michael Orokos from North Brunswick Township High School was honored for his $1,000 scholarship from MSG Varsity, which he earned by taping various district events during the year for the Cablevision station.
Graduating NBTHS seniors Ryan Shamy and Nick Molnar received gratitude for helping to tape the school board meetings each month.
Catherine Moronta and Debonair Estrada from North Brunswick Township High School received proclamations for being role models at the Dare to Dream Conference at Middlesex County College last month.
Moronta, who has cerebral palsy, read a letter to the crowd that she read during the conference. She said that she is still unable to walk without crutches, and is not able to do what her friends do, but “even though I have this disability it doesn’t stop me.”
She also had a speech delay until she was 8 years old, and said she continues to have trouble speaking, reading and writing.
She said she had disciplinary problems in middle school but that “When I started high school, I realized I needed to change. I started to listen to my teachers, and my grades improved. So, what I’m trying to tell you is we can do anything if we put our minds to it.”
“Thank you … for the courage you showed just sharing your story,” Superintendent Brian Zychowski said after Moronta received a standing ovation.
Finally, the retirees from the past year were mentioned for their ongoing service to the district. Rosemary Anderson, Deborah Bonura, Mary Chester, Barbara Cohen, Arline Lohli, Linda Kahrmann, Linda Koos, Joseph Mitele, Kathleen Moon, Marjorie Mottola, Rita Osak, Norlene Parish, Roxsene Plafker, Marlene Schepise, Joan Segally, Peggy Sica, Randy Solomon, Marjorie Spangler, Elizabeth Tamburino, Darlene Walters and Barbara Weiss are all moving on to the next phase of their lives.
“The good news is that our staff, they’ve contributed, they’ve made a difference in the lives of our students … and lived up to the ideals of what an educator should be,” Zychowski said.
During the June conference meeting, the final grant recipients of the Zastko Realty PeopleWhoMake a Difference award were named: Michelle Mayernick, a special education teacher at the high school; Kerry Maloney, an art teacher at Parsons Elementary; Elizabeth Perryman, the vocal music teacher at Judd Elementary; and Chris Kocsis, a physical education teacher at Livingston Park Elementary. Contact Jennifer Amato at [email protected].