Millstone board salutes efforts of pupils, parents

MILLSTONE — As the 2014-15 school year winds down, students in the Millstone Township K-8 School District were honored at a recent meeting of the Board of Education.

Millstone Township Primary School pupils who were winners of the Earth Day contest were Vincenzo Baldino, pre-K, first place; Tyler Peters, pre-K, second place; Nicholas Romeo, Kindergarten, first place; Sophia Alvarado, Kindergarten, second place; Madeline Corsaro, Kindergarten, third place; Alfred Basile, first grade, first place; Samantha Shearer, first grade, second place; John Breslin, second grade, second place; Gianna Di Bari, second grade, third place.

Honorable mention for the Earth Day contest were presented to primary school pupils Lucas Menar-Hohily, Ethan Bailey, Cody Ponzio, Jolena Levy, Jack Grau, Dominic Baldino, Avery Lee, Lorenzo Sanchez, Madison LaMonica and Eric Danze.

The Earth Day poster contest winners at the Millstone Township Elementary School for third grade are Emma Janusko, first place, Christabella George, second place, and Anthony Pado, third place. Winners in fourth grade were Natalie Merkel, first place, Kyleigh Allen, second place, and Nicole Rubino, third place. Fifth-grade winners were Laura DePinho, first place, Antonio Aprile, second place, and Talia Hanson, third place.

Honorable mention went to Riley Brown, Izzy Tonielli, Olivia Lomma, Lee Schanck, Anthony Lotruglio, Joseph Rundella, Hunter Del Guercico, Jacob Minch, Nora McManus and Nichole Fowler.

Winning best overall for the Earth Day poster contest was Keira Kohler, third grade.

The elementary school winner for the New Jersey Scoop was Kyleigh Allen, fourth grade.

Millstone Township Middle School pupils were recognized for their essays. Victor Cappuzzo came in second place for his essay, “What is Your Biggest Challenge to Paying Full Attention in Class?” Victoria Cagnetta received honorable mention for her essay, “What More Can Be Done to Stop Bullying?” Giovanna Caratenuto received honorable mention for her essay, “What Song Best Represents You or Your Lifestyle?”

Honorable mention was awarded to Julie Diaz for “What is Your Favorite Movie of All Time?” and to Taylor Eng, who wrote two essays, “What Can Be Done to Make Math More Interesting?” and “What More Can Be Done to Stop Bullying?”

Sean Mulligan was recognized by the Future Problem Solvers Club at the middle school.

In wrestling, Ryan Iosim placed fourth in the Mercer County Tournament and Jared Fotheringham also placed fourth.

Avid readers at the middle school were recognized: Collin Applegate, Daniel Mazur, Austin Zagorski, Michael Ragosa, Willow Lugo and Manny Papaterpou.

Students at the middle school who received the “Top Physical Challenge – 100 Percent Performance” honor were Alexis Adamo, Tara Bernstiel, Victoria Cotilla, Jamie Crowe, Danielle DiSilvestro, Amanda Fierro, John Kuchar, Katlyn Wagner Miller, Noelle Moser, Angelina Napolitano, Madison Regina, Allison Schmid, Garett Silverman, Gabrielle Skowronski and Jillian Winston.

Parents also received recognition from the school board and district administrators.

Trish Bogusz, the principal of the primary school, presented awards to the PTO Executive Board for the primary and elementary schools to Natalie Biello, Erin Wagner, Mary Beth Shocks, Colleen Italiano and Julia Maltese.

Parents of primary school pupils who were recognized were: Cynthia Bailey, a member of the Board of Education who was thanked for organizing and participating in positive events; Melissa DeRose, who was recognized for arranging classroom activities; and Christina Baldino, who was recognized for being thoughtful and going above and beyond in helping to organize activities.

Parents of pupils at the elementary school were recognized: Kristin Morris, for taking photographs and organizing activities, and Valerie Raff, for acting as class coordinator, sending out emails and purchasing classroom supplies.

Parents who were literacy volunteers at the elementary school were recognized: Elizabeth Rizzo, Cheryl Seigel, Raquel Tonielli and Melissa DeRose, who was the only volunteer to work at the primary school as well. Maria Wagner was recognized as a literacy volunteer at the primary school.

Kathy Lentino was recognized for serving 25 years as classroom coordinator at the elementary school.

Tami Kokot received an award for organizing class parties and snacks for the entire year at the elementary school.

Kristin Saker was thanked for donating flowers to the National Junior Honor Society at the middle school and for making a generous donation during a drive to assist a Millstone family that lost its home to a fire.

Nikki Caine was honored for her efforts as a library volunteer at the middle school. She made weekly visits to the library for the past four years even though she does not have children in the school district.

Michele Stillwell received an award for serving as a library volunteer and for providing promotional support at the middle school.

PTSA members who received recognition were Michele Stillwell, Kristin Saker, Michele Bomba, Lisa Pado, Candace Colonna-Borgese and Jody Dona.

The Millstone Township Foundation for Educational Excellence Board received awards: Nicole Pyhel, Beth Cotler, Coleen Raccuglia, Kristin Schloss, Jennifer Pratt and Tori Sikkema.

Awards were presented to chairs for PTO events: Theresa Marsicovetere, Susie Grau, Sylvia Dimino, Kristin Schloss, Maria Spadacinni, Christine Baczkowski, Jodi Dong, Eileen Sandor, Melissa DeRose, Tara DiBari and Colleen Eckhardt.