Nicholas Ryan, left to right, Julianna Marsh and Rina Thaker presented Mayor Richard Pucci with a cake in 2007 as part of a third-grade project. PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSEPH HARVIE MONROE — One of the final official visits to Mayor Richard Pucci’s office included a delicious treat from three Monroe Township High School (MTHS) seniors.
Students Rina Thaker, Nicholas Ryan and Julianna Marsh brought Pucci a cinnamon cake they made using a recipe they created when they were in the third grade at Mill Lake School on Monmouth Road in 2007.
“We had to come up with the recipe from scratch in third grade and we came in and shared the cake with the mayor,” Rina said. “So, we thought it would be nice to make the cake again and share it with the mayor before he leaves office.”
The students were joined by their former third grade teacher, Bethanne Augsbach.
“I still remember the original cake they made eight years ago,” Augsbach said. “It took a lot of attempts to get to the final recipe. Some of the first tries were like hockey pucks and others just didn’t work at all. But that was the point of the project: to get the children to think critically.”
Monroe Township High School students Rina Thaker, far left, Nicholas Ryan, second from left and Julianna Marsh, second from right, along with their third grade teacher Bethanne Augsbach, far right, present outgoing Mayor Richard Pucci, center, with a cake based off of one they made in 2007 as part of a third-grade project. Pucci was happy to spend time with the students during his final weeks in office.
“I can’t think of a more enjoyable visit as I close my tenure as mayor,” Pucci said. “We have some incredible students here in Monroe and it has been my pleasure to watch so many of them grow into fine adults.”