The Tirumala family NORTH BRUNSWICK – The Township Council presented several proclamations to community residents at itsMay 19 public meeting.
First, TisyaMavyram, a student at LinwoodMiddle School, will participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee inWashington, D.C., onMay 29 and 30. She was one of 10 million students who entered the 2008 contest, and is one of 275 students to advance to the final round. She is also the first student in 20 years from North Brunswick to win the chance to compete.
Then, Elks Youth Activity Week was mentioned, noting the contributions of Elks Lodge No. 2370 in East Brunswick. The first week of May is Youth Week, when youths participate in community-service programs. The purpose is to promote education and Americanism, while teaching teens to be productive, responsible citizens.
In keeping with the spirit of teenagers, the Elks will hold a fundraiser in honor of Jon Mustafa, 18, and Lesley Carness, 16, who were killed in a car crash in East Brunswick in April 2007. The money will be put toward a scholarship in their names at East Brunswick High School. The event will be held June 14 at the Elks’ Oakmont Avenue lodge.
Jasmine Walker Next, Jasmine Walker was honored as the May Scholar Athlete/Artist award recipient. Walker is a high honor roll student at Linwood and has straight A’s. She was named the most valuable player on the Linwood and U-14 travel soccer teams. She has been playing the violin since the third grade, is a first-degree black belt in karate and enjoys dancing, reading, cooking and being with her family.
Finally, the Celebrate North Brunswick Committee honored the Tirumala family for raising over $6,000 for the North Brunswick Public Library. Rishi Tirumala, a sophomore at North Brunswick Township High School, organized an Indian cultural and educational night in which percussion instruments andmodern and classical jazz dances were performed.
“We try to merge connectivity into the recipients of the proclamations, and this family [is a perfect example] of connectivity within our township,” said committee Chairman John Albert. “You can see that volunteerism is contagious within their household.”