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Student news: Hands-on learning focus of Westfield school's STEAM event

Staff Report
@MyCentralJersey
McKinley Elementary School’s fifth Annual STEAM Night on Jan. 18 drew more than 360 people and engaged students in hands-on learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Among the 26 stations was one with Dr. Bob Finn, a McKinley father, and his daughter, Katie Finn, a McKinley alumna who now attends Edison School in Westfield.

McKinley Elementary School’s fifth annual STEAM Night took place on Jan. 18, and drew more than 360 students, parents, and community members.

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, and the evening featured themed stations geared toward these disciplines. This year, there was a record number of stations — 26 in total — that covered a range of topics and offered hands-on learning.

The event was sponsored by the PTO and was no cost to McKinley families. There was a donation box at the door. Through the generosity of the parents, the event pays for itself each year.

At one station, four master gardeners from the community presented on hydroponics, rain gardens, seed importance, and tree identification. John Evangelista, of Happy Harvest Hydroponic Farms said he “really enjoyed meeting with families and students who showed such interest and asked great questions.” 

The Rahway Valley Sewage Authority was there to discuss the importance of keeping our water system clean, while students from the Westfield High School Robotics Club and Mount St. Mary Academy in Watchungs shared their passion for robotics.

The Westfield Education Association sponsored a station where children were able to plant their own seeds and take them home to nurture.

McKinley parents also hosted stations. Topics included: Carbon Dioxide Chemistry; Vortex; By Sea or Air; Ice is Nice at the Sublimation Station; How the Brain Works; and All Fall Down — Making Amazing Domino Runs.

For the time, McKinley even had a station run by two of its students, Michelle Gawkoski (fifth grade) and Karolina Gawkowski (third grade). They wowed the crowd with their 'Slime-ology' presentation. 

“This year we had the most stations we’ve ever had,” said Valeri Sewald, the founder and lead organizer of the event. “Parents and students loved the variety, from coding and straw rockets to hot chocolate science and glow in the dark rocks!”

If you have a subject you are interested in presenting next year, contact Sewald at mckinleysciencenight@gmail.com.

The event also included a STEAM Night poster contet. On Saturday, Feb 10, contest winners were honored by Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle. The posters were themed to help mother nature stay healthy. The honorees were:

First grade: Laila Mehmedovic, winner; Julia Thorburn, runner up.

Second grade: Jane Glavin, winner; Brody Ferguson, runner-up

Third grade: Eric Yang, winner; Anthony Contreras, runner-up

Fourth grade: Brandon Smith, winner; Emmy Christansen, runner-up

Fifth grade: Gabriella Mercado, winner; Micaela Gensler-Canale, runner-up.

Winners will be hung in the gym foyer and the remaining entries will be hung in the gym by grade.

~ Submited by Rachel Peachman

 

Assumption College

The following Central Jersey residents at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, were named to the fall dean's list: Marc Monks of Annandale and Tressa Novack of Scotch Plains. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5.

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Castleton University

Susan Pipolo of South Plainfield was named to the fall dean's list at Castleton University in Castleton, Vermont. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5.

Cedar Crest College

The following Central Jersey residents at Cedar Crest College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, were named to the fall dean's list: Aimee Sarboukh of South Bound Brook, Tomey'cia Scott of Piscataway. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.65.

Dean College

The following Central Jersey residents at Dean College in Franklin, Massachusetts, were named to the fall dean's list: Emma Chabot of Milford, Kelcie Haver of Green Brook, Benjamin Klitenick of Bridgewater, Samantha Panek of Somerset, Alexandra Roden of Princeton, Mathew Tazbin of Westfield.

Delaware Valley High School

Delaware Valley High School will be adding two new career-path “academies” this fall: Agriculture and Visual and Performing Arts.

Del Val’s emerging “academies” include career pathways in Theater, Biomedical Science and Visual Art. (At left) Jordan Reina stars in last year’s musical, “9 to 5”; (top right) biomedical students investigate the death of the fictitious Garcia; and teacher Josh Paul admires a chair made last year by Justin Fiaschetti that straddles the line between the fine and practical arts.

There are already three academies up and running at the high school: Engineering, Biomedical Science, and Computer Science and Software Engineering. In addition, an International Studies Academy is being developed to debut in 2019-20.

As it was explained at the Jan. 22 school board meeting by Superintendent Daria Wasserbach, this initiative aligns with the Delaware Valley’s vision, mission and strategic plan. “As the only district in the county to be certified as a Future Ready School – NJ, we continue to seek innovative learning opportunities for our students. These academies are part of Del Val’s commitment to best prepare students for life after high school, whether they are entering the workforce or continuing on to higher education. In fact, some of the academy courses can yield college credit,” she said.

About three dozen teachers served on an ad hoc academy committee, which was divided into several subcommittees. Their efforts reflect the results of a poll done last fall on the interests of students in grades 9-11.

The first step on the Agriculture career path will be Intro to Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources. Math teacher Judy Warmingham, who chairs the ag subcommittee, explained that as students progress, their interests will influence whether Del Val will teach “farming from the plant side, or from the animal side or from the agribusiness or from the technology, there are so many different options to choose from.”

Warmingham said that during senior year students would participate in a capstone project and be “encouraged to go out and work with the resources in the area.”

The Arts academy chairman Kyle Tinnes outlined the three arts pathway:- Music, Theater, and Visual Art. 

Music would offer four years of Concert Band or Concert Choir, plus Intro to Music History & Theory, AP Music Theory, and Music Technology.

Theater will start with Intro to Musical Theater, and go on to Stagecraft (building sets), Dance, American Drama, Advanced Musical Theater, and a Senior Seminar.

Visual Arts will begin with Fundamentals of Art, and also offer 2D and 3D Design, Wood I, Graphic Design, AP Studio Art, and AP Art History.

The Engineering Academy got underway this school year with Principles of Engineering Design, and will add Civil Engineering & Architecture for next year.

Biomedical Science began this year with an introductory course and is adding Human Body Systems for next year.

The computer academy was developed in conjunction with Hunterdon Polytech, but starting next year Del Val will launch its own program, beginning with the first course in the program sequence, Computer Science and Software Engineering. Del Val will roll out the remaining three courses in the sequence one at a time as a new offering each year.

Under Del Val’s academy model, students won’t necessarily have to commit to a career path while still in eighth grade; they can decide to take academy courses later on.

The academies are designed to help students discover and pursue rewarding careers. In order to make these opportunities more widely available Del Val has set tuition for out-of-district students that takes advantage of the synergy achieved by sharing already-fixed costs. The 2017-18 annual cost for parents is $8,000 for the first student and $6,000 for any additional student.

Delaware Valley University

Rocky Hill resident Domonique Thorne, a student at Delaware Valley University  in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, participated in the LeaderShape Institute that recognized nationally as one of the premier leadership development program for college students.

ALSO: The following Central Jersey residents were named to university's fall dean's list: Rebecca Laritz of Flemington,Taylor Cox of Stockton, Sarah Fenwick of Hillsborough, Tracy Homann of Clinton, Sara Rountree, Bonnie Kwasnik of Stockton, Katie DeAngelo of Lambertville, Lacey Kappus of Milford, Taylor Waldman of Hillsborough, William Mavrode of Ringoes, Amelia Vanden Berghe of Milford, Steven Horvath of Princeton, Julia Switzer of Skillman, Christopher George of Piscataway, Benjamin Philhower of Princeton, Madison Colon of Flemington, Kaliope Vaporakis of Hillsborough, Barbara Follett of Branchburg, Timothy Lallis of Gladstone, Amanda Lake of Somerset, Bryce Steckroat, Carly McKenzie of Flemington, Rachel Epstein of Bloomsbury, Hannah Ford of Bridgewater, Efharis Vaporakis of Hillsborough. 

Denison University

Elizabeth Higley of Lebanon was named to the fall dean's list at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.7

DeSales University 

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees from DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania on Jan.20: Kevin Caruso of Lebanon, master's degree in health care management; Robert J. Lawler of Middlesex, master's degree in accounting.

Dunellen: Faber School

On Jan. 17, Faber School's fourth- and fifth-grade bands and choir dazzled the audience with an impressive concert.

Faber School Choir members with our very own snowman.

The night began with Terri Anastasi leading the bands in their winter concert.  ome of the selections included: “Twinkling Stars” by Mozart, “Percussion Rap,” “We’re On A Mission To Rock!” by Steve Hommel, “Magna Carta March” by John Edmondson and “Frosty the Snowman” by Nelson & Rollins. According to Anastasi: “the students worked hard and demonstrated how a band works together.”

After an intermission, Karl Geiger brought out the choir. The students were accompanied by Julia Kauffman. The students sang a variety of songs including: “Yo Vivo Cantando” by Jay Althouse, “I Hear America Singing by Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse, and “Frozen (Choral Highlights)” arranged by Mark Brymer. According to Geiger, “The students enjoy coming to choir and sharing their musical talent with their families and friends."

At the end of the concert the audience and students were entertained by Faber Schools Staff Choir. The staff sang “Winter Wonderland” arranged by James Rooker. 

Emerson College

The following Central Jersey residents at Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, were named to the fall dean's list: Tea Kingley of Warren, Sawyer Phillips of Plainfield, Anthony Genetti of Califon, Colleen Risavy of Basking Ridge, Joseph Paladino of Bedminster, Rachel Cantor of Berkeley Heights, Paige Ervin of Berkeley Heights, John Lynch, Victoria Nagy of Princeton, Alexandra Jakubowski of Skillman, Alec Martinez of Stockton, Parker Hughes of Annandale, Meredith Okamoto of Flemington, Lauren Schlenker of Hillsborough, Hannah Gluckman of Pittstown, Julianne Bianciella of Raritan, David Goodliffe, Micaela Dix of Whitehouse Station.  Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.7.

Endicott College

The following Central Jersey residents at Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts, were named to the fall dean's list: Charles Goulburn of Basking Ridge and James Nehlig of Princeton. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5.

Franklin Woman's Club Scholarship

This spring, the Franklin Woman’s Club anticipates awarding approximately five scholarships at $1,000 each to assist with college expenses. According to a news release, the club has awarded approximately $50,000 in scholarship money over the years to eligible graduating high school women.

To be considered for the 2018 Franklin Woman's Club scholarship, the young woman must: Reside in Franklin Township (Somerset County); graduate high school in the spring of 2018; be accepted to a two- or four-year college.  

Completed scholarship application and supporting documents (recommendation letters, transcripts, etc.) must be delivered to the applicant’s School Guidance Counselor by Tuesday, March 27, or postmarked by March 27, if applying by mail.

Those interested in applying should visit www.franklinwomansclub.com for the application and submission process details. 

For more information about Franklin Woman’s Club events, philanthropic and other initiatives, visit www.franklinwomansclub.com. Or go to www.facebook.com/franklinwomansclub.  

Furman University

The following Central Jersey residents at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, were named to the fall dean's list: Alice Chen, Bryan Colhoun, Colin Frawley and Amanda Herrup of Princeton. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.4.

Geneva College

The following Central Jersey residents at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, were named to fall dean's list: Paige Wintermute of Annandale and Taylor Jacobus of High Bridge. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.6.

The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School celebrates 10th Anniversary.

Kent Place School

On Wednesday, Jan. 10, The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School (EIKPS) in Summit celebrated its 10th anniversary with a gathering for faculty, staff, parents, students, trustees, alumnae, and friends. More than 100 people came together in the Kent Place Upper School Great Room for the event.

The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School was founded in May of 2007 with Dr. Karen Rezach, Kent Place Middle School director, as its head. Rezach’s Middle School ethics elective was the source of inspiration for establishing this unique institute.

“I was becoming increasingly concerned about ‘education’ in our society — what we were teaching but, more significantly, what we were not teaching,” Rezach said. “In our incredibly competitive society, so much emphasis was being placed on the product of education and not the process — what grade did you earn rather than what did you learn? What do you memorize rather than what did you think?

Over the past decade, the ethics curriculum has expanded. Currently, there are Middle School ethics elective courses. Ethics is also incorporated in the fifth-grade LEAD program, as well as Middle and Upper School Health and Wellness courses. Additionally, juniors participate in a mandatory Ethics Seminar. The Ethics Institute also has a series of signature programs mentioned below.

“Around the time I first got involved in the Ethics Institute through an elective in the seventh grade, I began to notice situations that I couldn’t so easily place into the boxes of right and wrong,” said Kent Place senior Sophie Huttner. "I am so thankful that Dr. Rezach, and the Ethics institute, were there to give me the framework and vocabulary needed to go about the study of ethics.”

“Right now, I find myself constantly reminded of the importance of ethics. This especially with the rising “call-out culture” we are seeing today, where individuals are empowered to stand up for doing the right thing,” added Sarah Barry, Kent Place Class of 2016 and sophomore at Cornell University. “Now more than ever is a critical time to be educating young women on ethics so that one day they may have the confidence to say hard things like: ‘this is not what our company values,’ and ‘this is not the right way to be doing business.’ ”

The program was rounded out with remarks by alumna Anna Fountain ’13; trustee, Ethics Advisory Board member, and past parent Nancy Reynolds; and a presentation of gifts to Dr. Rezach, led by Middle School Dean Neisha Payne.

The Ethics Institute at Kent Place School also has offered a range of summer enrichment programs, and has expanded to offer professional development and programming to outside schools and teachers. Visit http://www.kentplace.org/ethics.

Le Moyne College

Jack Vajda of Clinton was named to the fall dean’s list at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, New York. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.5 or above.

The Woodglen School in Lebanon Township needed 39 rounds in order to choose this year’s champion, Becket Thomas. The competition was fiercely contested by runners-up Cassandra, grade 6, and Matthew Avallone, grade 8.  The brother and sister pair represented the school's last year’s champion and runner up respectively.  Seventh-grader Katherine Glass and eighth-grader Joseph Avallone rounded out our top five. Becket will represent the Woodglen at the regional bee in Northampton, Pennsylvania. The spelling bee is run by James Peralta, Enrichment Teacher. Pictured (left to right):  Katherine Glass, Cassandra Avallone, Becket Thomas, Matthew Avallone, and Joseph Avallone.

Lebanon Township: Woodglen School

ALSO: On Thursday Jan. 18, Woodglen Middle School conducted its annual National Geographic Geography Bee in the school's Preforming Arts Center. This year 36 eighth-, seventh- and sixth-grade students qualified for the competition. The third-place winner was seventh-grader Kate Glass, the second-place winner was eighth-grader Jacob El-Zahr, and the school champion was eighth-grader Billy McGlynn. Billy is now eligible to to qualify for the state bee and possibly even nationals where the grand prize is a $50,000 scholarship and a trip on National Geographic Expedition. The geography bee is run by James Savakis, sixth-grade social studies teacher.

Left to right, Kate Glass, Billy McGlynn, Jacob El-Zahr.

McDaniel College

The following Central Jersey residents at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland, were named to the fall dean's list: Jacqueline Cristine Fahrenholz of Scotch Plains, highest honors; Jacob Elias Fine of Lambertville, high honors; Gene Schaedel of Annandale, honors. Students must achieve the following grade-point averages: highest honors, 3.90; high honors, 3.70-3.89 and honors, 3.50-3.69.

Muhlenberg College

The following Central Jersey residents at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, were named to the fall academic honor roll: Jordan CimringZachary Cimring of Scotch Plains, Travis Crawford of Milford, Kevin Irving of Westfield. Student-athletes must be a sophomore or higher in class standing and carry at least a 3.40 grade-point average.

Paul Smith's College

Frank Smith of Gillette was named to the Yankee Small College conference's fall 2017 all-academic team. Student-athletes with a grade-point average of 3.2 and above are eligible for the honor. 

Roger Williams University

The following Central Jersey residents at Roger Williams University in Bristol, Rhode Island, were named to the fall dean's list: Daniella Alva of Piscataway, Juliette Caffrey of Berkeley Heights, Gregory Decker of Basking Ridge, Amanda Espinoza of Scotch Plains, Rachel Gliniecki of Bloomsbury, Jacob Grant of Flemington, Caroline Keane of Scotch Plains, Kristen Lepore of Berkeley Heights, Alyssa Murray, Darian Napodano of Green Brook, Samantha Painter of Whitehouse Station, Gianna Rosello of Scotch Plains, Taylor Stillwell of Basking Ridge, Loukas Varas of Ringoes. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.4.

Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University

Jordan A. Martinez of Hillsborough, received a doctor's degree of medicine from Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia on May 23, 2017. He is currently a resident of internal medicine at The University of California San Diego Medical Center. 

Somerset County Vocational & Technical Schools

On Saturday, Jan. 13, nine students from the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School’s Model United Nations Club attended their first conference, hosted by the Bridgewater Model United Nations club.

SCVTHS students, Jack Scala of Califon, Shanaya Sood of Hillsborough, Sanya Ravoori of Hillsborough, Seejal Padhi of Bridgewater, Natasha Mody of Martinsville, Krishna Mody of Martinsville, Nidhi Banker of Branchburg, and Harrinee Senthilkumar of Bridgewater attended the conference and served on the following committees: the World Health Organization, the Economic and Social Council of the UN, the Arab League, and the Special Political and Decolonization Committee.

“The club's delegates invested hours of their time writing position papers, opening statements, speeches, and researching foreign policy; their devotion extended beyond the classroom on Saturday when they spent almost ten hours applying their research in the form of diplomacy,” said Social Studies Instructor Dr. Louise Tokarsky-Unda.

During the opening ceremony, a speaker from the United Nations gave a presentation about the U.N.'s progress in 2017, and what its intended purpose is, giving all students involved a greater insight into the role of the United Nations in global security.

The University Akron

Fangfang Sun of Bridgewater received a master's degree in science statistics in the fall of 2017 from The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio.

University of New Hampshire

The following Central Jersey residents at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire, were named to the fall dean's list: Coleman Schultz of Warren, with honors; Theophile Nkengfack of Plainfield, with highest honors; Madeline Auerbacher of Gladstone, with highest honors; Sam Kowal of Asbury, with honors; Brian Brown of Flemington, with high honors; Jessica Taylor of Flemington, with high honors; Meredith Parvin of Hillsborough, with highest honors. Students must achieve the following grade-point averages: highest honors, 3.85; high honors, 3.65 to 3.84. 

University of New Haven

The following Central Jersey residents at the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut were named to the fall dean's list: Sean Kennedy of Belle Mead, Catherine Cinque, Sarah Todoroff of Branchburg, Justin MacMath, Amanda Pappas of Bridgewater, Modupe Williams of Flemington, Matthew Wentz of Glen Gardner, Taylor Hoyda of Hillsborough, Brianna Hill of Milford,  Ariel Brown of Plainfield, Stephen Handy, Angela Rastelli, Michaela Sullivan of Scotch Plains, Matthew Lind of South Plainfield, Alexander Mezzomo of Westfield, Robert Ruiz of White House Station.

University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College

Christine Arcoleo of Bridgewater was named to the fall dean's list at the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in South Bend, Indiana. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.67.

Wesley College

Keroll Newby of Plainfield was named to the fall president's list at Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 4.0.

Westfield Public Schools

Eight Westfield High School students achieved the highest score possible on the Dec. SAT and ACT standardized tests according to recent reports received by the school, bringing the total of perfect scores reported so far this school year to 42. The recent top ACT scorers include:  Lauren Greenspan – Reading, Jared Greenspan – Math, Jeremy Cha – English, Alexander McGrail – Reading, and Ethan Useloff – Math.  Perfect SAT scores were achieved by Austin Chen – Math, Edward Xing – Math and Tomas Taaffe – Literature.

ALSO: Westfield High School’s Model United Nations Club won the Outstanding Delegation Award for excelling in all parts of the annual conference held in Hershey, Pennsylvania January 5 to 7. Approximately 2,000 students from 80 schools in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware were in attendance. The Westfield delegation of 181 students participated in wide-ranging debates that were the culmination of months of research and preparation. Many Westfield High School students received individual recognitions, including:

Westfield High School’s Model United Nations Club won the Outstanding Delegation Award for excelling in all parts of the annual conference held in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Jan. 5 – 7.

Meghan Johnson, Nicholas Guerrerio, Austin Chen, Justin Joseph, Luke Mizus, and Sara Ward were recognized as top debaters and named Premier Diplomats. 

Meghan Johnson, Briana Vaca, Chloe Beaulieu, Matthew Arndt, Inna Gorelik, and Jackson Price received an award for the Outstanding Country Research Paper. 

Acknowledged for an Outstanding First Year were Cat Valencia, McKenzie Smith, and Liam Dougherty.

Officers for the Conference included Suranya Turimella, Evan Gruters and Marisa Li.

Officers elected for next year’s Conference who will plan, organize and run committees are Tomas Taaffe, Brianna Vaca, Andrew Zanfagna, Austin Chen, Justin Joseph, Luke Mizus, and Julia Colleran.

This summer a Conference on National Affairs will take place during a two-week conference in North Carolina with representatives from all 50 states. Westfield High School will be represented by Meghan Johnson, Luke Mizus and Evan Gruters.

The Westfield High School program is run in conjunction with the Westfield YMCA.

Westfield students tackle forensic science challenge at country event.

ALSO: Twenty-two Westfield students participated in a day of investigation held at Union County College on Jan.8.  The students, who are enrolled in the gifted pull-out program in Westfield, joined more than 100 sixth-graders from other public school districts in the county at the event organized by Westfield teacher Esther J. Van Riper, a long-time member of the Union County Gifted and Talented Association (UCGTA).

“The students were introduced to Forensic Science, the FBI, and CSI work by two FBI special agents from New York, Agent Shawn Mullen and Agent Sam Lockery,” explained Van Riper. “After the students became familiarized with 'The Case of the Missing Millionaire’ in the College Student Center, they broke out into smaller groups in classrooms where they were given time to observe two identical crime scenes. Next, the students conducted forensic labs to evaluate the evidence found at the scene of the crime to make multiple direct connections to the suspects who committed the crime and to solve the case.”

The purpose of the UCGTA events is for identified gifted and talented students from the various schools in Union County to meet and to work together. 

Wilkes University

The following Central Jersey residents received their degrees from Wilkes University in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania on Jan. 21: Sean Grundy of North Plainfield, Quinn Kelly of Neshanic Station, Beverly Levanti of Martinsville, Kevin Russoniello of Branchburg and Deborah Yendrick of Basking Ridge.

ALSO: The following residents were named to the fall dean's list: Christina Gambino of Basking Ridge, Colin Greenman, Taylor Hubiak of Glen Gardner, Dylan O'Connor of Somerset, Daniel VanBrunt of Fanwood, Christine Walsh of Glen Gardner. Students must achieve a grade-point average of 3.4.

Student and School news appears on Fridays. Email:cnmetro@mycentraljersey.com