NJ students: Megan Corby receives scholarship
The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy has announced that the Ryan Patterson Memorial Scholarship has been awarded to Megan Corby of South Amboy.
The Ryan Patterson Memorial Scholarship was established several years ago in honor of the late 27-year-old Metuchen Branch YMCA swim coach and mentor, Ryan Marie Patterson. The recipient must strive for excellence in academics, sports or the arts. In addition, they must demonstrate that they have made an impact in their community through volunteer work, a service project or other means, live by the golden rule, have influenced others in a positive way and advocated for others who are less fortunate. The scholarship award is $2,000, which can be used to fund the recipient’s higher education cost.
Corby attended Sayreville War Memorial High School, where she was very active in several club and societies including Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions, International Society, Light Crew, Sound Crew, FBLA, National Honor Society and National Hispanic, Math, English, Science and Art Honor Societies. She also served as president of their SADD club for two years and vice president of the Student Council. During her time outside of school, Corby identified a lack of athletic programs for special needs children in her town. To address this, she created a program for special needs children in their local little league called the Challenger Division, where she served as president for four years.
“Watching the smiles on the athlete’s faces when they hit the ball off the tee or heard the cheers from their friends gives me an indescribable feeling of joy”, Corby said. “I feel blessed to be able to witness their accomplishments whenever they step foot on the field.” She is also a member of the Girl Scouts where she earned her Religious, Silver and Gold Awards.
Corby is attending Monmouth University, where she is studying education and speech pathology.
Kenilworth Public Schools
Longtime educator Samantha Heimple recently joined the Kenilworth Public Schools as director of Curriculum, Instruction & Innovation.
Heimple will wear a few hats in her versatile role. She will work behind the scenes to ensure that classes in Kenilworth schools align with all the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. This work will also bring her side by side with teachers to support classroom-level practices. Heimple will also be responsible for providing professional development for all the staff in the district.
Heimple is no newcomer to education; she has been in the field for more than 20 years. As a teacher, she worked with every age range, from infants to college-bound high school students who wanted to go into teaching. Heimple has held leadership roles as an instructional supervisor and a principal.
“I am really looking forward to bringing together all aspects of curriculum work and professional development so that our students can grow and learn in deep and meaningful ways.” said Heimple. “I’m really excited and honored to be a part of Kenilworth school district. I am entering the district at an exciting time where the focus is being placed on supporting future-ready teaching, learning, and innovation.”
Heimple’s positive energy and experience will be invaluable to Kenilworth as it strives to enhance the way its students learn. Her goal is to collaborate around new and exciting ideas and initiatives to continue moving the district forward.
“I'm excited to welcome Sam to the Kenilworth community. Sam's proven track record of improving student achievement and supporting teachers to develop their professional practice will help continue the momentum of Kenilworth schools,” said Superintendent Kyle Arlington.
Mount Saint Mary Academy
Renee Vozza of Westfield, a senior at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, continued her volunteering efforts at Jardine Academy in Cranford, a school of special education that helps children with multiple disabilities, this summer.
“I have been volunteering at the Jardine Academy since I was in middle school. I work both closely with the Principal administratively, helping decorate for special events, creating inspirational bulletin boards, and even helping with their prom and graduation,” said Vozza.
“Wherever the Principal needs me, I am there helping her. I also spend a lot of time in the classroom with the students, reading, playing, and supporting their educational program. Every day is a new experience, supporting the students in their daily lessons ― whether it's going to the library to pick out books, or going to the school store to learn how to exchange money. I have learned so much about physical therapy, occupational therapy, etc. while working with them as well,” she said.
“The children I have met along the way have impacted me in ways I never would have imagined. The faculty are incredible people to be working with and I have created close relationships that will last a lifetime," said Vozza.
At Mount Saint Mary Academy, Vozza is president of the student council executive board, co-president of the Spanish club, a member of the peer ministry leadership team, and captain of the varsity soccer team.
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Also: Marina Cialdella, a senior at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, attended Ithaca College’s summer Music Academy for voice from Sunday, July 10, through Saturday, July 23.
There, she participated in the select choir, where she rehearsed and performed musical theater, gospel, and other music pieces while studying with faculty to expand her musical knowledge base.
“Attending this prestigious program was the highlight of my summer. I was surround by so many talented musicians and learned a lot from them,” said Cialdella, a Branchburg resident. “I was able to sing in front of my peers and receive feedback from them that helped me grow in my vocal skills and abilities. I also made friends outside of the choir and had a great time with them. There were also several activities at the end of each day where we were able to get to know each other. And then at the end of each week, we would perform for the whole group. It was such an amazing experience and I really wish to go back next year.”
At Mount Saint Mary Academy, Cialdella is a member of the Grace Notes choral group, drama club, and swim team. She also participates in Broadway classes at Gotta Dance in Bridgewater, and she is a member of the Bridgewater Tide Swim Team. In the fall, she will be a cantor at Blessed Sacrament Church in the Martinsville section of Bridgewater.
Also: Elizabeth Roper, director of college counseling and AP Coordinator at Mount Saint Mary Academy in Watchung, said four students have been recognized by the College Board for specific achievements.
Olivia Encarnacion of Plainfield, Madelyn Sampson of Holmdel, and Brittany Santamaria of Plainfield have received the National Hispanic Recognition Award. Zoe Daly of Piscataway has earned the National African American Recognition Award.
They earned this recognition because of their academic achievements at the Academy and their outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, and/or AP Exams. The College Board said, “They’ve accomplished these milestones during an immensely demanding period of their high school career.”
“Congratulations to our students who have qualified for these College Board National Recognitions. We are proud of Brittany, Madelyn, Olivia, and Zoe for receiving this honor and the many other contributions they make to the Mount Saint Mary Academy community,” said Roper.
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School
Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School (TEECS) in the Somerset section of Franklin Township started the 2022-2023 school on Wednesday, Sept. 7 with a lot of excitement and fun.
All K-12 students were very excited to come back to school.
There were lots of surprises for kindergarten students. They had a petting zoo inside the playground, they got a chance to pet the animals and feed them as well.
Meanwhile, the other section of kindergarten students were lined up for face painting and balloon sculpting.
Westfield Public Schools
Rising Westfield High School 12th grader Ryan Williamson was accepted into the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) National Choir. Williamson first had to be accepted into the All-State ensemble (where he placed first in Bass 2 in New Jersey), before auditioning for the National Choir. The national audition consisted of learning a prescribed piece and submitting a video of a prepared solo. Williamson will be performing with other students from around the country this November in National Harbor, Maryland. "The highly regarded All National Honor program is comprised of the nation’s most accomplished high school musicians who have vied for the opportunity to rehearse and perform in a one-of-a-kind national honor program,” the NAfME writes on its website.
Also: There were smiles and hearty greetings as Westfield Public Schools staff gathered for an Opening Day ceremony on Thursday, Sept.1, and prepared for the return of students on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Superintendent Dr. Raymond González welcomed teachers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, custodians and other staff members, including 21 new educators who have joined the school district. González expressed his appreciation for the hard work that took place over the summer to prepare for the new school year and for the important work still to come.
That work, he told the group, includes engaging the Westfield community in a strategic planning process to establish common goals and objectives that will provide a clear path to move the district forward and providing clear, timely, and factual information regarding the 2023-2024 district operating budget to ensure an informed electorate when they go to the polls next April to vote on the school budget.
González said the district also will continue its focus on student achievement with an eye toward developing and implementing consistent practices across schools, content, and grade level, as well as deepening districtwide practices and programs involving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Also on hand to welcome the staff on Opening Day were Board of Education President Brendan Galligan and Westfield Education Association President Kim Dickey.
On Tuesday, Sept. 6, staff members spent a full day participating in professional development sessions that included grade level and content-specific cohorts, curriculum articulation and mapping, special education training, and workshops by Imagine, a Center for Coping with Loss that focused on grief education and the many definitions of loss.
On Tuesday, Aug. 30, and Wednesday, Aug. 31, the 21 new staff members attended a two-day, in-house orientation as part of the New Staff Institute (NSI). The NSI is a two-year program designed to support first-time educators and those who are new to the district. The comprehensive program is organized by Human Resources Specialist Barbara Ball and her staff, along with a leadership team of Westfield educators.
“These are just a few of the ways in which our staff has prepared for the 2022-2023 school year,” said González. “We are eager and ready for a productive year and, as always, look forward to supporting our students in a learning environment that is safe and engaging.”
Student and School news appears on Saturdays. Email: cnmetro@mycentraljersey.com
Carolyn Sampson is Executive Office Assistant for the Courier News, The Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com, and handles the weekly Student News page.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ students: Megan Corby receives scholarship
