Top Stories
- Details
- Written by NJ NEWS Jersey Reporter
HIGHLAND PARK, NJ--When several months ago I heard Raritan Valley Road Runners (RVRR) member Sonya Slyman use words like “heartwarming” and “soft” to convey how sitting on the club’s scholarship program committee made her feel, I thought it was newsworthy.
“ ‘As I get older, I’m more and more amazed by the younger generation’ ” she told fellow committee members, which originally included two others, of the candidates’ “energy and drive to accomplish things,” Slyman said candidly.
All the applicants had something they brought to the table “beyond their persistence in running,” she added, perhaps showing a bit of that motherly pride to see “the younger” athletes’ overall efforts both in or out of sports, she explained.
“Some really young people are going to lead the charge” for us someday, she added.
And while the names of the first pair of scholarship winners was recently announced, as we neared the Johnson Park Zoo that chili Saturday morning to complete our walk, she repeated that ultimately it may be really hard to make the final decision.
Still, the committee finally did. And club members recently met Sean Castellano, (seen below) one of the first two chosen by Slyman and co-committee member, Beth Alterman, a high school teacher. (Slyman is currently an elementary school teacher and mom.)
Club president Wendy Reed on June 19 excitedly welcomed members to the third-quarter general membership meeting, held in Grove 5.
Castellano, a senior at Immaculata High School, and his father were present. Since middle school, running has guided the student, who feels he’ll run forever, he said. But right now he was set to receive a $1,000 scholarship check.
“So it has been a very long 15-months,” Wendy said to a cluster of club members in attendance, citing the previous general membership meeting last year, also held outdoors after the Saturday group run.
She explained that last fall the club had started a scholarship program, which shaped up quickly, thanking club member Ray Petit “for being the innovator and dragging force behind it.”
You all voted for it last September, she said, reminding members of the newly launched, but long term initiative. Additionally, she acknowledged Slyman and Alterman for doing so much hard work, finally announcing the two educators’ names publicly.
Petit then enthusiastically captured the moment, telling the club it had “finally arrived at [a key] point.”
“This is like a culmination of a dream of our running club, right?” he said. “The primary mission of this running club is to promote running and offering a scholarship to the next generation is part of that mission.”
While Petit cited the need to select good students who cared about their communities and “wanted to give back,” Castellano definitely fits that description. While he hopes to become an environmental engineer someday, he’s currently a religious instructor and assistant basketball coach, among other accolades.
“I just wanted to thank Ray and Sonya for this wonderful scholarship -- it’s a lot of money and I really appreciate it,” he told everyone, noting that he’d be going directly to Rutgers School of Engineering next year.
“So hopefully I’ll be around to run with you guys soon, but I wanted to come and say thank you to everyone,” said the student. “This is a great club, so thank you guys.”
“Running is one of those parts of life that never goes away,” added Castellano.
Second Winner
Nicole Tedesco, a graduate of Franklin High School, was the other RVRR, annual, inaugural scholarship fund winner; on July 27 she received her own $1,000 check made payable to Ocean County College, located in Toms River, NJ.
She was recently present at the RVRR 2021 Summer Cross Country Series, held in Donaldson Park, NJ, for the second race of 2021, to collect the award with a smile. RVRR’s series traditionally includes four races and the next event is scheduled for August 24th 2021. This year marks the 37th anniversary of the series.
Tedesco joins the freshman class at Ocean County College this fall where she intends to become certified in early childhood education and intends to teach in the Garden State following completion of her certification program.
Tedesco was the captain of both the girl's cross county and indoor track teams while in high school. She noted that running has had a “tremendously positive impact” on everything she does in life.
“I plan to contribute to the running community for a long time and specifically to children by continuing to coach in the future.”
By Dave Schatz
- Details
- Written by NJ NEWS Jersey Reporter
PRO: Public Relations Optimization
SPONSORED...Reported Story by Leah Brown Klein
News Reporter for www.NJnewsjersey.com
News Reporter for www.NYnewsyork.com
- Details
- Written by NJ NEWS Jersey Reporter
WESTFIELD, NJ—Since 1965 Westfield Pest Control has taken great pride specializing in commercial industrial, and institutional pest management in the tri-state area. Our objective is to create a partnership rather than just being another vendor. We collaborate with you to create an environmentally conscious pest management strategy designed to specifically for your home or facility. We are here to keep your family safe from harmful pests. Pest control for homes, condos and apartments. Westfield Pest Control is known for its residential pest expertise: from removal to prevention, we take your bug and rodent issues seriously. Our technicians are trained to apply products responsibly and accurately! (See our list below)
BATS
BEDBUGS
BEES
BEETLES
CARPENTER ANTS
CENTIPEDES
CLOVER MITES
CRICKETS
DEER CONTROL
EARWIGS
FLEAS
MICE
MOTHS
PIGEONS
RACCOONS
RATS
ROACHES
SILVERFISH
SKUNKS
SPIDERS
SQUIRRELS
TERMITES
TICKS
WASPS
WATER BUGS
and other and annoying or harmful pests!
- Details
- Written by NJ NEWS Jersey Reporter
Earth Day Mini Fair 2021
Bringing Hudson County Together
Saturday April 24th
11:00am – 3:00pm
At Jersey City Lincoln Park
West Side Avenue Entrance
JERSEY CITY , NJ --Hudson County Improvement Authority otherwise known as HCIA is having its Earth Day Mini Fair this weekend, April 24th. Stop by to learn more about HCIA and their goals and projects to build a cleaner and more sustainable future for Hudson County residents!
HCIA is hopeful the communities of Hudson County will join together on Earth Day and beyond to promote awareness, education and engagement in the many services and projects Hudson County has to offer its residents. Norman Guerra, who has been the County Executive Director for more than sixteen years, reminds us about the planning and energy division, solar projects, and the building of Hudson County’s first public golf course, and more exciting projects on the way! The HCIA also has been participating in the Task Force for Vaccinations.
Amanda Nesheiwat, Deputy Director of Sustainability & Community Outreach at HCIA based in Jersey City, mentioned in an interview with NJ NEWS Jersey.com, “Earth Day is encouraging youth to get involved in their community and understanding the importance of Earth Day but in their own way! Earth Day has always been an important day for the HCIA because it’s main mission is to spread awareness about how to protect our planet and be a resource for communities working on achieving their environmental goals.”
During the Earth Day Mini Fair Event on Saturday, a wealth of information and activities will be offered to help community members learn more about recycling and composting, shredding and hazardous waste events, and many community programs to assist in making a difference environmentally in our homes as well as out in the community. HCIA’s Earth Day event will also provide information and resources regarding county health services and cultural affairs. Ms. Nesheiwat reminds us, “This year’s Earth Day theme recognizes the importance of working together, whether it’s fighting Covid-19 or fighting climate change! We can solve issues when we work together!”
Normally, the HCIA has always sponsored an Earth Day Fair and 5k Road Race in Liberty State Park but last year the fair had to be cancelled due to Covid-19. Instead for this year’s Earth Day, it will be a Mini Fair at the Jersey City Lincoln Park. The HCIA is still looking forward to planning a 5k road race to be held in the fall so stay tuned! The HCIA is always available to answer questions about “going green” from municipalities, residents, and businesses!
Again, join us Saturday April 24th for a successful Earth Day celebration!
Check out the HCIA website and make sure to enjoy a beautiful day outside at Jersey City Lincoln Park on Earth Day!!!!
phone 201-324-6222