School Days 4.1.15

Scholarship ProgramsThe Greater Tuckahoe Area Merchants’ Association (G.T.A.M.A.) is offering educational scholarships to full-time students who reside within the geographic boundaries of the Association and meet certain eligibility requirements.
Since 1998 the association has awarded approximately $144,000 to students from the Greater Tuckahoe Area.
As in the past, the Association is accepting applications from high school seniors for the James and Martha Owens and the Alex and Virginia May Scholarships.
A scholarship program is in its seventh year and is known as the Doris C. Stowell Scholarship. One high school senior that meets special criteria established by Mrs. Stowell will be selected as a recipient. The Doris C. Stowell Scholarship is $5000.
This year the number of scholarships for the James and Martha Owens will be determined by the number of applicants and the amount of the scholarships will be set later but will be a minimum of $250.
The Alex and Virginia May Scholarship is up to $1000 and is for a high school senior who will attend a community college and who has been active in the events of the G.T.A.M.A.
The Owens and May scholarships for the high school seniors will be awarded after successfully completing the first college semester and providing the scholarship committee a copy of their transcript.
The Doris C. Stowell scholarship for a high school senior will be awarded after successfully completing the first year of college and providing the scholarship committee a copy of the transcript.
The G.T.A.M.A. Scholarships for those full-time students already in college have the same geographic boundaries and must maintain at least a “B” GPA. Post-Secondary recipients may reapply and receive a scholarship up to three times (a total of four years).
ELIGIBILITY – ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE:
*Residents or dependents of residents, or dependents of business owners who operate within the GTAMA scholarship geographical boundaries, which are:
To the North, the city limits of Corbin City
To the South, Cedar Swamp Creek
To the East, the intersection of Cedar Swamp Creek & Tuckahoe River if extended
To the West, the Dennis Township – Woodbine border
JAMES and MARTHA OWENS or the ALEX and VIRGINIA MAY SCHOLARSHIPS
* A senior in high school
* Actively engaged in school activities, volunteer services or community activities especially those associated with the events sponsored by the G.T.A.M.A.,
*Applicants must be accepted and enrolled as a fulltime student at an accredited college or technical school.
* Applicants must submit a 500-word essay explaining the reason for applying for the scholarship and their educational goals
* Applicants will be selected based on a variety of criteria including financial need. Financial Aid information must be submitted to the High School Guidance office on forms provided by the High School prior to May 1st. A copy of the financial aid offer from the college and the Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA must be included.
DORIS C. STOWELL SCHOLARSHIP
* A senior in high school
* Actively engaged in school activities, community activities, or volunteer services (especially with the GTAMA Events).
*Applicants must be accepted as a fulltime student at an accredited college or technical school.
* Applicants will be selected based on a variety of criteria including financial need. Financial Aid information must be submitted to the High School Guidance office on forms provided by the High School prior to May 1st. A copy of the financial aid offer from the college and the Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA must be included.
TUCKAHOE AREA MERCHANTS’ ASSOCIATION POST SECONDARY SCHOLARSHIP
*Enrolled as a fulltime student in a college or technical school.
*Complete the form for post-secondary students
*New Applicants.
*A letter of acceptance or a copy of a current transcript must accompany the application
* A copy of the financial aid offer from the college and the Expected Family Contribution from the
FAFSA must be included.
* List the G.T.A.M.A. events that you and your family have participated in.
*Re-applicants
*A cover letter requesting funding consideration is required including an update of college activities and which if any G.T.A.M. A. that you or your family participated in.
*A copy of a current transcript must accompany the application
* A copy of the financial aid offer from the college and the Expected Family Contribution from the FAFSA must be included.
APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE AT YOUR HIGH SCHOOL, THE GREATER TUCKAHOE AREA MERCHANTS’ ASSOCIATION WEBSITE OR STURDY BANK (FORMERLY SUN NATIONAL BANK) IN TUCKAHOE. COMPLETED FORMS BY THE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS MUST BE IN THE HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE OFFICE BY MAY 1 , 2015. The high school guidance office will forward the applications to the GTAMA Scholarship Committee.
COLLEGE STUDENT APPLICATIONS MUST BE AT THE GREATER TUCKAHOE COMMITTEE BY JUNE 1, 2015.
Bishop McHugh
Parents and students interested in learning more about Bishop McHugh’s Little Storm Preschool and its accelerated elementary and middle school programs may attend an Open House during April. A new program, Transitional K, will be offered in 2015-16 in the preschool for children who are ready to learn kindergarten skills but who are not yet five years old.
Open Houses are scheduled as follows during April 2015:
· Tuesday, April 14: Toddler & Transitional 3
· Wednesday, April 15: PreK through Grade 8
· Wednesday, April 22: PreK through Grade 8
· Thursday, April 23: Toddler & Transitional 3
· Tuesday, April 28: PreK through Grade 8
Open House times are between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., so that families may see classes in action. Bishop McHugh is located on a 10-acre campus at 2221 Route 9 North (mile marker 20), Cape May Court House, N.J. 08210. Transportation is available for enrolled students, including from Upper Township.
About the Little Storm Preschool
The Little Storm Preschool has specially designed classes for infants through age 4. PreK classes provide a nurturing learning environment for children ages three and four. The curriculum includes 21st Century technologies with SmartBoards and iPad minis, Spanish, art, music, movement, physical education and social play. The new Transitional K class is for four year olds who are academically ready for Kindergarten but who would benefit from the socialization and developmental needs of their age group. The Transitional 3 class is for children who are not yet three years old or who are not potty trained. There also is a Toddler program for students younger than 24 months. Parents may choose between two, three and five day programs running half or full days. After care also is available.
About the Accelerated Elementary and Middle School Program
The 2015-16 Early Tour of Bishop McHugh is designed to introduce prospective families to the state-of-the-art building and curriculum. Bishop McHugh students receive instruction in the core academic subjects, and in religion, music and the fine arts, technology, and athletics. There also are extracurricular activities available including cheerleading, basketball, baseball, soccer, cross country, band and chorus. The soccer and cross country teams compete in the Atlantic-Cape League. The basketball teams compete in the Atlantic Cape League, the Cape Atlantic League, and the South Shore Recreation League.
Students also participate in Team Mercy, a student council that teaches kindness and thoughtfulness through school-based, student-run activities and community outreach. This includes food and clothing drives, holiday outreach programs, Spirit Days, and Prayer Partners.
Students’ families also are invited to participate throughout the year. Family programs include an ice cream social, family fun night, laps for learning, movie nights, pep rallies, monthly liturgies, Halloween tailgate party, breakfast with Santa, casino night, fashion show, golf outing, mother’s prayer group, and numerous student performances. An active parent volunteer program also is in place.
Bishop McHugh Regional Catholic School is a PreK-8 regional school in Cape May County with a student-centered curriculum grounded in the Gospel values. For more information, visit http://bishopmchugh.com/mchugh/. The community is invited to “Like” Bishop McHugh on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BishopMcHughRegionalSchool and follow Principal McGuire on Twitter at @BMRCSPrincipal.Cape May Tech
Monica Powers, a Middle Township resident and a senior in the Natural Science Technology program of study at Cape May County Technical High School, is a Comcast Leaders and Achievers’ Scholarship Program recipient. The scholarship is an award of $1,000 and is not renewable. The scholarship must be used in the 2015-2016 academic year and applied to educational expenses at an accredited, nonprofit college, university or vocational/technical school in the United States.
Jaclyn Gehring, a Wildwood Crest resident and a junior in the Natural Science Technology program of study at Cape May County Technical High School, has been selected to receive the highly – competitive Widener University High School Leadership Award sponsored by Widener University and co-sponsored by NBC10. This award recognizes high school students in the region who embody the university’s commitment to develop and inspire leaders to affect positive change. Gehring has received an invitation to attend a celebratory breakfast at the National Constitution Center at the end of March followed by a unique leadership experience in fall 2015 at Widener University. Additionally, if she enrolls at Widener University, Gehring will receive a $20,000 scholarship awarded over four years. For more information on Cape May County Technical High School, visit www.capemaytech.com.
Ocean City
The American Legion, Department of New Jersey High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, A Constitutional Speech Contest was conducted at the Trenton War Memorial Building on March 21. The contest was won by Cassidy Diamond, an Ocean City High School freshman. The title of her speech was The Constitution: America’s Heirloom. She was sponsored by Horvey-Miley American Legion Post 524, Ocean City, Cape May County, representing the 5th Oratorical District. Diamond won a $4,000 scholarship and will now advance to the National Finals Contest held in the headquarters city of The American Legion, Indianapolis, Indiana. The finals are scheduled for April 10-12.
The New Jersey contest is broken down into five districts. District 1 is represented by Bergen, Essex, Hudson and Passaic counties. District 2 is represented by Morris, Sussex, Union and Warren counties. District 3 is represented by Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset and Monmouth counties. District 4 is represented by Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Ocean counties. District 5 is represented by Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and Salem counties. Each District winner advances to the Department Finals.
The contest is done in two phases. The first phase is an 8-10 minute speech on some aspect of the United States Constitution. Phase two is a 3-5 minute speech on one of five assigned topics.
Diamond now faces additional competition, which could reward her almost $20,000 in scholarship money if she wins the national contest.Stone Harbor Elementary
The second grade class has begun the Re-Turn the Favor campaign to help fund the horseshoe crab conservation program at the Wetlands. They visited classrooms to educate their fellow students about how to properly flip over a stranded crab should they encounter one on the beach. Also, the class has placed collection cans in each of the homerooms in hopes of making a donation to the Wetlands Institute when they visit to learn more about horseshoe crabs in June. To help fund this project, they will soon be making horseshoe crab cookies to sell at school.
Wildwood High School
Perhaps it’s something in the salty water that sits a block away from Wildwood High School that helps produce multi-generations of valedictorians and salutatorians. And 2015 is no exception to the school’s long tradition of keeping smarts all in the family. Wildwood High School’s 109th graduating class’ valedictorian and salutatorian have roots that run deep in the sandy soil of the warrior nation.
With only a fraction of a decimal separating them, valedictorian Dinae DeMayo, 17, and salutatorian Siena Perez, 18, have worked hard. As the top two students in the 65-member graduating class of 2015, both young women agreed that it was hard work and dedication that pushed them to the top.
“For the past three years it’s always been really tight,” said DeMayo. “It’s not a full point that separates us.”
While each young woman was focused on doing well in school, an extra impetus may have come from their families’ tradition of academic excellence. DeMayo’s brother, Michael, was the school’s valedictorian in 2012 and Perez’ father is an ESL teacher at the school.
“These two girls have always been good students from the time they attended Wildwood Middle School,” said Principal Christopher Armstrong. “Good grades have always been an expectation for the both of them. They both have families who have supported the school system and understand the importance of academic success.”
“You do what’s necessary,” said Perez when asked if maintaining a stellar class standing was difficult. “It’s not ever difficult, you just get through it.”
“Our parents pushed us,” added DeMayo, “Once Michael had it, it was always my goal to meet him. I thought it would be cool.”
In addition to their academic accomplishments, both students are heavily involved in extra curricular activities. Both are flautists in the school band and participate in Drama Club, All Star Trading Card Club, Renaissance, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership and Student Council. DeMayo also runs cross country.
As the two girls get ready to leave Wildwood High School for college their advice for the incoming freshman class is succinct – every grade counts.
“Every single thing you do counts,” said Perez. “You could get one F on a something and think that it’s not a big deal, but between us, it’s always been a decimal. If you are committed to it, you will try hard.”
“And don’t slack off,” added DeMayo. “Take everything seriously and take harder classes. You’ll get used to them and they help you.”
Over the past century the list of Wildwood High School’s valedictorians and salutatorians has been notable for its family connections. Siblings, children of teachers, even a grandmother and her two granddaughters have shared the coveted honor of being number one or number two in their graduating class.
According to Armstrong, both DeMayo and Perez have stayed their course in achieving the honor of being the top two in their class.
“Dinae has always been a very focused student,” said Armstrong. “Her hard work and dedication to her studies has helped her earn the honor of valedictorian. I know she will be successful in her future education.
“Siena is a very quiet person, but behind her quiet exterior is a student who is willing to take on any challenge. Her goal is to attend Temple University and study Spanish. She will go on and have a tremendous impact on her community as she continues her education.”
“We’re proud of all the hard work our children do,” said Mayor Ernie Troiano, an alumnus of Wildwood High School. “The City of Wildwood salutes these two outstanding students.”
With their mid-June graduation just weeks away the two young women said their hard work has paid off.
“I wouldn’t change it. I wouldn’t say ‘Wow! I shouldn’t have worked this hard. It definitely feels good to be on top with Siena.”
In other WHS news, student Jillian Freeman’s recently won the Widener University High School Leadership Award.
Widener University, one of the nation’s premier universities for civic engagement and applied leadership, today announced the winners of the Widener University High School Leadership Awards. In its fourth year, the program recognized 134 students from high schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware who demonstrated courage and leadership within their communities.
Students were selected for their abilities to stand up for what is right, address a wrong and make a difference in their communities or schools. Among the winners, the Widener University High School Leadership Awards recognized students who:
 Founded the “Turn a Page, Book a Kid” Program, which has collected 16,000 books for patients at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
 Shared the details of a personal experience with Alopecia in hopes to boost the self-esteem of others suffering with the autoimmune disease.
 Formed the Babe’s Kids Foundation, which raised $8,000 to help with another student’s medical bills.
 Joined the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network’s public policy committee to assist with the development of anti-bullying and inclusive curriculum strategies.
“Widener University is particularly proud of the High School Leadership Award program as it recognizes those high school students who reflect our core values of civic engagement, community service and leadership,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III. “The significant amount of nominations we received this year is a testament to the vast population of students in our community who courageously demonstrate leadership. These winners are the next generation of leaders in our area and I am looking forward to personally congratulating each and every one of them at the upcoming awards ceremony.”