Cape Christian Academy
On May 17, Cape Christian Academy held their 5th annual fundraising auction at St. John Neumann’s Hall, in the Villas, from 5-9pm. This event, titled “Light it Up”, featured a live, silent, and Chinese auction. The goal was to raise $20,000 to be applied towards outfitting the school’s first on-site gymnasium with electricity.
This capital improvement project will give CCA the ability to expand their athletic programming, benefitting school families and the community for years to come.
In addition to overwhelming support from the community, they were honored to receive a visit from Senator Jeff Van Drew and Assemblyman Bob Andrzejczak.
Lower Township
Children are our future. As such, the students at Maud Abrams Elementary School encourage you to invest in tomorrow’s leaders through what, for many, is an untapped resource: Box Tops. Found on the packages of many food products, Box Tops can generate up to $20,000 for each school that collects and submits them.
Coordinated by the school’s K-Kids, the grade school branch of Kiwanis, this effort will help acquire monies to enhance the educational process. So, before you recycle your cereal boxes and other cardboard packages, cut out the Box Top symbols and drop them into our specially marked receptacles located at the front of area food stores such as Acme and ShopRite. Your support will make a positive difference for local students.
Wildwood
Fourth grade students at Glenwood Avenue Elementary School were on the edge of their chairs as they waited for the jury’s verdict in the case of the State v. Rob Ornot.
With New Jersey Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez presiding, the school’s library was turned into a courtroom where Ornot’s guilt, or innocence, would be decided by a jury of his peers. Ornot was accused of stealing a ring from Mary D. Happily. The ring was a twentieth wedding anniversary gift from her husband.
The mock trial was held May 21 to give students a taste of the American justice system and all that it entails. Students chosen to portray the defendant, plaintiff, and jury spent hours preparing their roles. Under the guidance of law clerks Robert Belasco of Wildwood Crest and Daniel McCann of Sea Isle City, those hours of hard work paid off.
During the trial Happily, portrayed by I’lasia Negron, stated she had worn the ring to do outside chores. During her testimony she noted she had a recent weight loss and found the ring to be loose.
Ornot, portrayed by Melvyn Mendoza Bautista, testified that although his past included some difficulties, such as being a bully, but was a changed man who not only held down a job but also tended to his ailing mother. According to the defendant, he found the ring inside a bird’s nest that had fallen on the ground.
Testifying on Ornot’s behalf was neighbor Wendy Watching. An avid birdwatcher, she told the court she saw a bright, shiny object tucked in the nest of a magpie.
After listening to testimony, Mendez instructed the jury. After the deliberating, the jury could not come to a unanimous decision regarding Ornot’s fate found and asked the court to find Ornot innocent of the crime. The judge polled several members of the jury regarding their inability too come to a unanimous decision. According to jury foreman Quiwan Andrews, the state failed to prove Ornot’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
After the verdict was read, the judge dissected the case with the students. He explained concepts such as preponderance of evidence, reasonable doubt, evidence of character and prior history that were applicable in the case.
“Just because sometime in the past you might have done something doesn’t mean you did this,” explained Mendez. “Prior bad acts sometimes are not admissible evidence and are not admissible in court. Sometimes they may be admissible, but in this case they are not admissible.”
Teacher Maria Sciarrone coordinated bringing the mock trial to the school this year. As part of the fourth grade social studies curriculum students are taught about the judicial system. Participating in a mock trial, however, turns concepts into reality.
Retired teacher Josephine Sharpe returned to the school for the event. Last year she brought the first mock trial to students and returned for this year’s event. Sharpe is a volunteer with the Committee for Minority Concerns through the Superior Court of New Jersey.
Sharpe said the committee is about connecting with the community and with schools “and letting them know that the Superior Court is nothing to be fearful of. This is a very positive experience for them.”
Sciarrone said another facet of the mock trial is allowing students to see if a career in the legal system whets their interest.
“It’s a learning experience for the students. It expands their knowledge,” said Sharpe.
“Creating a mock trial also makes the students more confident,” said Sciarrone. “It makes them feel important.”
Wildwood Catholic
Wildwood Catholic HS inducted 26 students into the National Honor
Society on Thursday, May 8th, 2014. The National Honor Society (NHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding high school students. More than just an honor roll, NHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, service, and character. The following students were inducted:
Kaleigh Kita, Carley Nichols, Delaney Wallace, Tyler Norris, Joseph
Alosi, Joseph Babore, Lily Bradshaw, Morgan Burkhardt, Mia Capozzoli,
Natalie D’Alicandro, John Ferry, Katherine Fiore, Kaci Gallagher, Mark
Gomez, Alex Horwell, Christie Keown, Bridget Maxwell, Madison
McNicholas, Eileen McNulty, Molly McNulty, Kelsey Osborne, Alexis
Skidmore, Corrine Shoemaker, Eric Sorensen, Faith Sorensen, Patric
Vogdes.
Dennisville – As a parent of a Tech student it would be great if the school would update their staff directory. So many old staff still listed and no new teachers listed. What gives?
