#b#Teacher Academy Participant#/b#
Sarah Bush, a rising senior at High School North, was selected to participate in College of New Jersey’s Urban Teacher Academy. The program is offered to high school juniors interested in becoming teachers in urban or high shortage subject areas. Requirements for the highly competitive program include high grades in college preparatory courses, teacher recommendations, and an essay.
One of the assignments was to write a letter to the teachers who have had the greatest impact on their lives. Bush’s letter to Joanne Crain, a Community Middle School math teacher, is among the seven selected to be part of a New Jersey Close-Up presentation airing this fall on NJN Public Television.
“Ms. Crain has been a teacher, tutor, mentor, friend, and inspiration to me for many years,” says Bush. “I am proud to be selected to participate in this program and I can’t think of a more deserving teacher and role model.”
Bush plans to pursue a degree in elementary and special education after she graduates next June. An active volunteer for Special Olympics and the Cherry Tree Club, she is a member of the varsity field hockey and softball programs. This year she will be involved in North’s Youth Teaching Youth program.
Bush’s letter that she read to Crain for the television show follows:
“Dear Ms. Crain,
“‘The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.’ I was trying to think of ways to start my letter because there are so many things I want to say to you. I thought this quote describes what kind of teacher you are. You are an amazing teacher and you have made a difference in so many kids’ lives academically and personally. I am one of those kids. You and I first met in sixth grade math. You were warm and caring in the class room. Once we got to know each other we hit really hit it off. I was the kind of student who needed extra attention to succeed and you were more than willing to give it to me. You gave up lunches and after school plans to meet with me. You made me packets, went over my homework, and graded tests. You were willing to sit at a desk with me and go over a problem 10 times just to make sure I understood. You also opened your home to me so we could have after hours study sessions complete with homemade cookies and hot chocolate. As I got older we continued to work outside of the classroom and you continued to do whatever you had to do for me to succeed.
“As a teacher you are dedicated to your students and your profession. You are an extremely hard worker. At one time you were teaching your class and going to school to better your education. You are enthusiastic, engaging, creative, and patient. You tried to accommodate every child’s learning style to the best of your ability. You worked as hard as you could to make sure every student was working to their potential. You were the one who made me decide that teaching was something that I wanted to do. You taught me to be a fighter. To fight and take control of my education because it was the only chance I was going to get. You also taught me to advocate for myself. You showed me it was okay to admit that I didn’t know the answer.
“You are the kind of teacher that I aspire to be. A student will always remember the teacher who helped them the most. I hope that one day I can touch as many students’ lives as you did. I will never forget everything you taught me. All the lessons you’ve helped me learn, and the positive impact you had on my academic self-esteem. You truly were my super woman.”
#b#Historic Bike Trail#/b#
Paul Ligeti of West Windsor created the West Windsor Historic Bike Trail for his Boy Scout Eagle project. Representatives from the town, historical society, and scout officials attended the ribbon cutting held on July 30 at South Mill and Village roads, West Windsor. The trail includes descriptive markers in front of historically important sites in the township. Ligeti is a rising senior at High School North and a member of Troop 66.
The trail, in both its online and physical forms, is a culmination of two years of planning, research, and execution. Combining his love of biking and deep interest in local history, Ligeti presented a brief history of the town, as well as a gallery of photos of the sites along the route.
The stops include Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church, the Schenck Farmstead and Museum, Ladyfaire, Berrien City, Widow Bergen’s Tavern, Grovers Mill of “The War of the Worlds” fame, and homes that served as Underground Railroad stops. The trail ride takes close to two hours. Maps are available at Dutch Neck Park. Visit wwhistoricbiker.weebly.com for information.
#b#Musical Notes#/b#
Ann Lee of West Windsor received the inaugural Ena Bronstein Barton piano scholarship. A rising senior at High School North, she has studied piano at Westminster Conservatory with Galina Prilutskaya for 11 years. Lee, who will be recognized throughout the year in her conservatory concerts, received a $500 scholarship. She is the daughter of Kun and Soon-Joo Lee.
#b#Girl Scout Silver Award#/b#
Kacy Lane and Kate McManus from West Windsor Girl Scout troop 70216 recently organized an event for their silver award project at Mercer Elementary, a school for disabled children. They put together a two-day event incorporating decorating cupcakes and healthy nutrition.
Together they taught third to eighth graders different ways to decorate and the different food groups. “I enjoyed giving the students a culinary experience that they would not have normally had at the school,” said McManus, a former West Windsor resident who moved to Pittsburgh last week.
Their girl scout leaders are Kate Henkle and May Rowland. “I learned that I can really make a difference in someone’s life,” says Lane, a West Windsor resident and a rising eighth grade student at Grover Middle School.
#b#In College#/b#
George Washington University Law School: Chinyere C. Ohaeri, a former Plainsboro resident now living in St. Paul, Minnesota, received her juris doctor degree in May. She is a graduate of High School North, Class of 2002, and Rutgers University in 2007.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: Meena Arumugam of West Windsor is on the dean’s list. A member of the Class of 2016, Arumugan is pursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Timothy Chambers of Plainsboro and Victoria Song of West Windsor are on the dean’s list. Chambers is majoring in information technology and web science. Song is majoring in business, management, and communication.
Rowan University: Plainsboro residents on the dean’s list include Sarah Beth Giusto, a senior majoring in health and physical education; Katherine Irene Lacenere, a junior majoring in English; Kristine Jennifer Lepelis, a senior majoring in studio art; and Matthew Howard Skepner, a senior majoring in management information systems.
West Windsor residents on the dean’s list include Michael Patrick Brienza, a freshman majoring in accounting; Amy Jade Gill-Murphy, a freshman majoring in accounting; Samantha Elizabeth Musumeci, a sophomore majoring in biological science; and Melanie Rachel Pauker, a senior majoring in English.
#b#First Place Winner#/b#
Rebecca Shi, a June graduate of High School South, participated on the Center for Excellence in Education’s Team USA at the international biology olympiad held in Taiwan. The four-member team won four gold medals at the event. Shi also took first place in the world.
Shi, known as Becky, will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Through high school, she developed an interest in biology by participating on her school’s Science Olympiad team and the Waksman Club, which is involved in molecular biology and bioinformatics research. Shi volunteers at Plainsboro Preserve, where she became particularly interested in birds and bird watching. She recently participated in the 2011 World Series of Birding. She has also played viola in her school, regional, and All-State orchestras, and fenced on her school’s varsity team.
Nearly 10,500 students participated in the USA biology olympiad. Team USA was selected based on their outstanding achievements as the top four students of 20 at the national finals, held at Purdue University in June. Team USA was part of 229 students from 58 countries who participated in this year’s competition. The scholars were accompanied by Kathy Frame of the Center for Excellence in Education, and Scott Mills of Purdue University, USA Biology Olympiad coaches. All were flown to Taiwan courtesy of Korean Air. Her father, Yan Shi, and her mother, Hongyam Qi, were also on the trip.
“The Center is incredibly proud of the success of Team USA 2011 members and their ability to honor the United States with their outstanding academic performance in the global competition,” said Joann DiGennaro, president of the Center for Excellence in Education. “This is a remarkable achievement for Rebecca to be named as one of the top biology achievers in the U.S. and in the world.”
