Geography Bee
Winner
Tim Schoebel of West Windsor took seventh place in the New Jersey Geography Bee held at Rutgers University on April 1. He was among the 100 students vying for the state championship and the chance to go on to the national contest to be held in Washington, D.C. in May. He is a fifth grade student at ESC (Educational Services Commission) in Kingston.
The contest, run by the National Geographic Society, is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms. Students in grades four through eight are eligible for the competition.
Born in West Windsor Tim attended Dutch Neck School when he was younger. He is the son of Bruce Schoebel and Jeanne Schoebel, both of West Windsor. His sister, Cathy, graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, Class of 1999. His two older brothers, Dan and Michael, graduated from High School North, Classes of 2004 and 2005, respectively.
“Tim constantly studies maps and reads with an almanac nearby,” says his father. “I travel a lot and always bring home maps. Talking about plans got him interested in geography.”
Leadership
Cassandra McClellan, 12, was selected to participate in the Junior National Student Leadership Conference for the second year. She is a seventh grade student at Grover Middle School.
Born in East Windsor, she has lived in West Windsor for eight years. Her mother, Linda, was raised in West Windsor, graduated from Princeton High School, and is an opthamology technician with Princeton Eye Institute. Her father, Rob, also raised in West Windsor, graduated from Princeton Day School. He is systems manager with Catalina Marketing in Manasquan. She also lives with her brother, Garrett, 4.
A Girl Scout since she was in the first grade, Cassie was not only the lead cookie seller in Cadette Troop 299 this past year, but she was fourth in the council with sales of 701 boxes of cookies. Community service was something she learned at home. Her mother Linda, volunteers with motel meals through Trinity Episcopal Church and Cassie helps out. Cassie recently organized a book drive at Grover School.
Her other plans this summer include being on the crew team with the Mercer Rowing Club, and going to sleepaway camp for the first time at Camp Mason. She will attend the JNSLC conference, “Diplomacy is the Word.”
The family recently returned from Washington, D.C. where they attended a booksigning at the Library of Congress for her aunt, Ann McClellan, and her new book, “The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration.”
A program for middle school students, the JNSLC will host close to 1,”500 students from across the United States and from 45 countries around the world. They will find themselves immersed in a learning environment filled with workshops and classes. The program is held in Washington, D.C. during the summer. For information visit www.jnslc.org.
Millstone River School is the first New Jersey school to be a member of Peaceful Schools International. The mission of a peaceful school is to have a commitment to creating and maintaining a culture of peace for all students. “Fifth grade teacher Ronni Epstein was the force behind the entire program,” says Gerri Hutner, public information officer. “Michelle Pellecchia, also a fifth grade teacher, helped her put the program together.” The goals are to encourage student-centered conflict resolution strategies, to reduce violence and punitive discipline measures, and to support at-risk students.
Governor’s School
Jessica Cohen of Plainsboro will attend New Jersey Governor’s School of the Arts Dance Division in July. She is a student at Hun.
In College:
Berklee College of Music: Stephen Oriolo, West Windsor.
Fairleigh Dickinson University’s College at Florham: Sarah Anderson, Plainsboro, was accepted into “Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges.
Franklin & Marshall College: Jeffrey S. Fox, Michael E. Gorsky, and Alexander J. Levy, all of West Windsor, dean’s list.
University of Hartford: Andrea Shedler, West Windsor, dean’s list at the College of Arts and Science. A communications major, she graduated from High School North, Class of 2004.
New York University: Albert Scheer, West Windsor, sophomore at the Stern School of Business, dean’s list.
Susquehanna University: Amanda Weinstein, West Windsor, was selected to be property manager by the campus chapter of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She is a junior.
Around Town:
Volunteer Awards
West Windsor residents Edward DiPolvere, Wendy L. Schutzer, and Joshua Suslak are being honored as outstanding volunteers at a reception hosted by the Times of Trenton, the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of Greater Mercer County.
They will receive the Times 2005 Jefferson Awards at a reception at Educational Testing Service on Tuesday, April 26, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $20. Call 609-393-4143 to register.
Mothers on Autism
Kristin Rogers of West Windsor is featured in a new book about autism, “Autism — Heartfelt Thoughts from Mothers.” She is one of close to 100 mothers from around the world to be included in the book published by Autism Enhancement Publishing.
The author, Judy Lynne, has a 21-year-old daughter who was diagnosed with autism when she was four. She wanted to give mothers a voice and asked women to submit their thoughts regarding their biggest challenges, greatest blessings, and words of wisdom to other parents.
“News of an autism diagnosis can be devastating to a family and the challenges they face in raising a child with autism unfathomable,” says Rogers. “Friends and family members of the parents will get a glimpse into the real world of autism and find a new appreciation for what parents of special needs children go through on a daily basis.”
The book, a paperback, is available for $16 at www.autismthoughts.com, www.amazon.com, and Ebay. Lynne is researching another book on fathers and invites stories and thoughts sent to AutismThoughts@yahoo.com.
Special Olympics
Six area residents competed in the 2005 Spring Sports Festival Bowling Team Tournament held at Curtis Lanes in Ewing on March 20. West Windsor athletes included Monica Koppstein, 17; Junichi Kusakawa, 20; Jessica Rockoff, 22; Katherine Terzian, 23; and Candice Weissman, 25. Plainsboro resident Brian Walsh, 21, also competed.
ArtFirst!
Betty and Patrick Greber of West Windsor presented the ArtFirst! first prize for works on canvas, board, or fabric in memory of Jay Mee Schwartz. Debbie Nosko of West Windsor is president of the Auxiliary and her husband, Michael, is a physician at the hospital.
ArtFirst! is presented by the Auxiliary of University Medical Center at Princeton. The show, mounted throughout the public corridors of the hospital, closes this Friday, April 15. The exhibition included watercolors, oils, acrylics, mixed media, sculpture, photography, jewelry, mosaic, scrimshaw, handcrafted baskets, and fiber art.
The third annual event features the sale of art and crafts by professional artists with disabilities. Thirty percent of the works were sold at the preview party netting close to $35,”000.
Business
Joseph Quinlan and Rakhi Ahuja have joined RE/MAX of Princeton as broker associates. Quinlan has a master’s degree in business administration from Adelphi University. Ahuja has a master’s degree in business administration form the University of Pune, India.
