#b#Origami: Not Just Art#/b#
Alyssa Leung, a resident of West Windsor, completed her Girl Scout Silver Award project over the summer. A freshman at High School North, she has been a member of Girl Scout Troop 71289 since fourth grade. She built her project on two passions: origami and giving back to the community. Her project, “Origami to Stimulate the Mind and Body,” focused on the issues of social isolation and mind and body stimulation for the elderly.
“Older and aging people are one group at risk and often overlooked,” says Leung. “I organized and led 12 workshops for the residents of Atrium Senior Living of Princeton and members of the Plainsboro Senior Center on the art of paper folding (origami). It gives me great pleasure to share my passion and love of origami with others. I choose to work with seniors because they have helped many others over the course of their lives and this is an opportunity to give back to them and show my appreciation. My workshops provided a purpose and common platform for seniors to meet and interact with others while learning and enjoying the benefits of origami.”
Leung funded her project through a combination of a contribution from troop funds, donations from friends and family, as well as selling eggs from her pet chickens.
“There are things we can do to keep our mind and bodies healthy as we age,” says Leung. “Origami provides the perfect avenue for mental and physical exercise. Studies have shown that the use of your hands directly stimulate areas of the brain. Origami helps develop and maintain hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills, mental concentration, patience, and much more. And let us not forget the simple reasons of having joy, satisfaction, and pride in creating something with your own hands. These are just some of the benefits and impact of origami I shared with the participants.”
Her troop leaders are Diane Chan and Ajitha Gadangi. “Alyssa’s project is extremely meaningful and touching. She gave seniors a bright smile and gave them something to look forward to,” says Gadangi, who was her project advisor. “I am extremely proud of her achievements with this.”
Her mentors included Pam Singer, the activities coordinator for Atrium Senior Living of Princeton, and Tina Preville, the senior and special events program coordinator at Plainsboro Senior Center.
Leung acknowledges that the kindness and support from Singer and Preville was instrumental to the success of her project, as well as the invaluable assistance from her supporters Mackenzie Leung, Christine Chan, and her parents.
“I learned that I have more abilities than I gave myself credit for. I learned that skills (such as talent in origami, visual interpretation, artistic nature, thriving in routine, etc.) that I had taken for granted are special and unique to me. I learned how to ask for help. I am more comfortable interacting with adults. With practice I grew more confident and comfortable speaking in front of people each time I led the workshops. I realize I still have a lot to work on, but this experience has given me an opportunity to test and stretch myself in a safe environment. But most importantly, I had fun and walked away with a huge sense of accomplishment.”
Leung continues to work with the residents at Atrium Senior Living of Princeton. She is also now an origami instructor at the Chinese Heritage School (www.chsnj2000.org). E-mail girlscoutswwp@verizon.net for information about joining Girls Scouts in West Windsor and Plainsboro as a girl or adult volunteer.
#b#Cultural Festivals#/b#
India Foundation of Metropolitan Princeton held its annual Navrathri Garba on October 10 and 24 at High School North to celebrate the Festival of Nine Nights in West Indian style. Dancing as a form of worship to Goddess Durga, the attendees were dressed in colorful, traditional garb and danced the night away to Garba and Dandiya singing. Performers included Shashank & Swati Fadnis Group on October 10 and Anuja and Sharad Wala Group on October 24. Best dressed and best dancer prizes were awarded.
The Navratri festival has been celebrated by IFMP in Central Jersey area for 38 years. “One of our most important goals is to promote better understanding of Indian culture, traditions, and its heritage in our adopted homeland and pass on our way of life and values to the next generation,” says Sanjay Phanse, a West Windsor resident and president of IFMP, a non-profit organization established in 1977.
The organization will also present a cultural show on Saturday, December 19, also at High School North. “This is our biggest event of the year, which provides a platform for the younger generation to connect with our rich Indian heritage and culture by way of dance and music. Choreographers and musicians from the area have been sending their students to perform in this cultural show for past 20 plus years,” says Phanse. “This year the cultural show will be comprised of folk dances from various states of India, Indian Classical dances, and of course Bollywood style dances on popular Bollywood songs.”
#b#Stress Reduction#/b#
Attitudes in Reverse, an organization based in Plainsboro, presented a session for Community Middle School students focusing on learning healthy strategies for dealing with stress. The program was presented by Tricia Baker, a co-founder of AIR, and her therapy dog, Misha.
“During that meeting, students discussed many stress-reducing strategies, including sleeping more, eating healthy foods, talking with people about your worries, and having a pet,” says Maya Mau, a student at CMS. “We learned about dealing with stress by just slowing down.”
“Another helpful part of the session focused on sleeping more,” says Mau. “Have you ever just felt like you couldn’t walk another step? Well, that’s because you get too little sleep at night. Sleep is when your body regenerates and grows.”
“Now, there are many factors in not getting enough sleep,” says Mau. “As middle schoolers, our circadian rhythms change and we cannot fall asleep like we did when we were younger. We need to take steps to reduce any distractions.”
Rebecca McLelland-Crawley, the school’s PRISM (Performance Revealing Individual Student Magic) teacher, organized the program. The students will share the lessons with other students at CMS.
#b#98 Flags#/b#
Dutch Neck Elementary School has 98 American flags on view on its front lawn. The idea for the display was presented by Andria Wirth, the treasurer of Dutch Neck’s PTA. The American flags were inspired by the 9/11 memorial in Commack, Long Island. Principal David Argese and assistant principal Laura Bruce welcomed the idea.
“In partnership with the PTA, we are proud to show our appreciation for the veterans who have served in the military as well as those who are currently enlisted,” says Argese. “We pay tribute to these heroes through the display of American flags in the front of the school. We chose 98 flags, one for each year Dutch Neck Elementary School has been open.”
“Our community has many veterans of whom we are proud,” says Maya Kamath, president of the PTA. “The flags are a great reminder to everyone to thank those who have served our country, with honor and passion.”
#b#In College#/b#
Fordham University: Morgan Francis of Plainsboro is on the dean’s list. A 2012 graduate of High School North, her overall GPA is 4.985 and she has worked several internships as a media and web communications specialist in New York City.
She is now studying in Bilbao, Spain, where she is continuing her studies in internal public relations and marketing communications. Upon her return, Francis has been invited back for a paid internship with a firm in New York City.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Diego Cuitino of Plainsboro has earned recognition as part of the 2015 Liberty League Fall All-Academic Football Team. Cuitino has also been selected to the 2015 College Sports Information Directors of America Football Academic All-District Division III Team. A sophomore, he is majoring in mechanical engineering. He has worked at Rutgers as an assistant maintaining, analyzing, and testing RABIT, the autonomous robot.
Susquehanna University: Sarah Bush of West Windsor has been raising funds for the school through its student calling program. The students contact parents and alumni to encourage them to support the university by making a donation.
Bush’s responsibilities included updating the contact database and informing supporters of what is happening on campus. A 2012 graduate from High School North, she is an early childhood education major in the Class of 2016. Her parents are Don and Lisa Bush.
#b#Musical Notes#/b#
Ondria Wasem of West Windsor was recently welcomed to the Jersey Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines International by chorus director Kat Britt and membership chairwoman Carole Auletta. If you are a woman who loves to sing, visit the chorus during any weekly rehearsal, held Mondays at 7:15 p.m. at 1065 Canal Road in Princeton at the Griggstown Reformed Church Recreation Hall. Visit www.jerseyharmonychorus.org.
#b#Scholarship#/b#
Liam H. Knox, a graduate of High School North and a former contributor to the News, will receive a Mayflower scholarship at the fall luncheon of the Society of Mayflower Descendants in New Jersey on Saturday, November 21, at the Suburban Golf Club in Union.
For information about the Mayflower Society send an inquiry to 30 Chelsea Drive, Oak Ridge 07438. Membership is open to anyone who can prove descent from any of the 41 people who sailed on the Mayflower and whose lines have been proven.
