–Courtesy Oak Hill Academy
Oak Hill Academy Honors Nation’s Veterans
LINCROFT – Oak Hill Academy students, staff, and parents honored veterans Nov. 7 during the school’s annual Veterans Day program.
More than 100 students in kindergarten through 8th grade performed by creating PowerPoint tributes, doing dramatic readings, singing and playing instruments. Alumni came back to perform as did a professional brass duo and the Christian Brothers Academy Pipes and Drums.
Patrice Murray, director of personnel/administration, organized the annual program. Each year, she chooses a theme that will educate students about a different aspect relating to the service of veterans.
The program started in November 2001. “After the impact we all felt from Sept. 11th, as a school, we decided to recognize and honor those in the military who fought, and are still fighting, for our freedom and protection,” Murray said.
Among programs held for Veterans Day, Oak Hill honored its alumni and parents who are veterans. Speakers have included high-ranking military officials and representatives from the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund and the Hope for the Warriors Fund.
Murray said the talent of the students and faculty, particularly staff members Kelly Tyma (music), Bridget DeVivo (drama/dance) and Beth Ann Griller (technology), have made the Veterans Day programs memorable.
This year, the themes were “Remembering the Sacrifices of Our Soldiers,” “Honoring the Sullivan Brothers” and “Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of The National Anthem.”
The United States Marine Corps Color Guard, 4th Logistic Group, presented the colors during the opening of the program. Kindergartners led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem.
Veterans who were in attendance were recognized throughout the program. As each veteran arrived, they were given ribbons to wear signifying their service to their country. Students and staff submitted the names of veterans in their families. As seventh-grader Aron Wiener played the piano, the list of names was scrolled on the 20-foot screen on the stage.
Two local musicians, Janet and Tom Bender, played the trumpet and were accompanied by Pam Momyer on piano. They played “A Tribute to the Armed Service.” As the song from each branch of the service was played, Tyma announced it and veterans from that branch stood to the applause of the audience.
Army veteran Leslie Ybarra, who is the mother of Isabella, an eighth-grader, spoke about her career path and experiences in the military.
Student readers defined who was a veteran and briefly outlined the history of Veterans Day.
The school paid tribute to math teacher Rita Cotterell’s son, Ryan, who has begun his journey as a Marine. She was presented a Blue Star Service Flag, signifying a family member whose is currently serving in the military.
At the conclusion of the program, Headmaster Joseph A. Pacelli read a presidential proclamation about Veterans Day.
The program concluded with Murray asking each veteran to stand and be recognized. “We salute you, we thank you,” she said. “Taps” was also played.
Little Silver PTO Helps Those in Need
LITTLE SILVER – In advance of the Thanksgiving holiday, Little Silver families joined together to bag some kindness with the PTO’s Community Outreach Team.
Leading up to the Nov. 14 “Bag Brigade,” children across all grades donated various food items to pack in each bag. Each grade competed to see which would bring in the most, with the seventh grade class winning the honor – and a pizza party.
The turnout at the bagging event was large with the community coming together to pack 250 complete meals for Lunch Break in Red Bank. Additionally, more than 20 turkeys were donated.
Helping the families put together their bags were 25 eighth-graders who volunteered their Friday night for the event.
The meals were delivered directly to Lunch Break, taking the crew more than a half-hour to unload the truck.
“One person can make an impact,” said Lori Lopez of the community outreach team. “Collectively, as a community it’s even more powerful. The power of giving awakens the human spirit. The recipients of these meals know that someone out there cares.”
Additional information is available by visiting www.LittleSilverPTO.org.
Rumson Schools Presenting One-Man Show On Issues Facing Parents, Kids
RUMSON – “You Don’t Know Me Until You Know Me,” a humorous and sometimes heart-breaking one-man show by actor and psychologist, Dr. Michael Fowlin, will be presented at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, at Holy Cross School, 40 Rumson Road.
The program, geared to parents and their middle school children, touches on topics such as discrimination, violence prevention, personal identity and suicide.
During the show, Fowlin slips in and out of nine characters, both male and female, who share their thought-provoking stories that also suggest solutions.
The entertaining and informative presentation will be followed by a Q & A session.
Fowlin will perform for students at Forrestdale School in the morning and Holy Cross School in the afternoon of Dec. 10.
About Town
RUMSON
The Northern Monmouth County Branch of AAUW invites the public to its annual pre-holiday program at 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, by Mary Anne Anderl. Her presentation will focus on the work of Raphael, the Italian painter and architect of the High Renaissance.
The program will be held at the Rumson Presbyterian Church, 4 E. River Road, and will begin with a gala refreshment table followed by a video presentation and lecture by Anderl.
Raphael was considered one of the Renaissance trinity of artists, along with Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. He produced numerous masterpieces in the early 1500’s that include a number of Madonnas and “The School of Athens.” Part of the presentation will feature how Raphael’s frescoes create a very special space within Pope Julius II’s library in the Vatican.
Anderl, a member of the Northern Monmouth County Branch of AAUW, has captivated members of the branch and guests from the community with her presentations each year. She does meticulous research and has a keen eye for beauty. She holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English literature from Princeton where she focused her studies on the Middle Ages and Dark Ages and later extended her work to the art of those periods. She is a longtime member of AAUW’s Art History Study Group and a past president of the branch.
There will be a $15 admission at the door. The funds raised from the event are used to support AAUW’s mission and program.
Additional information is available by calling 732-933-4855.
LINCROFT
“Untold History of the United States, Part One,” will be presented with guest speakers at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Unitarian meetinghouse at 1475 W. Front. St.
Beginning at the close of World War II, this 10-part documentary series from Academy Award-winning director Oliver Stone, examines events that have played a key role in shaping the history of the United States as a world power.
Guest speakers will be available for a Q-and-A and discussion after the film.
Additional information is available by contacting Dan Ciaglia at 732-284-6312 or danciaglia@gmail.com.
WEST LONG BRANCH
Monmouth University will host Project PRIDE (Promoting Responsibility in Drug Education) program from 4 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, in Pollak Theatre.
The program, run through the state Department of Corrections, sends inmates into universities and schools to talk to students about the wrong choices they have made and the resulting consequences.
The inmates will discuss their personal stories and experiences with the criminal justice system.
The program is free and open to the public.
Additional information is available by calling Suanne Schaad, Monmouth University substance awareness coordinator, at 732-263-5804.
