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Fields of dreams, 4 j Honoring veterans, 13 j Health & Fitness, 18 THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015 Sentinel gmnews.com North Brunswick • South Brunswick Principal addresses fighting incidents at high school By JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer ix incidents of fighting amongst stu­ dents have been addressed at South SBrunswick High School (SBHS). Principal Peter Varela posted a letter to parents on the district website on May 2 to address rumors about violence in the high school last week. “This is atypical behavior for SBHS stu­ dents, as 99 percent of our student body, on a daily basis, attends school to learn and en­ gage in activities that are positive and that contribute to the great reputation we have across Middlesex [County], New Jersey and the country," he said. Varela dispelled rumors that there were 17 fights in two days, 16 police cars pres­ ent on any day, and more than 35 students suspended each day. However, Varela said any students found to be engaging in inappropriate behavior would be disciplined with logical and pos­ sibly legal consequences. “Fighting is not tolerated at SBHS, and we will continue to educate students in ef­ fective decision-making so their choices im­ pact their futures positively,” he said. “We offer mediation to students when conflicts arise and educate our students that fighting is not the solution to resolving problems. We also bring parents in to do the same if FRANK WOJCIECHOWSK! we feel the students themselves cannot re­ Rich Weidman, left to right, Bill Hlubik, Matt Milbum and Dave Smela weed a strawberry garden at the Davidsons Mill Pond Park in South solve differences.” Brunswick on April 22. Varela also cited the inappropriate be­ havior of bystanders. “There is a natural tendency for some Community grows with the help of master gardeners high-school-aged students to want to watch others get into trouble or crowd around a By CHRISTINE BARCIA Master Gardener Environmental & Com­ The key to the success of school gardens Staff Writer munity Stewardship Program in Middlesex is for the students to maintain them and be­ fight to observe,” he said. “This behavior empowers those that have decided to par­ chool gardens are in high demand, as County. come “invested” in their growth, she said. “There is magic in seeds,” he said. “A Schools are just one place that master gar­ take in the inappropriate behavior.” they cultivate more than fruits and He said some students carrying cell­ vegetables. lot of kids have never seen that.” deners can be found sharing their knowledge S Pat Evans, coordinator of the program, of horticulture. They can often be seen speak­ phones record the incidents and go so far as Bringing lessons in science, the envi­ to post them online. ronment and the community out of the said since she became the program coordi­ ing at garden clubs and churches, as well. nator in 2004, the volunteers can “barely “We get lots of requests for speakers on “This is not acceptable, and this behav­ classroom, these gardens serve as a popular ior will not be tolerated. We have observed teaching tool. satisfy the needs for school gardens.” anydiing related to horticulture,” Evans said. She attributes this to the focus in schools Popular topics at this time of year are enough students doing this that 1 ask you to “School gardens are a hot commodity,” have a conversation with your children said Jay Scott, a retired school principal on being “green.” spring gardening and pruning. And Evans “There is more of an awareness regard­ said lectures about composting have been about these behaviors,” Varela implored of who became a master gardener in 2008. the parents. A home gardener for 25 years, Scott ing the environment and healthy eating,” particularly popular. began volunteering after completing the Evans said. (Continued on page 6) (Continued on page 27) AVAILABLE OUTDOOR CALI 732-358-5200 NOW! ADVERTISING IMAGE SIZE: 45.5" WIDE BY 66.5" HIGH 2 SENTINEL NS GREATER MEDIA NEWSPAPERS • www.gmnews.com May 7, 2015 ’ v f l j BJibiE►Y* 1 1i f ) t j a 11 ^ Visit ' our Gift Shop ' for a unique & special gift for mom. One f r U u f i k y / i ] [ i j i r-»j J k Wi f ( * 1] 1 1/A£* LI 1 1 - \VTjj l Y x n V of the largest in J V j t a m *Ji n S c Y l r R l| ‘i i j * 7 ^ i the area! Any Regular FARMS The Water Barden Priced Item Capitol Not to be combined SUPPtlES & EXPERIEN W of NJ ^ w/any other offer. 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May 7, 2015 GREATER MEDIA NEWSPAPERS • www.gmnews.com NS SENTINEL 3 'American Idol' contestant has happy homecoming By JEREMY GROSSMAN Staff Writer os Angeles might appear to have everything, but for L“American Idol” hopeful Jax. there are some things that only a trip back home to East Brunswick can give her. “I miss Dunkin’ Donuts,” Jax said. “They have, like, one Dunkin’ Donuts in the whole world of Cali- fomia-land.” On May 1, Jax — the most suc­ cessful “American Idol” contestant to come out of New Jersey — re­ turned to her hometown of East Brunswick for a parade and per­ formance that was attended by more than 1,000 fans and friends cheering her name and waving “East Brunswick Loves Jax” signs. In a year of tough “Idol” com­ petition, the 1.8-year-old worked and sang her heart out to the Top 4, earning her a trip back home for a celebration that was aired on the May 6 episode of “American Idol.” — and have known her for many, For just one day, Jax traded the many years — it’s just as surreal “Idol” stage for the more familiar seeing her turn into a star. Playhouse 22 stage on Cranbury “It’s pretty weird, actually,” said Road, swapping out Ryan Seacrest Jake Berger, who has known Jax for for East Brunswick Mayor David nearly his whole life, and is best Stahl. And instead of singing to friends with her brother. “I’ve judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban known her for a long time, and it and Harry Connick Jr., she sang to a just feels surreal that I actually crowd of people who have sup­ know someone on the show.” ported her since the very beginning. Berger said the most surreal mo­ Her mother, Jill Miskanic, said ment was when he was invited to sit PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN/STAFF she is grateful for the support of the in the audience for an “Idol” Attendees from New Jersey and beyond came out to community. episode. At the end of Jax’s per­ support “American Idol” contestant Jax as she made her grand return home to East Brunswick for a parade “I’m experiencing such pride to formance, she came over and be a resident of East Brunswick,” and performance that was featured on the May 6 hugged him. episode. Miskanic said. “Everybody came “I was there [on TV] for a sec­ out today, and I am overwhelmed ond,” Berger said. “It was cool to she’s so charismatic, and so cre­ Burch pin­ with love. This is bizarre. This watch myself.” ative. ... Just the name ‘Jax’ is an pointed what she whole experience is insane, and I Jax’s seventh-grade math iconic name, almost like thinks makes Jax am feeling so proud to be a resident teacher from Hammarskjold Mid­ Madonna.” so special. of this community.” dle School in East Brunswick, Allen said she has been a fa­ “She has a Following a parade with Jax rid­ Cheryl Canonaco, was also there to vorite since the beginning of this really unique ing with her parents and brother, share her support for her former stu­ season. voice, and she she took the stage and performed dent. “So we’ve been hoping that she has different per­ hits ‘Toxic” by Britney Spears and “She’s a good person,” got this far so that we could go,” she sonalities when “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Canonaco said of Jax. “She was just said. she performs,” Beatles — her original audition always happy. She was always Like many other attendees, Burch said. song. She also sang “Cups” from cheerful. She was always bopping Guzman and Allen said their fa­ “Like, she can the movie “Pitch Perfect” and “My and singing tunes as she was doing vorite Jax performance so far was be really sophis­ Immortal” by Evanescence. her work. And she’s just a nice per­ of her family and friends. her emotional cover of “White ticated and collected, or she can be “I think it shows that, with de­ With a huge fan following, Jax son, and I think that comes through Flag” by Dido, although many cited all-out, and that’s really cool.” candidly admitted that there would when you watch her on TV.” termination in America, you can her cover of “Human” by Christina Stahl, as mayor of East continue to grab the brass ring and always be a twinge of “awkward­ Some people traveled long dis­ Perri as the one that stood out the Brunswick, also said he is proud to ness” at getting recognized on the tances to East Brunswick to see Jax, be the best that you can, and that’s most.

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