http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/2015/11/12/somerset-hunterdon-school-news/74229266/ Scout's work leads to rebirth of North Plainfield school garden STAFF REPORT11:01 a.m. EST November 12, 2015 Student achiever news from: Kean University, Salisbury University, SCVTHS , (Photo: Photo Courtesy of North Plainfield Schools) STORY HIGHLIGHTS Bounty from the Garden at West End School SCVTHS science league participants recognized Kean University students forge a shared commitment to service 16 yeal old renaissance teenager invents a portable 3D printed solar paneled charger CONNECTTWEETLINKEDINCOMMENTEMAILMORE Last fall, former West End student, Bobby Bereheiko, volunteered to revitalize the garden at the North Plainfield elementary school as part of his Eagle Scout project. Over a course of a few months Bereheiko, along with fellow boy scout members, installed a new fence and stepping stones and added weed blocking underlay, mulch,, plant beds, and fresh soil. With money raised through fundraisers, as well as donations, Bereheiko was able to purchase supplies. His hard work and dedication to the project earned him his Eagle Scout badge. Thanks to Bereheiko’s commitment to giving back, a new green learning space for students and teachers was created. This past spring, Nancy Lubreski's kindergarten class and Art teacher Lisa Cerulo participated in a collaborative planting project which extended the classroom experience into the newly designed garden. To obtain a first-hand understanding of seeds, the students, assisted by Dr. Mary Louise Durkin, a class mom, planted pumpkin, squash, sunflower, watermelon and mixed garden seeds. During the summer Durkin and children maintained the garden by weeding and watering the plants. Upon arrival in September students were able to see how the seeds sprouted into hearty plants, with the vines wrapping around the garden. The Room 15 graduates were able to pick the large pumpkins, watermelons and sunflowers to put on display at West End School for the harvest season. Submitted by Beth Sobel, Principal Arts High and Arts Middle School Paintings, drawings and photographs created by Middlesex County Arts High and Arts Middle School students will be on display at the Middlesex Public Library, 1300 Mountain Avenue, Middlesex, and at the Woodbridge Public Library, 1 George Frederick Plaza, Woodbridge, for the month of Nov. The exhibit features work completed by gifted and talented students who participated in the Middlesex County Arts High or Arts Middle School. The programs, now in their 36th year, offer advanced arts classes in creative writing, dance, instrumental music, vocal music, acting and visual arts to students from public, private, and home schools in Middlesex County. Students, admitted to the program through audition, are released from their schools one afternoon each week during the spring semester to participate in the various courses that are taught by professional artists. Works from 54 Middlesex County students were selected for the exhibit this year: Mansi Dubey, Adams Middle School, Edison; Amaya Morales, Carteret High School; Alex Hedge, Anthony Lipnicki, Carteret Middle School; Emanuel Correa, Cedarbrook School, Plainfield,; Piper Finn, Kate McGrath,Yukthi Sangoi, Edgar Middle School, Metuchen; Kevin Flores, Edison High School; Talia Fishman, Highland Park High School; Edan Blank, Liz Broggi-Sumner, Elena De Aguiar,Juliana Dolan, Highland Park Middle School; Jacob Jellison, Natalia Klimchuck, Stephanie Vincitore, Kennedy Memorial High School, Woodbridge; Laura Cannuni, Linwood Middle School, North Brunswick; Madeleine Fenner,Maggie McGuire, Maggie O’Connell, Metuchen High School; Rebekah Torres, Middlesex High School; Remi Egierd, Yash Mathur, Chloe Widmer, Monroe Township Middle School; Rachel Kim, Brianne Koehler, North Brunswick High School; Sabrina Maisonet, Old Bridge High School; Chelssea Calderon, Camila Castillo, Angel Reyes, Perth Amboy High School; Elijah McDonald, Plainfield Academy; Tania Inoa, Plainfield Hugh School; Maximilian Dec, Odina Oluwatomi, Rachel Ossenkopp, Salk Middle School, Old Bridge; Victoria Pietruszewski, Sandburg Middle School, Old Bridge; Raigan Stokes-Carter, Sayreville Middle School; Shreya Patel, Alicja Wisniowska, Sayreville War Memorial High School; Emmanuel Rodriguez, Shull School, Perth Amboy; Lindsay Benko,Gabrielle Mine, Alexis Walker, South Plainfield High School; Aurd Akunne, South Plainfield Middle School; Alexandra Errico, South River High School; Amber McFeeley, South River Middle School; Shreya Devarakonda, Gina Errico, Elizabeth Lee, Colleen Salmonson, Yasas Talagadadeev, Stevens High School, Edison; Angelina Budala, Alexis Tan, Wilson Middle School, Edison. For more information on the exhibit or the Middlesex County Arts High or Arts Middle School programs, or to obtain an application, contact the Arts & Education Center at 732-566- ARTS(2787), email [email protected], or visit our website at www.artshigh.net. This program has been made possible in part by a grant from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/ Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Franklin High School Ambassador Nia Kirkwood of Girl Scout Troop #66339, completed her gold award project on Computer Literacy for the Elderly. Kirkwood is under the leadership of troop leader, Michelle Fielder, Co-Leaders, Linda Darby, Denise Davis, Yvette Murray and supported by her family. “It was with great pleasure that I was able to work with seniors of Spring Hills Assisted Living residence located on DeMott Lane in Franklin Township,” the Girl Scout said. Kirkwood’s dedication and compassion to help bridge the gap of the digital divide allowed senior citizens to connect with their families and friends through learning to use email and social media. This project became very popular with the residents. In fact, one resident was elated and told Kirkwood that her grandchildren are going to be “tickled” when they find out she has a Facebook account. Kirkwood’s efforts also included eight (8) 1 ½ hour sessions that generated interest and excitement with the notion of the integration of computer literacy as part of residential life and activities at Spring Hills. Kirkwood was also given a private donation of a computer to donate to Spring Hills to benefit their community. Hillsborough High School The Hillsborough High School RoboRaiders will host a BoroBlast at the school at 466 Raider Blvd. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. The event is for students in grades 4-8 participating in the FIRST Lego League (http://www.firstlegoleague.org/). At BoroBlast, teams from all over New Jersey come and compete with the robots that they have worked hard to create using Legos and other mechanical moving pieces. This is a statewide qualifying competition for the league. Food is provided and admission is free and open to the public. Kean University Kean sophomore Sarah Mack recently traveled to Cambodia, tackling the root causes of human trafficking and poverty in an at-risk community. Her trip was funded in part by Sarah’s Love, the non-profit organization Mack’s classmate and friend Kevin Smith founded in her honor. Bonding over their shared love of people, Mack and Smith were able to make a difference in their communities and the world. “Cambodia was by far my greatest adventure,” said Mack. “I learned that life is better lived outside of my comfort zone.” Mack spent three months in Cambodia teaching English. Drawn to Cambodia initially by the issue of human trafficking, Mack chose to work with the non-profit organization Heart of Hope at a small school located within a predominantly Vietnamese community. Heart of Hope is dedicated to empowering children through education and faith. Mack served in an area where children are at high risk for human trafficking, domestic abuse, gang violence, drug abuse and malnutrition. In an environment rife with poverty and hopelessness, the school’s warm communal atmosphere helped her overcome many challenges. “What helped me to get through it all was the 90-plus missing-teeth-smiles all singing "hello" and offering a high-five to me as I walked through the doorway,” said Mack. Mack’s commitment to service inspired Kevin Smith to form a non-profit organization, Sarah's Love, to support her volunteerism. Sarah's Love helped fund Mack’s missionary journey to Cambodia and also supports The Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Smith later expanded the charity beyond missionary funding to support food drives, clothing drives, Christmas gifts for underprivileged children, and a scholarship for an NJ college student. To learn more about Heart of Hope, visit heartofhopecam.org. To learn more about Smith’s non-profit organization, visit www.sarahslove.org. Kean University student Sarah Mack in Cambodia with one of her students. (Photo: Photo Courtesy of Kean University) Kent Place School The Admission Office at Kent Place School, an independent, college-preparatory day school for girls and young women, with a coed Preschool, is hosting an open house for prospective families interested in Preschool (Junior Pre-Kindergarten and Pre-Kindergarten), Primary School (Grades K-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8) or Upper School (Grades 9-12) on Sunday, Nov.15 from 1 to 3 p.m. on the school’s campus. Following a brief information session, attendees will tour the 26-acre campus and meet members of the faculty, administration and staff. To register, visitwww.kentplace.org/admission/dates. The Preschool at Kent Place