C OMMUNITY N EWS Howell Resident Will Present At Academic Symposium

HOWELL – Centenary University showcased outstanding research and professional experiences by 19 students at its annual Academic Symposium on Thursday, April 6. At Centenary, student researchers and interns are mentored by faculty who are experts in their fields.

“Independent research and professional experiences are hallmarks of the Centenary University academic experience,” explained David Dauwalder, Ph.D., interim vice president for academic affairs. “Working alongside faculty members, Centenary students develop important career skills, including problem-solving, critical thinking, statistical analysis, and presentation. Smaller universities like Centenary offer unique research opportunities that aren’t often available to undergraduates at larger universities. That sets our graduates apart on applications for graduate and veterinary school, as well as employers.”

Centenary students presenting at this year’s Academic Symposium include:

Victoria Schirripa, senior, from Howell – “Researching Empathy Between Dogs and Human Social Situations: Analyzing Sex and Age.”

Local Teen A Finalist In Music Competition

HOWELL – A Monmouth County teen has been named as fi nalist in the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Your Song! Your Voice! Shout Down Drugs New Jersey music competition, which challenges New Jersey high school students to create original music with lyrics containing peerto-peer substance use prevention messages.

Leela Kumar of Howell High School earned her spot in the statewide program with her original song “Passion On It’s Own.” This year there were 27 fi nalists from 10 different counties throughout the state. Online voting has been ongoing and will remain open through midnight on April 24. To vote online go to shoutdowndrugs. com/contestants.

Your Song! Your Voice! is sponsored by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey (PDFNJ) with support from 95.9 WRAT. The competition will culminate with the virtual Prevention Concert, to be held on the Shout Down Drugs website (ShoutDownDrugs.com) on April 25.

“This is the 19th year we have held this competition,” states Angelo Valente, PDFNJ’s Executive Director. “I commend these students on being leaders and sharing these inspiring songs with their peers.”

The fi rst, second and third place winners will be announced live on 95.9 FM by Jimmy Steal, WRAT’s Creative Services Director and Afternoon Drive Host at 6:40 p.m. immediately following the concert. The audio show will also remain online for listeners on the Shout Down Drugs website.

Murder Mystery Dinner Show

HOWELL – Lucky you! You’ve been invited to the Dunn Speakeasy for the wedding of the year! In this “married to the mob” event, you’ll never know who to trust. With the two families merging together, someone is bound to lose power, which means someone else will lose their life! Get on the trolley and solve this case with your fellow detectives.

The Southard Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner Show on June 2 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50. Enjoy a buffet dinner, dessert, coffee and tea as well as a bar. Purchase at eventbrite.com/e/murder-mysterydinner-show-tickets-584108031847.

Earth Day 2023

HOWELL – Earth Day will be celebrated on April 22 at Alfred C. Sauer Park at Echo Lake from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Workshops & Presentations On: Composting

Planting A Pollinator Garden

Tree Planting & Care

Plus iNaturalist demo, vendors, and free seedling giveaways! For more information or interested in being a vendor, contact: Department of Community Relations 732-9384500 ext. 2106; sfecher@twp.howell.nj.us.

Howell PAL eater

Company Presents: Peter Pan

HOWELL – Howell PAL Theater Company presents: Peter Pan. Auditions: June 5 through 9. Show dates: September 8 and 9 at the Strand Theater, Lakewood.