Students Honored As Unsung Heroes

Fruits and vegetables were for sale, but so were baked goods, popcorn, honey

By Judy Smestad-Nunn

BRICK - The perfect weather likely played a part er’s Market, held at Windward Beach Park on Saturday May 6.

With temperatures in the mid-60s and not a cloud in the sky, as of noon about 2,200 peo - ple had shown up, said Recreation Department employee Joanne Noto, who manned a booth at the entrance and was doing the counting.

“The average has been between 1,500 and 1,800 people, but it’s beautiful out and the vendors are doing great,” she said.

The 502 Baking (Farmer - See Page 4)

4th-Grader Named Semi-Finalist In NASA Competition

By Alyssa Riccardi

BRICK – A local student was one of 45 kids selected as a semi-finalist of a national competition hosted by NASA.

The “Power to Explore Challenge” required students to submit a 200-word essay on how they would use Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) to succeed in their own science mission. RPS is a type of “nuclear battery” that NASA uses to explore the solar system and more.

Sofia Chiaravalle, a 4th grade student at Midstreams Elementary School, wrote about her idea titled “Project Cousteau.” Project Cousteau would be a rover that would investigate the depths of oceans on Europa, (NASA - See Page 6)

By Stephanie Faughnan

TOMS

RIVER

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Ocean County’s top law enforcement office honored 28 elementary and high school students as unsung heroes during a special ceremony earlier this month. While some students were recognized for their resilience in the face of adversity and challenges, others were distinguished for going the extra mile to assist other people. At the onset of introducing the honorees, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer expressed his fondness for the Unsung Hero Student Recognition Awards. Billhimer said he was personally inspired by the students and suggested motivating others might be another (Heroes - See Page 5)

Game Day For Jersey Shore’s “Magical” Community

By Andrey Nalbantov

BRICK – It’s a Wednesday, and 27 duelists from around the region are facing off to determine who will be champion.

Many are strangers, some are long-time friends, others even come from the same family. That night they all had something in common

- playing their favorite trading card game. They were all in a Brick hobby shop’s weekly Yu-Gi-Oh tournament. Decks were heard shuffling, strategies were thrown around. Cheerful laughter and banter rung around the tables after the announcer gave all the COVID hygiene (Game - See Page 9)

Farmer: Continued From Page 1

Company, which sells homemade pie and other baked goods, said they sold out within an hour and had to have their inventory replenished from their local store.

Cathy Walters, who works full time at the bake shop, and Jacob Apple, who only helps out at the Farmer’s Market, said they had sold some 250 to 300 items before 9 a.m.

The Brick Farmer’s Market is a joint effort between the Township Recreation Department, the Department of Public Works, the Parks Department and the township administration, said Recreation Department coordinator Christine Hessenkemper, who has overseen the event since it began nine years ago.

The latest change to the Farmer’s Market is that dogs are allowed, she said. They can accompany their owner to the market on a trial basis.

Brick resident Elise Turner brought her Norwegian elkhound, Nico, to the market.

“Bringing him makes it better - I don’t have to leave the dog at home,” she said. “He’s stimulated because of all the food, but he’s liking it.”

Hessenkemper said plans are in place for a “Leave a Bag, Take a Bag” container where people can take or leave reusable shopping bags for use at the market.

On opening day, there were 58 vendors, six of which were brand new, she said. More would be added as more produce becomes available as the season progresses.

Brick businesses pay $20 for a stand, as do farmers. All others pay $40 for a stand, she said, and vendors who sell unique products are always welcome.

Members of the Brick Volunteer Youth Club were taking shifts, six at a time, and helping out wherever they were needed.

“They help customers with their bags, they help vendors unload, and anything that supports the market,” Hessenkemper said. “It counts towards their community service hours.”

Rich and Cassidy Bomenblit of Herbertsville came to the Farmer’s Market with their baby.

“It’s awesome,” she said. “We’ve bought pickles, popcorn and butter,” she said. “It’s very busy - everything’s sold out,” Rich added.

The market offers something for every taste and interest, ranging from baked goods to plants. This year attendees could buy honey, kettle corn, party dips, jams and jellies, Italian delicacies, wine and spirits, seafood, dried nuts, soaps, meat, pet treats and much more.

There were also about a half dozen food trucks onsite.

The Brick Farmer’s Market will be held every Saturday from 8:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. until September 30.

Heroes: Continued From Page 1 achievement worthy of celebration.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s office has made a conscious effort to work with the schools to promote positive behavior among young people. The aim is to create a supportive environment that empowers students and helps them avoid trouble with the law.

Students selected as unsung heroes were nominated by their individual school districts for the award. Each was identified as a person who does great deeds but receives little or no recognition for themselves.

“This award represents the recognition you deserve,” wrote the Prosecutor’s office in the program containing the names of all of the recipients. “Whether you have overcome obstacles, preserved in the face of great challenges, or improved academically, your faculty and administrators have deemed you worthy of this prestigious honor.”

As part of their recognition, the students were given a certificate and a bag full of goodies and presented with a challenge coin. Challenge coins hold great significance and represent an honor highly valued in military and law enforcement communities. The coins are given as tokens of appreciation and recognition for individuals who have completed a difficult task or distinguished themselves in some way.

Representatives from each of the school districts took turns at the podium to share the qualities that led to the selection of their district’s unsung hero nominee. The presenters represented a variety of roles within the schools, from principals to teachers to social workers and school counselors.

Some of the students faced heart-wrenching losses that profoundly impacted their lives, and had to work diligently to move forward. Children who had relocated multiple times were acknowledged for their determination to adjust to new environments and navigate relationships. Others persevered through mental health and physical challenges. Still others regularly performed random acts of kindness despite an overload of personal commitments.

There was a noticeable trend among the selection of unsung heroes, as the same set of admirable adjectives was repeatedly used to describe each award recipient. Words such as determined, dedicated, resilient, positive, proactive, compassionate, kind, and empathetic appeared to embody the character traits of nearly every student recognized.

Most did not notice that Billhimer diverted from the program and skipped over the student named as the unsung hero from the Frog Pond Elementary School in Little Egg Harbor.

“I wanted to handle this in a respectful way,” shared Billhimer. “The student, Michael Browne, who was nominated for the unsung hero award was in an unimaginable accident and passed away earlier this year.”

Frog Pond Principal Tom Denning and Vice Principal Paul Nazarck took their place at the podium. Nazarack emphasized that Michael had been selected for the award before his death. Indeed, the remarks offered by Denning reflected a much happier time.

“At a young age, Michael faced experiences in his family life that would have caused adults to pause and ponder how to face life’s challenges,” said Denning. “Fortunately, Michael faces life’s challenges head-on.”

“With his loving and caring grandparents, he is adjusting to a new state, a new community, a new school, and making new friends,” Denning continued. “He is rising above the struggles of the earlier part of his life, and he is now able to give better attention to his school responsibilities and show himself, his teachers, and his classmates the amazing things he is capable of.”

According to his obituary, Michael “Mikey” Ryan Browne tragically left his world on April 2, 2023, just days before his thirteenth birthday. His obituary mentions his achievement as an unsung hero.

The list of 2023 Award Recipients and the school districts they represented are as follows: Matthew Fronzuk, Barnegat Township High School; Joseph Thiel, Bay Head Elementary School; Mariah Walling, Brick Memorial High School; Liam Nielson, Brick Township High School; Nathaniel Davis, Central Regional High School; Harrison Headley, Eagleswood Elementary School; Michael Browne, Frog Pond

Elementary School; Yaneli Emilio-Tlapanco, Hugh J. Boyd School; Teagan McGarry, Island Heights School; Denielle Deriode, Jackson Liberty High School; Christophano Marano, Jackson Memorial High School; Charles Elmer, Lacey Township High School; Anthony Palma, Lakewood High School; Skyler Vivenzio, Lavallette Elementary School; Kirra Fredericks, Manchester Township High School; Luis Huitron, New Egypt High School; Ava Yellovich, Ocean Gate Elementary School; Eric Czaplinski, OCVTS-Brick Center; Dinah Van Name, OCVTS-Grunin Performing Arts Academy; John Fitzpatrick, OCTVS-Jackson Center; Matthew Caccavano, OCVTS-Toms River Center; Emma Carlysle Kohler; Pinelands Regional School District; Sabina Smith, Point Pleasant Beach School; Kagni Hostinsky, Point Pleasant Borough High School; Quinn Corbett, Stafford Township Intermediate School; Bella Moderno, Toms River East High School; Alexandra Finter-Flood, Toms River North; and Diana Olivos, Toms River South.

NASA: Continued From Page 1 which is the smallest of the four Galilean moons orbiting Jupiter In her essay, Sofia asked: Is there any existence on Europa? Is there an ocean underneath the ice? How frigid is the water? Can you breathe on Europa? Sofia went on to explain that the rover would collect samples, take pictures of any species, and record temperatures of the environment.

When asked what excited her the most about NASA’s RPS, Sofia expressed her eagerness to learn more about the planets within the solar system.

“I love space and writing so I started working on my entry right away. What I’m most excited about NASA’s RPS probes is that they allow us to learn more about all the planets in the solar system and they may help find life on Europa like in my essay,” Sofia said.

After being named a semi-finalist and recognized by NASA, Sofia said, “I was watching the video when they announced the semi-finalist on the screen at school, I was very excited and screamed in joy when my name popped up!”

Sofia expressed that when she grows up, she would love to be a veterinarian and have the opportunity to work at NASA.

“I do enjoy astronomy and learned the basics from my dad. We visited the planetarium at the college a few times and I’m always asking questions. When I grow up, I would love to become a veterinarian and work at NASA where I can help a create a habitat on Mars. Maybe I can go there someday!” Sofia said.

“I’m so proud of Sofia!” Sofia’s father Dennis said. “She took days to research everything she could on Europa, Jupiter, and RPS probes. It took her a long time to make it under 200 words, the original report was over 20 pages. Being able to see her learn about Europa and discovering that there might be life somewhere else in the solar system was a great joy.”

“We were thrilled when she was recognized! Sofia is very smart and she worked really hard on this project. I can’t wait to see what else she will accomplish,” Dennis added.

Brick Township Green Fair

BRICK – The 11th Annual Brick Township Green Fair, which is sponsored by the Township Environmental Commission, Green Team, Recreation Department and Tourism Development Commission, is scheduled for May 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anstett Cultural Arts Center, 515 Herbertsville Road.

The environmental and sustainability showcase, which is free to attend, features vendors, exhibitors and student groups representing environmental and social responsibility, locally-sourced products and zero waste. This year’s theme is “Sustain Your Health.”

“Exhibitors and schools have been encouraged to make the connection between environmental health and personal health,” according to Mayor Lisa Crate. “For instance, highlighting and demonstrating the importance of water quality, air quality and healthy soil.”

Highlights of this year’s event:

• A rain barrel workshop co-hosted by the Brick MUA

• A clothing and textile recycling drop off provided by Helpsy

• Annual flower plug distribution from Brick Township Shade Tree Commission

• Student based environmental projects and initiatives from Brick Township schools

• A wellness presentation by Ocean University Medical Center

• Self-guided “Pick Up Brick” cleanup of the Sawmill Tract

• Door prizes including Brick Beach Season Passes, composters, garden planters, rain barrels and more

• Food vendors Caldino’s and Big Blue Wrap and Roll

Email krella@bricktownship.net or call Keith Rella at 732-262-1050 for more information.