Student Scholars And Leaders Honored

TRENTON – The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC) honored 37 students from the state’s 18 Community

Colleges for being named to the 2023 New Jersey All-State Academic Team for their outstanding academic achievements and exceptional service to their communities and colleges as members of Phi Theta Kappa, the national honor society for Community Colleges. The New Jersey Community College Scholars Celebration was held at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton.

“These exceptional students utilized the many opportunities that New Jersey’s Community Colleges have to offer and succeeded brilliantly. We applaud the New Jersey All-State Academic Team members for their academic excellence, hard-work, and perseverance to rise to the top of their class. Their tenacity and incredible work ethic serve as an inspiration to all,” said NJCCC President Aaron R. Fichtner, Ph.D.

“These students have thrived on and off campus as community leaders to reach this high level of achievement,” said NJCCC Chair Mary Zimmermann. “They exemplify all the good that comes from a New Jersey Community College education, and we could not be prouder.”

The 2023 New Jersey All-State Academic Team members are:

• Brookdale Community College: Belinda Asamoah (New Brunswick) and Sara Hosbach (Freehold);

• Ocean County College: Brooke Doering (Toms River) and Cynthia Huggins (Brick);

Howell Farmers Market

HOWELL – The 2023 Farmers Market Season kicks off May 21 at their new location, Echo Lake Park! The regular Market Season this year is every Sunday, May 21 to October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This is a rain or shine market, they do make exceptions for weather that would be unsafe for the vendors or shoppers.

More information can be found at twp. howell.nj.us/555/Howell-Farmers-Market -Association.

Classroom:

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The trees, along with 800 oak tree saplings for students to take home, were donated by FirstEnergy as a part of the company’s initiative.

Howell Middle School South Science Teacher Josh Langenberger explained how the project is not only about promoting sustainability, but building global stewards.

“We have about 800 kids, if we can get 10 or 15 of them to go home and plant a tree, or start a garden…Planting a seed is really about the children, it’s giving them the opportunity,” Langenberger said. “I’m excited for them to see these trees bloom. I’m excited for them to see apples right here at their school.”

Along with apples, the donated fruit trees include peach, pear, plum and nectarine. Langenberger said some trees will grow fruit as soon as the end of this year. Students will be able to harvest the fruit, as well as the school’s garden that holds different vegetables that is maintained by the Howell Middle School South Environmental Club.

Additionally, the fruits and vegetables collected in the garden are donated to local food pantries.

“It’s really a cooperation between the township, the environmental commission, and the schools. It’s all about building this partnership so that we’re all working together,” Langenberger said. “What if we had a fruit forest at every school in

Howell Township? Imagine the harvest we’d have, and it’s all donated to the food pantry in town.”

“Ideally in 10 years, our food pantries our stocked, not with canned foods but fresh. It’s all about taking care of our community. My goal is really to create a model here. We’re really hoping that once the students see and become more involved, they feel more a part of the community,” he added.

“We’re excited to be able to work with the Howell Schools and provide these fruit trees, to be able to be a part of the community garden they have going here, and to be able to give the students trees to plant at their home. Environmental stewardship is a core value of ours. This effort here in Howell is part of a larger effort we’re going to plant and give away over 3,000 trees across the state this year. We’re proud to be a part of the effort to take care of our environment,” Chris Hoening of FirstEnergy said.

FREEHOLD – The award-winning Monmouth Civic Chorus presents Message in a Bottle: Songs Sent Across the Seas on May 21 at 4 p.m. This crowd-pleasing concert comprises a collection of iconic shorter works originating in the United States and Europe, featuring favorites by Morten Lauridsen to celebrate his 80th year. The chorus will tour to Austria and Italy with similar repertoire in July.

“The choral works Morten Lauridsen created in the 1990s reignited the choral repertoire, earning quickly and truthfully the oft-meaningless designation ‘instant classics.’ I’ll never forget hearing them for the fi rst time, feeling them mesmerize my young musical mind, said Dr. Brandau. “This was music that somehow glimmered, shone, and pulsed in a way I hadn’t experienced before. Lauridsen alit on a combination of harmony and voicing that beguilingly and powerfully conveyed the images of light and spirit and mystery in his texts.”

Message in a Bottle: Songs Sent Across the Seas takes place May 21 at 4 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church of Freehold, 118 West Main Street, Freehold. Ticket prices are $35 adult, $32 senior, $30 group, $15 student.

All chorus members are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and engage in serial testing per CDC guidelines before the performance. Audience members are no longer required to show proof of vaccination. Masking is respected, but not required. MCC will follow all forthcoming state mandates and reserves the right to amend these policies if it becomes advisable. Tickets and information are available at monmouthcivicchorus.org or 732-933-9333.