Seventh grade students at Woodrow Wilson Middle School were visited by a trio of authors on May 23. The event was coordinated by health teacher Pat Dykstra. Each year, her classes read We Beat the Street: How a Friendship Pact Led to Success, a novel about three friends from Newark who made a pact to avoid the dangers of the street and instead become doctors. Pictured at left is author and physician George Jenkins with students. It’s official: Woodrow Wilson is the most generous school in the state. The Van Houten Ave. school was awarded first place by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for raising $22,500, which was a new state record for the Olive Garden’s Pasta for Pennies program. Students collected spare change, held class competitions, ran bake sales and did other events to raise the winning amount. Olive Garden staff were on hand at WW to present more than 150 students a free lunch. Pictured are Rebecca Beres, Jessica Orr, Cindy Hernandez, Mohini Savalia and Pasqua Chiaviello. Details at www.schoolandyouth.org/nj. Locks of Love will be receiving 2,413 inches of hair in the 8th annual campaign coordinated by CCMS teacher Kim (Carline) Dreher. Locks of Love provides hairpieces to children under age 21 suffering from long-term medical hair loss from any diagnosis. Dreher, at right, asked to send thanks to stylists Shannon, Jessica, Heather, Crystal, Reem, Stacey and Charlotte Malfitano Hagelin. Getting that many students, teachers and friends to have their hair cut for the cause needed some sweets and treats. “We also want to recognize California Pizza Kitchen, Hot Bagels Abroad, Dunkin Donuts, 7-11 and Hunan Wok for donating food for our participants and stylists,” wrote Dreher. “Thanks also to Beverly Swisher of The Garden Party for the centerpiece.” Clifton Merchant • June 2013 75