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Maxxe-imum impact: Rice leads HoVal lax Rice said. “I naturally gravitated toward defense. I saw my It’s not surprising that Maxxe brother play defense. When I Rice failed to mention in conver- first went out all the girls knew sation that she was this year’s their position and knew what they wanted to play. Hopewell Valley CenI tested out midfield, tral High HomecomI tested out attack. ing Queen. Something just kept “She’s a humble drawing me back to girl,” said Bulldogs defense and I couldn’t girls lacrosse coach imagine myself anySara Wagner, who where else.” was the homecoming Wagner is informant. impressed by Rice’s That humility is disRice attitude. played in her sport. “When I played Rice is one of the top I wanted to score players on an HVCHS team that won eight of its first goals,” the coach said with a nine games this year. But few laugh. “But for her it’s fun and people realize it, because she is it’s exhilarating to stop the play a defender who has never gotten or prevent her attack from scoring or getting a shot off. a headline. “Defenders don’t show up in “On defense, it’s hard (to get publicity) because people don’t the stats. You have to be selfreally recognize getting the less to begin with but also deterground balls and forcing turn- mined. You have to have that overs,” the senior said. “Defend- inside of you. She definitely does. That’s a family trait.” ers aren’t usually recognized.” Rice leads a defensive unit And that’s just fine with Rice, because she does it for the love that allowed five or less goals of the game and love of the posi- in six of Hopewell’s first eight tion. Her elder brother, Jack, victories. She teams in the back defended for Lawrenceville with senior Aynsley Mauldin School’s national prep champi- and junior Meghan Hofacker – onship team last year, and is now who has already committed to playing at Swarthmore. Sister play at Lake Forest in Illinois. Sammy, an 8th-grader at Timber- Also rotating in are juniors Elle Sullivan and Katie Reinhart. lane, also plays in the back. See RICE, Page 10 “We’re a family of defenders,”
By rich FiSher
The Chubby’s Project lead volunteer Tom Ledwith with area students and volunteers Alexandra Kasimatis, Emily Stenull, Allie Martin and Chubby’s founder Lyn Farrugia.
The Chubby’s Project celebrates 5 how far years ofwould community connections
you go if they nections in Hopewell Borough The Chubby’s Project was were sick? and surrounding areas. launched in 2020 in response to
By JohN hANey
Since its founding in March For decades, Rose and Chub- the pandemic by founder Lyn 2020, The Chubby’s Project, a by’s Luncheonette, located on Farrugia, niece to Carol MonHopewell non-profit organiza- the corner of Railroad Place tello and current owner of Aunt tion, has been connecting and and Greenwood Avenue, was Chubby’s Luncheonette, to fosengaging the Hopewell Commu- Hopewell’s community gath- ter connections through the nity to help neighbors in need. ering spot serving homestyle kind of intentional neighboring Now marking its five-year meals. Owner Carol Montello “Aunt Chub” was known for. anniversary, the mission has (known locally as “Chubby”) “With the help of volunteers Welcome remained consistent:totoCapital build was Health. known to serve anyone, and church leaders, we began See ChuBBy’S, Page 8 and strengthen community con- regardless of their ability to pay. When someone you care about is sick, you’ll do whatever it takes to make sure they get the best care. And so do we.
Jack’s
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