Union Leader - May 2021

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Liberty Hall’s arboretum

— See Page 2

UHS alum pens novel

— See Page 3

Gardening at Vauxhall

— See Page 10

VOL. 06 NO. 03

MAY 2021

Kean U. partners with area school districts for academic program

By EmilyAnn Jackman Staff Writer Kean University will be offering a new program beginning this summer for fall enrollment, the Kean Scholar Academy, a dual-enrollment initiative created by university President Lamont O. Repollet.

This program will prepare selected high school students for college by bringing them on campus to earn as many as 12 to 15 college credits in their selected major, starting in the ninth grade. It will also provide internships, mentoring, social-emotional learning activities and counseling. Students will also have the opportunity to work with municipal and business community members to research, investigate and provide solutions to issues within their communities.

Repollet, a former New Jersey education commissioner, school superintendent and principal, proposed the idea at a roundtable meeting with K-12 school leaders and university officials, who have since worked to build the academy program.

“The Kean Scholar Academy offers unique opportunities for students who may not otherwise have them,” Repollet said in a press release. “That’s what Kean is all about — offering a world-class education and helping students to grow and develop in ways they often don’t expect.

This will accelerate the pace of their education. We truly want to give our scholars the college experience that no other dualenrollment program offers.”

Special assistant to Repollet and Kean Scholar Academy Executive Director Jason Lester echoed the sentiment.

“This has stirred a lot of excitement.

It’s being well received by all the parents we’ve been talking to in these communities.” he said in the same press release.

“The students’ home school districts will pay their tuition using grants and federal funding earmarked for programs to accelerate student access. Kean will provide

Photo Courtesy of Kean University

Kean University, pictured above, has launched an academic scholar program in partnership with various area school districts, including Roselle, Union Township and Hillside. technology, some transportation and other support.”

Students from at least 10 school districts, in Union, Essex, Middlesex and Passaic counties, will be chosen for the program by their districts. Roselle Public School District is one of those districts, and incoming freshmen at Abraham Clark High School will now have the opportunity to participate in this program.

“At the Roselle Public School District, we are always looking for new ways to bring opportunities to our students,” Roselle Superintendent of Schools Nathan L. Fisher told the Union Leader. “This program is not just about students receiving college credits while still in high school; it’s also about being ready for college and being ready for success in the future.

“The road to higher education in minority communities is difficult, so this program is an incredible opportunity for our qualified students,” he continued.

“This precollege program will help to provide our students with not only college

credits, but with university mentors prepared to provide academic and career guidance along with individual and group counseling.”

“Attending a dual-enrollment precollege program definitely increases the likelihood of students attending college,” Abraham Clark High School Principal Terry Shareef told the Union Leader. “The unknown is always a bit uncomfortable, especially for students who may be firstgeneration college bound. Such programs as the Kean scholars program give students an advantage in not only building foundational skills, but also in preparing them for some of what they can expect in their freshman year of college, with regard to rigor and course expectations. Students get a sense of the independence of college life, while still receiving that much-needed support at home and in school.”

According to Kean, the school districts selected so far to take part in addition to Roselle are Union, Hillside, Newark, See PROGRAM, Page 4

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2 — May 2021 — Union Leader

Photos Courtesy of Rachael Goldberg

Liberty Hall, on Kean University’s campus, has been designated as an arboretum by ArbNet, the only global initiative to recognize arboretums officially based on a set of professional standards.

Liberty Hall designated as NJ’s newest arboretum Just in time for spring, Liberty Hall has been designated as an arboretum by the global organization ArbNet. The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program is the only global initiative to recognize arboretums officially based on a set of professional standards. In order to become recognized as a Level 2 Arboretum, Liberty Hall satisfied stringent criteria, including having a collection with a minimum of 100 species, varieties or cultivars of trees or woody plants, as well as enhanced educational and public programming.

“There have been many moving components that helped turn this idea into another part of Liberty Hall’s rich legacy, and we are thrilled to receive accreditation as an arboretum,” said Megan Couch, Liberty Hall’s newly appointed arboretum director. “The museum’s trees and plants will be labeled, providing an interactive experience for our visitors.”

The Arboretum at Liberty Hall is home to some of the state’s most historically significant trees, including a horse chestnut planted in 1770 by the daughter of New Jersey’s first elected governor and Liberty Hall’s first resident, William Livingston. Bartlett and Seckel pear trees on the property also date from the 18th century. Liberty Hall’s storied history began in 1760, when Livingston, who would be elected governor in 1776, purchased a large tract of land in Elizabethtown to take up farming and embrace country living. Livingston’s descendants, the Kean family, lived on the property until 1995.

As each generation of residents added to the exquisite planting schemes Livingston laid out, a truly unique garden took shape, making Liberty Hall a living archive of more than 250 years of American garden design. The grounds surrounding Liberty Hall underscore the Livingston and Kean families’ love of nature. Documents

chronicling the history of the grounds have been preserved and archived by the family and continue to provide a guiding influence for present-day caretakers.

“Adding an arboretum to the museum campus seemed like a natural fit and I am excited about this new aspect. I cannot wait to welcome patrons of all ages to come and enjoy New Jersey’s newest arboretum,” said Liberty Hall’s executive director, Rachael Goldberg.

Liberty Hall is located on the campus of Kean University and provides a wide variety of research opportunities to the university’s faculty and students.

The Arboretum at Liberty Hall will open for tours starting Thursday, April 1. Open from April to December with guided and self-guided tour options, the museum continues to delight visitors from around the world in every season. For more information on tours and events, call Liberty Hall at 908-527-0400 or visit libertyhall.kean.edu.

Union Leader — May 2021 — 3

UHS alumnus creates fantasy world in new novel

By Yael Katzwer Editor A true man of many talents, Union High School alumnus Frantz Charles recently celebrated the release of his novel, “The GCP: The First Resurrection,” an exciting fantasy set in the not-so-distant future.

“The GCP stands for ‘God’s Chosen People,’” Charles told the Union Leader. “It tells the story of three different characters who face different challenges, like depression, parental issues, dealing with toxic relationships and anxiety while defending Earth from the gods who seek to destroy it.”

The young-adult fantasy novel takes place in a parallel universe, where the planet is being attacked by a set of gods, led by the mighty goddess Vera. Three teenagers become humanity’s defenders as they battle their own demons. Angela Lopez, a 17-year-old, fights depression along with alien forces and discovers her superpowers.

Cade Walker, a 16-year-old, has conflicting alliances as he commits to protecting Alice, his pregnant lover. And Cade’s half-brother, Colvin Walker, an 18-year-old, is a cold-blooded captain leading the war for Heaven.

While Charles may not be taking on the responsibility of battling gods and saving the planet, he is taking on the responsibilities of being a full-time student at William Paterson University, where he is majoring in communication; a novelist and poet; a public speaker; a mentor; and a businessman.

“Before writing stories I did poetry. It’s such an amazing art, and I implemented poetry into my debut novel.

Poetry to me is a deep expression revealing what’s inside of a person,” Charles said. “I do speaking engagements and I do mentor young men to live a better and proper lifestyle. I personally have a heart for inner-city kids who lack a foundation and parental guidance. I want to be that figure and I’ve been blessed to have that opportunity to do so. Right now I’m running my own company called Godly Visionz, which is an entertainment company. Right now I’m publishing book titles under Godly Visionz and I plan to release films as well with my company.”

As the CEO of Godly Visionz, Charles was able to publish own novel, which — with all his other undertakings — took eight years to complete.

“Being a full-time student and writing a novel — as well as being a full-time manager at Red Lobster — was very difficult, and it’s why it took me years to finish this book,” Charles said. “I never really had time to myself. There were

Photos Courtesy of Frantz Charles

Frantz Charles, an alumnus of Union High School, recently published his first novel, ‘The GCP: The First Resurrection.’ days I did school then I went straight to work. In between classes I’m editing writing. Once I’m at work I’m focused at work, and when I get home I do homework. The time I have to write is really late at night, and that’s when my creative juices flow best. If you notice, I didn’t have much time for social events or to myself because I was focused on doing what I love and see it come to life. I’m a workaholic.”

But it is this multitasking personality that fuels Charles’ creativity; he usually combines exercise or listening to music with his creative process.

“My writing process usually starts with me jogging or daydreaming while listening to music. My mind begins to play a movie in my head of a new story. I find myself saying the dialogue and seeing the characters and the challenges they face,” Charles said. “I don’t just freestyle and write, but I write down the issue of the story. Then I begin to plan out the story, character, setting and the plot.

According to Charles, structuring the story before putting pen to paper helps keep him on topic when he does eventually write it down.

“I love just writing,” Charles said, adding, however, that he does not enjoy writing fight scenes. “I hate writ-

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ing large-scale fighting scenes, but it’s my mind telling me this is a vital scene needed. But I do enjoy reading the end result of my fighting scenes — very fun to read.”

Though Charles grew up in East Orange and West Orange, transferring to Union High School at the start of his junior year had a profound impact on his writing.

“Union helped me become a better writer because I attended a class called ‘young-adult fiction,’ Charles said.

“Just reading books like ‘Uglies’ helped me become a better writer. Union was the only city that had a class like that that helped build one of my talents.”

Despite having accumulated so many accomplishments already, Charles has no intention to slow down.

“Right now, me and my agent are working on a few titles to publish soon,” Charles said. “One of my future goals is to get into the film industry. I’m currently in William Paterson for communication–media production. I love writing, but I do want to see my creativity on screen. So I’m working on those for right now.”

For more information about Charles and his writing, visit www.frantzcharles.com. “The GCP” is available for purchase on Amazon.com and through Barnes & Noble.

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4 — May 2021 — Union Leader

Celebrate Earth Day, every day in Union County As Earth Day approaches, many Union County residents and visitors look for ways in which to commemorate the event.

Picking up litter, planting trees and producing educational programs are among the many traditional Earth Day activities supported by the Board of County Commissioners.

We also recognize that our everyday habits can have an impact on the environment, and we encourage the whole Union County community to learn new ways in which we can all make a daily difference.

One good place to start is the statewide Choose to Reuse NJ campaign. The campaign aims to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags, to help cut down on singleuse bags.

In particular, single-use plastic bags have become notorious symbols of environmental damage. When disposed improperly, plastic bags easily become windblown litter that can harm wildlife in our county parks. They can also blow into local waterways and travel to the ocean, where they affect marine life.

To help prevent this damage, a new state law will ban single-use paper and plastic grocery bags, effective May 2022. Visitors to Union County parks can help prepare for the change by using sturdy tote bags or backpacks to carry picnic items and other gear, instead of relying on single-use bags.

POINT OF VIEW

BY ALEXANDER MIRABELLA

Used or broken fishing line is another form of plastic waste that can harm wildlife. Visitors to county parks can help prevent birds, turtles and other local wildlife from getting tangled up by depositing used or broken fishing line in the “Reel In and Recycle” bins now located at several popular fishing spots throughout the county parks system.

Visitors to our parks can also pitch in this year by keeping an eye out for the spotted lanternfly. This invasive pest threatens our native trees and other plants and should be destroyed on-site.

We also continue our free countywide recycling events, and we recently introduced the Recycle Coach mobile app, to help our residents keep up-to-date on news and schedules for their local recycling programs, as well as countywide events.

More information about Recycle Coach and all Union County recycling programs is available online at ucnj.org/recycle.

This year, we are also continuing our traditional Arbor Day activities, aimed at encouraging the public to plant and care for trees. Earlier this month, we provided free trees for tree-planting activities at local schools, and we are now reviewing submis-

Photo Courtesy of Union County

sions to our annual Arbor Day poetry contest for students.

Another ongoing program supported by the Board of County Commissioners is the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County. The extension continues to run environmental programs for adults and students, and it has introduced new online activities, too. More information is available at ucnj.org/rce.

Finally, I am very happy to report that Union County will host an Earth Day celebration this year, on Saturday, April 24, on the grounds of our Trailside Nature and Science Center in Mountainside.

We are delighted to bring back this

annual event. It is a wonderful opportunity to meet live animals, celebrate wildlife and embrace environmental conservation in our community. Visitors can stroll the grounds or sign up in advance for scheduled activities. For more information, visit ucnj.org/trailside.

For quick links to all environmental programs and activities in Union County, visit ucnj.org/green-connection.

Let us all celebrate this Earth Day, every day.

Alexander Mirabella is the chairperson of the Union County Board of County Commissioners.

Program provides opportunities to high schoolers (Continued from Page 1) Passaic, South Orange–Maplewood, Plainfield, Orange, East Orange and Carteret.

In Roselle, only students attending Abraham Clark High School — the only public high school in the borough — are eligible.

“This is a partnership directly between the Roselle Public School District and Kean University, so that’s why only ACHS students are eligible,” Fisher said. “Private schools may have similar programs, but it would be up to the individual institution to set up the partnership.”

According to Kean University, each student will have an individualized education plan based on academic interests.

While there, students will also get a taste of life on a college campus. Academy students will start on campus once per week for class and attend a second session through synchronous in-person and virtual learning. The first group of 60 to 120 academy students will start with a fourweek orientation on Kean’s Union and Skylands campuses, and virtually. They will also have twice-monthly team-building activities on Saturdays.

Students will be chosen for the program by their districts, based on criteria such as grades, school attendance, involvement and commitment to excel.

“In order to be eligible, students must

have an average of 85 percent in all classes,” Fisher said, adding that a grade-point average of 3.5 or better; a score of 3 or ideally 4 on the standardized exam — Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for Colleges and Careers/NJ Student Learning Assessments — in English language arts and mathematics or other districtspecific assessment equivalent; 10 or fewer combined absences and tardies to school; and at least one extracurricular program, club or sport is preferred. An application and district input forms must be completed as part of the process. There is no test for eligibility.

“Grace Wilday Junior High School recently hosted a parent information session for rising ninth-graders to begin the process to identify eligible students,” Fisher said.

A Class of 1999 alumnus of Kean University, Fisher added that he understands the university’s commitment to academic excellence.

“I am honored and excited that our district is just one of 10 that has partnered with such a well-known, and local, university on this program,” said the superintendent. “Our students and what education looks like for them in the future is my top priority, and this program is just another way our scholars can get ahead.”

Shareef agreed with Fisher about the program, saying it was a wonderful oppor-

tunity and game-changer for their scholars.

“Both Roselle Public Schools overall and Abraham Clark High School specifically have experienced a leader shift,” he said. “As the new superintendent, Dr. Fisher has made his vision and goals very clear, and the selection of a new high school administration team … is directly aligned with Superintendent Fisher’s vision to ensure that our scholars are receiving a quality learning experience that prepares them for college, career and work. … We could not be more delighted

that Kean University has partnered with us to bring this opportunity to our community. It is all so very exciting.”

Lester said he hoped academy students ultimately choose to complete their degrees at Kean.

“I’m looking not only for a 100 percent graduation rate from high school. I want a 100 percent graduation rate when they come to Kean University,” Lester said in the press release. “Once they’re Kean Scholar Academy members, they’re members for life.”

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Union Leader — May 2021 — 5

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6 — May 2021 — Union Leader

Help keep the spotted lanternfly out of Union Co. A different kind of Earth Day project is available in April to all Union County residents and visitors this spring: help destroy the spotted lanternfly and its eggs, too. It is important to act now, because the eggs of the spotted lanternfly typically hatch from late April to early May. Earth Day 2021 will take place on Thursday, April 22.

“The spotted lanternfly is a new pest that threatens our efforts to preserve native habitat in our public parks. We all have a stake in ensuring that the spotted lanternfly does not take hold in Union County, so please keep an eye out for the adults and eggs in your backyard, and in parks and other public places,” said Union County Board of County Commissioners Chairperson Al Mirabella.

Both juvenile and adult spotted lanternflies are eye-catching. The juveniles will appear by May, after the eggs hatch. They are small, crawling insects about the size of a dime. They have shiny black coats with bright white spots or red coats with white spots and black stripes.

Their legs are black with white spots.

The adult is about the size of a typical moth or slightly larger. Their upper wings are a papery whitish hue with black speckles. The upper wings open to reveal bright red and black lower wings underneath.

When startled, the adult can quickly hop and glide away like a grasshopper, so stealth is advised when approaching one.

Both adults and juveniles should be crushed underfoot or by any other means.

The eggs are more difficult to distinguish, because they are laid in flat, grayish patches that can blend into their sur-

Photos Courtesy of New Jersey Department of Agriculture

Be on the lookout for spotted lanternflies, pictured in their adult form above, as these are an invasive species that can be harmful to our environment. At left and right are juvenile spotted lanternflies. roundings. However, there are telltale signs. A freshly laid egg patch resembles a small dab of wet mud, about 1 inch long.

Over time, it develops cracks that can resemble miniature tire treads. The appearance of seed-like rows means the eggs are ready to hatch.

Lanternflies prefer to lay their eggs on flat surfaces. The egg patches mainly appear on trees about 10 feet off the ground. They can also appear on rocks, vehicles and other manufactured surfaces.

Egg patches should be destroyed by using a plastic card or other sturdy object

to crush them where they are, then scrape them off the surface.

The spotted lanternfly is an invasive species and a serious threat to New Jersey’s agriculture industry and wildlife habitats. It can damage or kill native trees, such as the black walnut, red maple, silver maple and river birch. It can also carve a destructive path through valuable crops and other plants.

To help fight the spotted lanternfly in New Jersey, report sightings to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture by using the online reporting tool. For other

questions about the spotted lanternfly, contact the Department of Agriculture at 1-866-223-2849 or email SLF-plantindustry@ag.nj.gov.

For more information, including photos of the lanternfly and its eggs at various stages, visit nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/pi/prog/spottedlanternfly.

Information on Earth Day activities at Union County’s Trailside Nature and Science Center will be available soon at ucnj.org/trailside. The Trailside Center is located in the Watchung Reservation, at 452 New Providence Road in Mountainside.

Atlantic Health vaccinates teachers against COVID In an effort to help local school districts safely resume in-person instruction, Atlantic Health System has partnered with more than 120 school districts and individual schools to administer COVID-19 vaccines to more than 11,000 of their faculty and essential support staff. The vaccination appointments for teachers and staff are just part of the more than 280,000 doses administered by Atlantic Health System to eligible individuals in the general public.

Participating Union County school districts include Berkeley Heights, Hillside, Kenilworth, Mountainside, New Providence, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains–Fanwood, Summit, Union County Educational Services Commission, UCTECH, Union Township, Westfield and Winfield.

Participating schools include Barack Obama Charter School in Plainfield, Holy Spirit School in Union, Kent Place School in Summit, Morris–Union Jointure Commission in New Providence and Warren, Union County TEAMS Charter School in Plainfield, and Valley Road School in Clark.

These partnerships are the result of a collaboration between Atlantic Health System and district, local and county officials.

“Atlantic Health System is committed to not only delivering the highest quality care, but also to building healthier communities,” said Kevin Lenahan, chief financial and administrative officer for Atlantic Health System. “We know that safely returning to in-person learning will be a tremendous lift to the physical and mental wellbeing of our children and a critical step in coexisting with COVID19. We are proud to partner with our local communities and school districts to help teachers safely return to the classroom.”

Photo Courtesy of Robert Seman

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Union Leader — May 2021 — 7

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8 — May 2021 — Union Leader

Photos Courtesy of Union Township

I MATTER BECAUSE — Congratulations to three Union students for their award-winning entries, recognized from among 200 submissions, at the 2020-2021 New Jersey PTA Reflections program. In the high school division, an Award of Excellence was won by Jared Suggs for his ‘Midnight Blur’ photo, and Michael Cross received an Award of Merit for his photograph, ‘End of Season.’ Livingston School student Sydney Webb won honorable mention in the intermediate division for her photo, ‘I Matter.’

This year’s National PTA program theme was ‘I Matter Because.’

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Union Leader — May 2021 — 9

NJAW’s temporary water treatment change ends On April 19, New Jersey American Water resumed using chloramines in water treatment at its Raritan–Millstone and Canal Road water treatment plants.

These plants serve NJAW customers in Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union counties.

In mid-January, as part of an annual routine maintenance program for its water distribution system, NJAW temporarily changed the water treatment process from a chloramine residual — a combined residual — to a free chlorine residual. Chloramines have long been an effective method of water disinfection that meet all U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and N.J. Department of Environmental Protection drinking water standards and have been used by New Jersey American Water since the 1980s.

The treatment change applies to

NJAW customers in the following Union County communities: Berkeley Heights, Rahway, Clark, Cranford, Elizabeth, Fanwood, Garwood, Hillside, Kenilworth, Linden, Mountainside, New Providence, Plainfield, Roselle, Roselle Park, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Union, Westfield and Winfield Park.

The three-month changeover to free chlorine residual enabled the company to perform routine annual maintenance.

During the transition to free chlorine residual, some customers may have noticed a slight chlorine taste and odor in their water.

With the resumption of the chloramine process, the taste and smell of chlorine will subside.

For more information about the use of chloramine in water treatment, visit newjerseyamwater.com.

IN MEMORIAM • ALLEN – Marie, of Union; March 12. Widow, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, aunt.

• DOLAN – Thomas Joseph, of Union; April 11. Owned and operated T.J. Dolan Landscaping. Husband, brother, uncle. Was 77.

• DRESSLER – Alan G., of Union, formerly of Roselle Park; March 13. East Orange General Hospital radiology administrator. Husband, father, grandfather, 71.

• ENGLE – Elizabeth “Betty,” of Union; April 12. Former copy unit supervisor for NJ Bell. Eucharistic minister. Mother, aunt, great-aunt, great-great-aunt.

• GALANO – Romualdo “Romy” I., of Union; April 8. Was 73.

• GASSERT – Gladys E., of Union; Feb. 28. Retired from pharmaceutical industry.

Deacon, Sunday school teacher, Connecticut Farms Presbyterian Church. Was 93.

• GOLONKA – Raymond A., of Colonia, formerly of Union; April 8. U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. Bar manager, car show enthusiast. Husband, brother, uncle, 78.

• GORKA – Christopher J., of Roselle, formerly of Union; April 3. History teacher, track and field coach, V.P. for Prudential Insurance Co. Husband, brother, uncle, 67.

• GOTFRIED – Jack, of Manchester Township, formerly of Paterson and Union; April 13. Vietnam War veteran, ShopRite/Pathmark manager. Brother, uncle, 69.

• JOHNSON – Ralph D., of Union; March 28. Father, brother, step-father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle.

• MATTHEW – William, of Basking Ridge, formerly of New York City and Union; March 25. Tool designer. Widower, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. Was 99.

• MODESHEFSKY – Mary, of Toms River, formerly of the Bronx, N.Y., and Union; April 2. Typist for Western Electric. Widow, aunt, great-aunt, 81.

• MONCHEK – Kathleen Forsythe, of Piscataway, formerly of Union; April 10.

Teacher in Piscataway. Wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt, great-aunt, 83.

• PANTANO – Antoinette, of Union, formerly of Newark and Kenilworth; April 5.

Widow, mother, sister and grandmother, 86.

• SCHIMMEL – Sandi, of Springfield, formerly of Newark and Union; April 14.

Taught at Dayton Street School in Newark for 34 years. Sister, 69.

• SCHMIDT – Judith V., of Union; March 19. Was 85.

• SILAS – Delois “Dee,” of Union; March 22. Mother, grandmother, 83.

• SOSNICKY – Anna, of Union; March 14. Worked for Newark Board of Education. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother. Was 97.

• THRONE – Frances, of North Carolina, formerly of Union and Flemington; April 15. Bookkeeper for the IRS. Widow, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, 101.

In Memoriam is a feature compiled by the news staff from various sources. We also provide the opportunity for families and funeral directors to publish a more extensive, special notice about their loved one called an obituary. These notices are published on our website immediately and then in the next edition of this newspaper. To place a paid obituary send an email to obits@thelocalsource.com or fax to 908-688-0401. Family and friends’ submissions must include sender’s name, address, phone and the name of the funeral home. Call 908-686-7850 for assistance.

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10 — May 2021 — Union Leader

Learning the art of gardening at Vauxhall Garden

Photos Courtesy of Union Township

IN THE GARDEN — Vauxhall Community Garden recently hosted more than 30 young men from around New Jersey, teaching them gardening basics, including how to build their own box garden, how to compost and the basics of how to take care of a vegetable garden.

Union Leader — May 2021 — 11

STUDENT UPDATE Honors at Emerson Zoe Diakides, of Union, was named to the dean’s list at Emerson College, located in Boston, Mass., for the fall 2020 semester. Diakides is a sophomore majoring in writing, literature and publishing.

The requirement to make dean’s list is a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher for the semester.

Awards at Colgate Union High School graduate Joudenie Germain, a political science major, earned the dean’s award with distinction from Colgate University, located in Hamilton, N.Y., for the fall 2020 semester. North Star Academy graduate Paul White, who has not yet declared a major, earned the dean’s award for academic excellence.

Students who received a term gradepoint average of 3.6 or higher while completing at least three courses for a conven-

tional letter grade during the fall 2020 semester earned the dean’s award with distinction. Students who received a term grade-point average of 3.3 or higher earned the dean’s award for academic excellence.

Rene inducted at Scranton Johanna Rene, of Union, was among the students at the University of Scranton, located in Scranton, Pa., to be inducted into Alpha Mu Gamma, the national honor society for students of foreign languages. The university’s chapter of the honor society was established in 1973.

Rene is a sophomore at the Jesuit university.

West makes dean’s list Karima West, of Union, was named to the dean’s list at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University, located in Boston and Worcester,

Mass., for the fall 2020 semester. West is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene.

The dean’s list recognizes those students with a full-time course load who have achieved outstanding scholarship with a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher for the academic term.

USciences honors locals Muskan Singh and Nicole Tababa, both of Union, were named to the dean’s list at the University of the Sciences, located in Philadelphia, Pa., for the fall 2020 semester.

Selection for this award is based on completing and passing all assigned courses with no grade below a C and attaining an academic average of at least 3.4 for courses taken in that semester.

Isedeh earns initiation Prescilia Isedeh, of Union, was recent-

ly initiated into the honor society of Phi Kappa Phi, among the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor societies. Isedeh was initiated at Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi.

Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership.

Tan earns scholarship Michelle Tan, a student at Union High School, has received a scholarship to attend Berkeley College. Each year, these scholarships are awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate a high level of achievement.

The scholarships are renewable, based on the recipient’s cumulative grade-point average at the end of each academic year and continued enrollment as a full-time student.

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12 — May 2021 — Union Leader

‘Dragons in the Crease’ returns to Theater Project “Dragons in the Crease,” a play that premiered in the prestigious New York Theater Festival’s Summerfest, is returning to The Theater Project for three livestreaming presentations, Thursday, April 29, through Saturday, May 1.

Each of the streaming performances by The Theater Project — a leading incubator for rising talent and a showcase for New Jersey artists — begins at 7:30 p.m. A discussion with playwright Joseph Vitale will follow the Saturday, May 1, performance.

Based on a real event, the play concerns a college student with a severe stutter who has been asked by his professor not to speak in class but instead to write his questions down. Because of the media coverage that ensues, the incident becomes a national news story, changing both of their lives forever.

Vitale is one of The Theater Project’s

most prominent playwrights and founder and executive producer of the company’s THINK FAST one-act play fest, a program he developed to expand opportunities for other playwrights. He recently received a New Jersey Individual Artist Fellowship for 2021, one of only 12 recipients.

A member of The Theater Project’s playwrights workshop and a semifinalist for the 2012 Eugene O’Neill Theater/National Playwrights Conference, Vitale is the author of a dozen fulllength plays, including, “Murrow,” a oneman show about the life of Edward R. Murrow, which premiered at The Theater Project and was later performed off-offBroadway in 2016 at the Phoenix Theatre Ensemble. His one-act play, “The Monster Under the Bed,” was voted “Best Play” at both the 2018 St. Paul, Ind., Theater Festival and the 2019 One-Act Jamboree at

the Rhino Theater in Pompton Lakes.

“We are thrilled to have Joseph Vitale’s thought-provoking ‘Dragons in the Crease’ back,” said Mark Spina, The Theater Project’s artist director, who directed the play. “Ten years ago, he joined our workshop, and everyone has benefitted from his guidance and experience. It’s a pleasure and privilege to watch his work develop. We couldn’t be prouder of his accomplishments and look forward to another run of unforgettable performances of ‘Dragons.’”

Tickets can be purchased by visiting https://www.onthestage.com/show/thetheater-project/dragons-in-the-crease66975/tickets. Purchasers will receive a link one hour before the performance.

For more information, visit thetheaterproject.org or call the Union Township box office at 908-809-8865.

Joseph Vitale

Kean U. receives state grant to roll out electric buses Kean University received nearly $2 million in state grant money to purchase a fleet of seven electric shuttle buses that will provide environmental benefits on campus and beyond.

The project is being funded through a $100 million statewide clean transportation program announced by Gov. Phil Murphy.

“Kean is proud to be part of the effort to improve air quality and reduce the effects of climate change in our state,”

said Kean President Lamont O. Repollet.

“By bringing electric buses to Kean, we are helping to promote a clean environment, both here on campus and in our surrounding communities."

At a news conference in Newark, Murphy touted clean transportation projects as a major step toward addressing climate change, achieving environmental justice and moving the state toward 100 percent clean energy by 2050.

The new buses will replace most of the university’s aging fleet of three full-size buses, four trolleys and two small buses.

Kean applied in 2018 for grant funding to replace university shuttle buses with electric versions. The Kean project, called “Fleet Sweep,” was driven by alumnus Emil Bustamante, Class of 2018, a sustainability science major. After graduation, he worked part-time as an academic specialist/sustainability officer at Kean.

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“This is a huge achievement for Kean,” he said. “This is part of a bigger thing than all of us. The climate is changing and we can have an impact on this. We can be the innovators.”

Bustamante, of Elizabeth, who is now a teacher in Elizabeth and also owns a barbershop, said he continued to follow up on the project even after he left Kean. He said he was near tears when he learned the university received the funding.

In the geographic area around Kean’s main campus, approximately 325,000 people will benefit from the impact of emissions reduction, he said.

“I saw this could make a big impact.

It’s not only going to save money on diesel, gas and oil, it’s going to decrease our carbon footprint by a huge amount,” Bustamante said.

Acquiring the new buses is expected to take at least six months but may take longer due to pandemic-related delays.

Across the state, other projects funded

by Murphy’s initiative include electric garbage trucks, school buses, cargo-handling equipment and electrified NJ Transit buses. New Jersey City University also received funding for electric shuttle buses.

“The investments we are announcing signify our commitment to environmental justice and equity, while building a cleaner economy that works for all,” said Murphy, who also took action by creating the state Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. “Together, these initiatives will make New Jersey stronger, fairer — and greener — for generations to come.”

The $100 million in statewide funding is coming from the proceeds of the state’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative and the Volkswagen Mitigation Trust Fund, a fund created by a settlement on emissions violations reached

by Volkswagen with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Union Leader — May 2021 — 13

Professor leads worldwide Socially Just Academia A Kean writing professor is collaborating with colleagues around the world on an initiative to create a new global vision for higher education that fosters equity and inclusion in teaching practices and scholarship and welcomes new voices into academia.

Mia Zamora, associate professor and the director of the Kean master’s in English writing studies program, co-founded the Socially Just Academia Project with Maha Bali from American University in Cairo. Seed funding from the Hewlett Foundation has helped the project grow. It now has facilitators in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“We, as a group, are taking a close look at the ways in which higher education in general has, at some level, never reckoned with inequity and the big question of equity in the spaces where we train and mentor people,” Zamora said.

As students pursuing a doctoral degree, aspiring professors can become indoctrinated in methods and practices that are not inclusive, she said.

“We learn what journals are acceptable and unacceptable and that certain writing is unacceptable and certain questions are disrespectful. As professors, we then

become gatekeepers of what is right and wrong or appropriate and inappropriate, and, in the process, we exclude legitimate voices, authentic voices, that may not have the so-called right credentials,” she said.

“Dr. Zamora is a leader nationally and internationally on issues of social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. Her project is another demonstration of that and of how Kean faculty are committed to social justice,” said Jonathan Mercantini, dean of Kean’s College of Liberal Arts.

The Socially Just Academia Project operates online and offers workshops in which educators, mostly from higher education, are exploring ways to break through established thinking and practices. Participants receive updates through the project’s Twitter account, @socialjustacad.

“It is challenging dominant white hegemonic discourses and practices and offering critical educators space to exchange ideas and imagine ways forward that dismantle racism and oppression,” said Bali, associate professor of practice at the American University in Cairo’s Center for Learning and Teaching.

The initiative is an outgrowth of Equity Unbound,

Union man earns National Guard promotion

Major General Ray Shields, the adjutant general for the state of New York, recently announced the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

Kirk Moon, of Union, assigned to the 222nd Military Police Company, received a promotion to the rank of staff sergeant on March 3.

Army National Guard promotions are based on overall performance, attitude, leadership ability and development potential. These promotions additionally recognize the best-qualified soldiers and attract and retain the highest caliber citizen soldiers for a career in the New York Army National Guard.

Mia Zamora which Zamora created three years ago with Bali and Catherine Cronin, then of the National University of Ireland, Galway. The goal of Equity Unbound, which was recognized with a Mozilla Foundation Open Leaders award, was to develop open, intercultural learning experiences for students and professional development for educators, with a focus on equity and open resources. The group pivoted to address inequities in higher education more directly, in response to the outcry for racial justice in the summer of 2020, after the death of George Floyd.

“This work is about trying to not only open up a spot at the table, but that we're listening to people who have been left out and we're changing how we do what we do,” said Zamora. “That's really the paradigm we're seeking for higher education.”

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14 — May 2021 — Union Leader

Going blue: Turning autism awareness into action Policymakers, parent advocates and educators came together at Kean University on Friday, April 2, for a forum on supporting students on the autism spectrum, from prekindergarten through higher education and beyond.

“Today and every day, we must highlight the need to support people with autism so they can lead full and meaningful lives,” Kean President Lamont O. Repollet said in his opening remarks.

“Society would be a better place for all of us if we all learned to accept, appreciate and accommodate one another’s needs.”

The theme of the panel discussion was “Turning Awareness into Action,” with a focus on creating a continuum of services for students from pre-K through postsecondary education. New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney participated, along with Barbara Ridener, dean of Kean’s College of Education, and two parents of children with autism, Kean Associate Vice President for Employee Relations Kenneth Green and Kean undergraduate marketing student Ashley Tufuga, who has a son and a daughter on the autism spectrum.

Sweeney, the father of a child with special needs, discussed legislation he has sponsored throughout the course of his career to help people with disabilities.

“A desire to improve New Jersey’s special education services is what initially inspired me to get involved in politics, and, all these years later, it continues to be a driving force behind my legislative priorities,” Sweeney said. “I am a strong believer that all spaces should be accessible to all people, especially the I/DD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) community. It gives me an immense sense of hope for the future to see so many universities taking steps, like Kean has, to make their campuses accessible and give these students a chance to further their education.”

To view the panel discussion, visit kean.edu/autism-awareness-panel.

Repollet thanked the panelists for con-

Photo Courtesy of Margaret McCorry

Kean University’s STEM building was lit blue in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day on Friday, April 2.

Additionally, Kean University held a forum that day focused on supporting students on the autism spectrum, from their first day of school as children through their higher education goals. tributing to a greater understanding and improved outcomes for people with autism by sharing their knowledge and personal stories.

“Senate President Steve Sweeney is a tireless advocate for children and adults with special needs across this great state,” he said. “His expertise, experience and legislative leadership are vitally important, as we work to build a prekindergarten to bachelor’s degree pipeline for New Jersey students with autism and other developmental disabilities.”

This week, Kean also joined the Light It Up Blue campaign, turning the lights blue on the Union campus in recognition of World Autism Awareness Day on Friday, April 2. For more about Kean’s participation in Light It Up Blue, check out the Light It Up Blue at Kean University video online.

Tufuga, who is a member of the Kean President’s Advisory Council, said that when her daughter was diagnosed with autism at age 2, she quit her job to focus on her daughter’s therapy. She now is a parent advocate for children with autism.

“Autism is not a problem, it’s a lifestyle,” Tufuga said. “It’s the lack of understanding that causes bias in the workforce and in classrooms.”

With one in 32 children in New Jersey diagnosed on the spectrum, Kean, as a major producer of K-12 educators, plays a key role in preparing future classroom teachers to teach children with disabilities.

“We have to create learning communities where all individuals are safe and valued,” Ridener said. “It is incumbent on us to recognize individuals’ strengths, be able to support them to the best of their

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To that end, several new initiatives are underway at Kean, including a classroom for children with autism in the University’s Child Care and Development Center on campus.

“We are looking for an opportunity for our teachers and our future teachers to participate in this, from the ground up,” Ridener said, adding that the classroom would provide specialists and individual aides to help children thrive.

At the higher education level, Repollet said, there are plans for a program that would bring high-functioning autistic students to Kean to work and take courses, and earn certification in various skills.

“At Kean, we can continue to extend this conversation, to put it into action and not just talk about it,” Repollet said.

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Pork Bits w/Clams............................................... $17.00 Pork Bits w/Shrimp....................... $12.00.......... $17.00 Portuguese Style Steak & Egg. . . . . . . ....................... $20.00 Steak w/Mushrooms............................................ $20.00 Large Sirloin Steak............................................... $20.00 Chicken in Garlic Sauce................. $12.00.......... $17.00 Beef Short Ribs.............................. $13.00.......... $22.00 Breaded Steak w/Spaghetti.................................. $18.00 Grilled Pork Cutlets....................... $12.00.......... $17.00

Sandwiches Chicken Sandwich & Fries.................................... $8.50 Steak Sandwich & Fries........................................ $8.50 Pork Sandwich & Fries..........................................$8.50 Fish Filet Sandwich & Fries.................................. $8.50 Chicken Fingers & Fries....................................... $8.50

All served with any 2 choices of : Rice, French Fries, Vegetables or Beans

1275 Stuyvesant Avenue • Union 908-688-8897

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16 — May 2021 — Union Leader

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Blood drives in UC in May New Jersey Blood Services will conduct the following blood drives in Union County: Monday, May 3, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Cranford United Methodist Church, 201 Lincoln Ave. E. in Cranford; and Wednesday, May 5, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Living Word Church, 2208 Stanley Terrace in Union.

To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 800933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org.

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BULLETIN BOARD at 6 p.m. This class Events at Union Library

will lead attendees through the foundations of yoga postures, Union Public Library has a lot of events coming up; register for all programs by body awareness and alignment, relaxation going to https://uplnj.org/events/list/. of the mind, and a connection with the For assistance or for more information, breath. Learn how to improve muscle strength, promote flexibility and build a call 908-851-5450, ext. 3.

• Meditation, every Thursday at 11:30 specialized yoga program. a.m. Join Bindu Bhatt for a virtual meditation session. No experience necessary. Children’s events at UPL Union Public Library will hold the folBhatt has practiced meditation for more than 30 years and will share her insight lowing upcoming virtual youth programs. with attendees.

Program details are subject to change; • Beginners flow yoga, every Thursday contact the library to confirm. To register

Photo Courtesy of Union Township

CARING FOR OUR SENIORS — Union County, in partnership with ShopRite of Union and Gargiulo’s in Hillside, hosted an emergency pop-up food distribution event at the Union Senior Center on April 20.

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for programs, visit www.uplnj.org. For programs broadcast on Facebook Live, non–Facebook users should email childrensdepartment@uplnj.org for access.

• Library & Chill, UPL’s new winter reading program. This six-week program for all ages will run throughout February.

Virtually explore all the library has to offer this winter and have a chance to win prizes. Visit uplnj.org for more information.

• Virtual Biographical Storytime, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Learn all about important figures from the past and present at this event for all ages, which is broadcast on Facebook Live and subsequently available on Instagram. No registration required.

• Virtual Storytime, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. Spend this special time listening to a story and singing songs and rhymes. These events for all ages are broadcast on Facebook Live and will subsequently be available on Instagram. No registration required.

• Take-Home Craft Kits, weekly. The library offers different take-home projects each week. Pick up a project kit at the library and follow along with the library’s �instructional video to create a cool craft from home. Instructional videos available to view on Facebook and Instagram. Call 908-851-5450, ext. 4, to schedule a pickup appointment. Project kits are available while supplies last.

• Virtual Volunteering for Teens offers virtual volunteering opportunities for teens. Send an email to teens@uplnj.org for more information.

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