Union Leader - June 2024

UNIONLEADER

Salutatorian is named

Head coach of the Farmers steps down

Lou Grasso Jr. will become athletic director at Colonia High School

By JR Parachini Sports Editor

How to become a family, caring about each other, putting the team first, being there for the players, becoming a positive role model and going out and, amidst all the hard work, simply having fun were the football philosophies Lou Grasso Jr. took from his father, Lou Grasso Sr.

They served Lou Grasso Jr. well as he employed those edicts at Union High School the past decade and they were good enough to bring the Farmers a long-awaited state championship.

After 11 seasons at the helm of those Farmers, Grasso has decided to step down from coaching altogether, as he has accepted the position of athletic director at Colonia High School in Woodbridge. The Colonia native and 1993 Colonia High grad will start in that role beginning on Monday, July 1.

Grasso was approved by the Colonia Board of Education on Thursday, May 16. He then told his players of his decision on Friday, May 17, and then later that day posted the news on social media.

“With Ben LaSala retiring, I threw my hat in the ring,” Grasso said, speaking of Colonia’s former athletic director. “I will miss coaching and miss Union, the experience was the best.

“Colonia is my hometown and where my kids go to school. I felt it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”

Growing up with a father, Lou Grasso Sr., who was the head coach at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle for 25 seasons, from 1979 to 2003, coaching sports was indeed in the family blood. Also at Lou Jr.’s side at Union and Roselle was his brother, Dan Grasso. “What a run, brother; you were there every day for me,” Grasso Jr. said.

Grasso Sr. guided Roselle to its only state championship in the playoff era, the 1989 North 2, Group 2 crown. Thirty years later, Grasso Jr. led Union to the 2019 North 2, Group 5 title, which was Union’s first state championship in 26 years.

Grasso was an assistant at New Brunswick and then first got to Union as an assistant on head coach Brian Sheridan’s staff. He then became the head coach at Abraham Clark High School in Roselle, serving in that position for the years of 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Grasso became the head coach at Union in 2013 and, in that first season, led the Farmers to their first appearance in the North 2, Group 5 state championship game.

Grasso and Sheridan were roommates at Rutgers University, when they played for the Scarlet Knights in the 1990s.

“I asked Brian for a spot on his staff and the next thing I knew was that he was introducing me as one of the coaches right away,” Grasso recalled. “It was Brian handling the defense and myself the offense. We had two really good teams in 2008 and 2009, playoff teams.”

In 2018, Union reached the North 2, Group 5 semifinals. That led to a dominating 2019 season, guided by senior quarterback Andrew Sanborn, where Union entered the N2G5 playoffs at 90. What followed were playoff wins at home against Paterson Kennedy, West Orange and Clifton.

Union was a state champion for the first time since winning North 2, Group 4 for the 10th time in 1993.

“That 2019 season was literally the culmination of everything,” Grasso said. “We had a run in 2018 and some tough luck. I remember the day of the state championship game at Union in

Lou Grasso Jr. is at left with senior quarterback Andrew Sanborn in December 2019 at the Regional Championship game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford.

2019. That was the most special day I had there.”

Grasso, a health and physical education teacher at Union, thanked former Union High School athletic director Linda Ionta for great leadership and the administration for always being there.

“The town was all in,” said Grasso, who will turn 49 on Friday, May 31. “It was a lot of hard work. There were a lot of ups and downs, but it was a great time.”

Lou Grasso Jr.

At Abraham Clark High School

2010: (7-3), sectional quarterfinalist

2011: (6-4), sectional quarterfinalist

2012: (2-8)

At Union High School

2013: (8-4), sectional finalist

2014: (4-6)

2015: (5-6), sectional semifinalist

2016: (6-5), sectional semifinalist

2017: (4-6)

2018: (8-3), sectional semifinalist

2019: (12-1), sectional champion

2020: (4-3) No playoffs, COVID-shortened season

2021: (9-2), sectional semifinalist (COVID)

2022: (2-7), sectional quarterfinalist

2023: (5-6), sectional semifinalist

Grasso guided Abraham Clark to the playoffs two of three seasons and Union eight of 10. There were no playoffs in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Grasso’s 2021 Union squad had to forfeit the rest of its season after one playoff win because of a team COVID-19 situation. Union was the heavy favorite to repeat as North 2, Group 5 champs. “Nobody was beating us that year,” Grasso said.

Photo by JR Parachini

Pictured at left are, from left, Jacqueline Muratore, assistant directress for Faculty, Curriculum and Planning; valedictorian Nina Heim of Westfield; Sister Lisa D. Gambacorto, directress; salutatorian Lillian Del Rossi of Union; and Denise Materia, assistant directress of Student Life and athletic director.

Del Rossi named salutatorian at Mount Saint Mary

On the morning of Wednesday, May 1, Mount Saint Mary Academy Directress Sister Lisa Gambacorto congratulated Nina Heim of Westfield on being named valedictorian and Lillian Del Rossi of Union on being desig-

nated salutatorian of the Class of 2024. The formal announcement was made by Jacqueline Muratore, assistant directress for Faculty, Curriculum, and Planning, during a special convocation in the chapel.

Both Heim and Del Rossi will continue their studies at the University of Notre Dame in the Mendoza College of Business. Heim plans to major in Strategic Management, while Del Rossi plans on majoring in business analytics.

Photo Courtesy of Michelle H. Daino

Resident competes on ‘Next Baking Master: Paris’

By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent

Ten bakers are competing in Paris. Three of them are from New Jersey, including Jennalyn Walbot of Union. The winner of “Next Baking Master: Paris” will receive a full suite of France’s top-of-theline professional kitchen appliances and baking equipment valued at $25,000.

The show debuted on Monday, May 6, but was filmed last year. “We were gone over a month in September,” Walbot said. “My daughter was not even a year old yet.”

Now, rewatching the series, Walbot said, “It was such a crazy experience.”

Walbot felt she brought her Asian flair to the show. She met her husband, chef Joshua Walbolt, at The Culinary Institute of America. They have worked together in different restaurants in the United States.

“I’m representing my own Filipino culture,” she said.

Growing up in a family filled with the medical industry – nurses and doctors –Walbot was pushed to follow that path. She went to nursing school, but was not happy.

“Just seeing my own mom and aunts exhausted. They make a really decent living. ‘It’s security. You’ll be safe.’ I also wanted to be happy. I wanted to make money doing something I love,” she said.

Though her mother was in the medical industry, she always cooked. “Growing up, we had tons of family parties,” she said. “It was always at our home. Mom would be the host. That’s where I got my hospitality from – making sure everyone is comfortable.”

After graduating from high school, Walbot took college courses in nursing. She was great at what she was doing, but not happy. “Something is missing,” she said. “I really like baking. Is it possible to turn my passion into a career? Here I am today.”

Walbot didn’t win the first challenge. It was Robert Toland from Willingboro. “He brought his A-game,” she said. “They all brought their A-game.”

Hannah Caldwell Day hosted

Jennalyn Walbot of Union is one of 10 bakers, three of them from New Jersey, who is appearing in ‘Next Baking Master: Paris,’ a show that debuted on Monday, May 6, on the Food Network.

Viewers may wonder, what is it about New Jersey that three Jersey bakers made it to the competition? Walbot said, “We’re

Hannah Caldwell Day will be hosted at the Caldwell Parsonage, 909 Caldwell Ave., Union, on Saturday, June 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. There is free admission. Join the Union Township Historical Society as it remembers Caldwell’s heroism and sacrifice during the Battle of Connecticut Farms.

Board of Adjustment to meet

The Union Zoning Board of Adjustment meets on Wednesday, June 5, 12 and 26, at 7:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.

Farmers Market opens

The Union Farmers Market opens for the season on Thursday, June 6, from 3 to 8 p.m. The Farmers Market is open every Thursday, from 3 to 8 p.m., at Biertuempfel

so culturally diverse in New Jersey. We’re so close to the city, but also have this great little suburban life. We have this passion

NEWS CLIPS

Park on Winslow Avenue, alternate street side, and at Lincoln Tech.

Township Committee to meet

The Union Township Committee will meet on Tuesdays, June 11 and 25, to have a conference at 6:30 p.m., followed by a regular meeting at 7:30 p.m., in the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.

Board of Health to meet

The Union Board of Health will meet on Wednesday, June 12, at 6 p.m., in the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.

Juneteenth Festival to be hosted

Union’s Juneteenth Festival will be hosted on Saturday, June 15, from noon to 6 p.m., at Rabkin Park, 1

to pursue our dreams, but bring a little flair. Joe Settepani from Morganville, bringing his Italian roots. We’re all a huge melting pot of cultures.”

Now that Walbot is living her dream, it’s not without challenges. Being in the same career as her husband is hard.

“Coming out of my own identity, instead of being the wife of an award-winning chef,” she said. After the pandemic, we found out we were pregnant. Pregnant again. I took a sabbatical. Focused all my time into being a mom. We struggled with infertility and were finally blessed with a child. At the same time, I miss my old life. I’m taking care of my kids at home. Helping him, it’s just not the same. This opportunity came, I could bring something to the table. Put myself first. That was a huge opportunity for me. I’m living up to my own title as pastry chef.”

Walbot was able to bring her daughter to the show, because she was still breastfeeding her. “I was literally pumping on the show,” she said.

Though she struggled with a work-life balance, her life is “super rewarding.”

Explaining further, Walbot said, “Seeing it all happen. Growing up, my parents were work-driven. I never really got a relationship with them. When I became a parent, I wanted to be present at home, giving my kids everything. A parent who is there when they cry, cheering them on when they reach a new milestone. Supporting my husband.”

Walbot and her husband both have a huge support system with each other. Together, they are holding pop-up shows in Jersey City under the name, Bar None, featuring traditional comfort foods.

When she’s not working, Walbot is a full-time mom. “And always will be,” she said. “Raising two little ones. I have a third on the way. Busy, busy!”

‘Next Baking Master’ is hosted by Stephanie Boswell and Ludo Lefebvre.

To learn more about the show, visit: https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/n ext-baking-master-paris.

Swanstrom Place E., Union. Activities will include Ms. T’s Face Painting, 360 Photobooth, OMG Bubbles and Paint Noir Art Lounge – free private paint sessions by time slots. This will be a day of community celebration with great food, music, art and vendors.

Union celebrates Flag Day

Union will celebrate Flag Day on Friday, June 14, by raising the American flag at the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.

Annual Legislative Breakfast hosted

The 28th annual Legislative Breakfast, presented by the Greater Union Township Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with the Greater Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, will meet Friday, June 21, at 8:30 a.m., at Wari-

See NEWS, Page 4

Photo Courtesy of Food Network

NEWS CLIPS

(Continued from Page 3)

nanco Sports Center, 1 Park Drive, Roselle. More than 120 attendees are expected, so reserve early. It will feature state, local and county officials. Admission is $20 and includes a continental breakfast. Register online by contacting the chamber at 908-688-2777 or ExecutiveDirector@UnionChamber.com.

Municipal Building will be closed for Juneteenth

Union’s Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union, will be closed for Juneteenth all day on Friday, June 21.

Municipal Band to play

The Municipal Band will perform a concert on Monday, June 24, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., at Rabkin Park, 1 Swanstrom Place E., Union.

Special Improvement District to meet on June 18

Union’s Special Improvement District will meet on Tuesday, June 18, from 9 to 10 a.m., at the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.

Library Board of Trustees to meet on June 25

The Union Public Library Board of Trustees will meet on Tuesday, June 25, at 6:30 p.m. at the Main Library, 1060 Stuyvesant Ave., Union.

Planning Board to meet

The Union Planning Board will meet on Thursday, June 27, with a conference at 6:30 p.m. in the Conference Room, followed by a hearing at 7 p.m. in the Main Meeting Room, both in the Municipal Building, 1976 Morris Ave., Union.

SCHOOL IS OUT:

Watch for Kids!

Children’s events are offered at UPL

Union Public Library will hold the following upcoming virtual youth programs. Program details are subject to change; contact the library to confirm. To register for programs, visit uplnj.org. For programs broadcast on Facebook Live, non–Facebook users should email childrensdepartment@uplnj.org for access.

• Virtual Biographical Storytime, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Learn 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 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 is 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 craft from home. Instructional videos available to view on Facebook and Instagram. Call 908-851-5450, ext. 4, to schedule a pickup appointment.

Managing Editor: David Jablonski

Advertising Manager: Joseph Farina

Editorial@TheLocalSource.com

Safe driving around kids

• When driving, pay attention and scan the entire area around you.

• Look for kids playing near the street and slow down. Children are often unpredictable and unaware of danger around them.

• Slow down around children and other pedestrians.

• Watch for people about to step off the curb at crosswalks.

247 Elm Avenue Rahway 732-381-6981 N.J. LIC., #2749

Publisher: David Worrall

Monday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Tuesday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Wednesday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Thursday: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm

Friday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Saturday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Sunday: Closed

Diamondettes find a lot of twirling success

Diamondettes Baton and Dance is the next generation of Patti’s Dolls that was based in Union for decades by the infamous Miss Pat. Owner/director Nicole Marie Placca says being one of “Patti’s Dolls” made her want to have her own baton school one day. She is proud to carry the teachings and legacy of Miss Pat. Diamondettes is run out of several Union County locations, primarily Cranford and Union.

The program incorporates the once common, traditional teaching of baton twirling in combination with a unique series of instructional strategies and social emotional learning activities that reflects her experience as a public educator. “I spend just as much time creating sequences of lessons like I do in my classroom. I want students to feel the reasons for being there and for learning, while adequate means of instruction are given,” Placca said. As educators, they are taught strategies to effectively instruct students of all needs and abilities – sports should be the same. Children need to realize that their success is their success as true to themselves.

Some of our missions at the Diamondettes are to normalize and celebrate individuality in athletics, create success by what it means to each child and to show everyone that they can become an athlete no matter their background. They also

LAbove left, from left are twirling soloists Natalynn Molina, Niyah Murphy and

center is Leyla Akin. Above right are some Diamondettes performing in a recent competition.

focus on shaping the overall child both mentally and physically. Diamondettes are taught to “shine” from within first, and the importance of positive self-talk and inner dialogue is emphasized in all classes. No one can accomplish a goal if they don’t have the proper mindset or self-worth.

Success is not one-size-fits-all. A dancer who takes baton lessons would feel accomplished if they are able to do pirouettes cleanly while twirling, while another student will feel accomplished that they found the courage to even take

classes and be part of a team.

Competition program

All students are encouraged to perform, as the program is designed with the intention to learn the baton for a purpose and end result. Attending competitions opens their eyes to the true world of baton twirling and provides so many rewarding experiences that other sports don't because this is such a unique activity.

This is not a stressful, rigid competitive sport where winning is the goal. As competition season is approached, students

are reminded that the intended outcome is for them to perform a clean routine to the best of their abilities while realizing their worth, strong character and dedication for doing so. When they do win, it’s just an added bonus.

Given the novice level and newness of team groupings each year, it is truly impressive to see what the girls are able to accomplish and what they are willing to accomplish.

It’s an accomplishment to see the twirlers perform alongside fellow teams

See DIAMONDETTES, Page 9

Our knowledgeable and

repair even the most challenging problems using the latest technology to diagnose your vehicle. We pride ourselves on our communication and honesty with our

Photos Courtesy of Nicole Marie Placca

Christina Paterson. Above

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH —Competition teams run out of Diamond Gymnastics, including, from left, back row, owner/director Nicole Marie Placca, Soleil Lopez, Jade Gelin-Pierre, Leyla Akin, Meghan Charlton, Sofia Sermeno, Niyah Murphy and Peyton Borges; and front row, Christina Paterson, Madison Borges, Jolene Chen, Everly Chen, Giuliana Concetta Schultz and Natalynn Molina. Missing are Aubrey Soss and Mikaela Dearin.

Photo Courtesy of Nicole Marie Placca

Diamondettes Baton and Dance finds success in recnet competitions, including the Freedom Cup 2024 Championshipds, the NJTA State

Chamnpionships and the USTA – United State Twirling Championships – NJ State Championships and Festival of the Future.

Diamondettes have busy and successful season

(Continued from Page 6)

that Placca grew up with and respect, as they are true, well-known staples of the twirling community.

Season highlights

Freedom Cup 2024 Championships, Boston, MA

Saturday, Feb. 17, and Sunday, Feb. 18

Giuliana Concetta Schultz, age 5,

First twirler to represent Diamondettes at this organization

NJTA State Championships, Bloomfield

Sunday, April 21

Christina Paterson – first place, Show Twirl

Natalynn Molina – first place, Beginner One Baton Solo; first place, Novice One Baton Solo

USTA – United State Twirling Association – NJ State Championships and Festival of the Future, Rahway

Sunday, May 5

Diamondettes Primary Dance Twirl Team – second place

atmosphere.

Diamondettes Juvenile Dance Twirl Team – won both of their Dance Twirl Categories

Leyla Akin – first place, One Baton Solo

Giuliana Concetta Schultz – received a “no drop” award for performing her one baton solo with all catches and second place, Basic Strut

Jade Gelin-Pierre – Received two “no drop” awards for performing both of her one baton solos with all catches

Christina Paterson – second place, One Baton Solo

Natalynn Molina – second place, Beginner One Baton Solo

Photos Courtesy of Nicole Marie Placca

Kean awards bachelor’s degrees to more than 2,800 graduates

Kean University’s undergraduate Class of 2024 celebrated an out-of-this-world graduation with family, friends and a powerful “reality check” from commencement speaker and renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson.

The festive undergraduate commencement ceremony was on Thursday, May 16, at the Prudential Center in Newark. Kean awarded more than 2,800 bachelor’s degrees this year.

Tyson set the tone of the ceremony with a message for the graduates on the importance of lifelong learning.

“You want to climb higher? Be ready to do some climbing after you get out,” he said.

The scientist known for high-profile television appearances, including “PBS Nova,” “The Big Bang Theory” and “The Simpsons,” sprinkled his speech with references ranging from Apollo astronauts to rock star Alice Cooper and ended his remarks with advice.

“I want to create a world where if aliens came to visit, they wouldn't look around and run back home and say, ‘There's no sign of intelligent life on Earth,’” Tyson said. “Rise up to this challenge. Make decisions in the interest of our health, our wealth, our security, so subsequent generations can look back on you, on us, and be proud of the decisions we have made.”

See NEIL, Page 11

Above left, Kean University hosted a festive undergraduate commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark on Thursday, May 15. Kean awarded more than 2,800 bachelor’s degrees this year.

Above right, Renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson urged Kean University’s Class of 2024 to be lifelong learners in his commencement address. At right, graduating students waved to family and friends as they processed into Kean University’s undergraduate commencement at the Prudential Center in Newark.

Photos Courtesy of Kean University

Graduation

(Continued from Page 11)

The commencement ceremony included student reflections from valedictorian Maliha Haider, who received her degree in computer science and senior class President Glynnis Tan, who earned her degree in global business.

“To my fellow graduates, congratulations!” Haider said. “Today we celebrate not only our academic achievements but also the resilience that brought us to this moment.”

Both thanked friends, family and Kean faculty and staff.

“As we bid farewell to one chapter, I am filled with a sense of pride and excitement for what lies ahead,” Tan said. “This is not the end or goodbye. This is a hello to new beginnings.”

Graduating students crossed the stage one-by-one to receive their degrees, shaking hands with their college deans. Finally, the graduates stood and degrees were conferred, to resounding applause, followed by the traditional tassel turn on their graduation caps.

Included among the new alumni was Alyson Ballard, of Brick, who overcame challenges related to cerebral palsy during her academic journey.

“It means a lot to me to graduate,” said Ballard, who earned her liberal arts degree from Kean Online. “It took a lot to get here, especially because of my disability, so I'm very, very proud right now.”

Kean University had its graduate commencement ceremony on Tuesday, May 14.

Photo Courtesy of Kean University Kean University hosted a festive undergraduate commencement ceremony at the Prudential Center in Newark on Thursday, May 16.

Union hosts AAPI Food and Music Festival

By Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta Correspondent

The second Asian American and Pacific Islander Food and Music Festival was hosted recently on Stuyvesant Avenue in Union. Hundreds of attendees gathered to celebrate Union’s local AAPI community.

Ian Ali of Lifetime Entertainment has been a DJ for 25 years. He played a mixture of tunes in between performances. He said the festival was “a great event to bring people together.” Ali was looking forward to getting Filipino food, “which is awesome,” he added.

Other entertainment included an acrobatic performance by Guinness World Record holder Lina Liu, a Samurai performance, a Polynesian performance, a Lion Dance performance by the Murray Hill Chinese School, Taiko drumming by Taikoza and community line dancing by Studio Ligaya.

Food and beverage vendors included Brownie Bar, Morris Thai Cuisine, The Silver Glass Mobile Bar, Desi Is Me Indian Fusion, Moffle Bar and Qsina 8.

Praise Christian Church of Bayonne was giving out free items such as bottled water, snacks, fruit and scrunchies. Pastor Tin Lepasana said, “We are showing our love for the community.”

Shalini Ascalon, who is a school nurse in Union County and the vice president of Youth Ministry at the church, added, “We’re letting the people know we’re here.”

Ran Wei Baker is a Chinese American children’s book author who lives in Maplewood. She recently self-published the Boba Bear Bilingual series, seeing the need for more bilingual books in the children’s market.

“My husband doesn’t speak Chinese,” she said. “When I was pregnant with our first daughter, I saw the need for bilingual children’s books.”

Matthew McGrath, of Union, was at the festival with his 5-year-old daughter, Emily. “She loved the live acrobats,” he said. “And I love hanging out with her.”

Leilany Quinones recently moved to Union from Newark. She was purchasing Chinese calligraphy from Nancy Wang.

Above left, children's author Ran Wei Baker holds up some of books that are part of her self-published Boba Bear Bilingual series. Above center, Emily, 5, gets a henna tattoo on her arm at the AAPI Food and Music Festival. Above right, Union resident Leilany Quinones and Chinese calligrapher Nancy Wang hold up a piece of calligraphy he made. Below left, Nicholas Jose, owner of The Silver Glass Mobile Bar, holds up one of the non-alcoholic ‘mocktails’ that he creates. Below center, Adam, 13, in the red shirt, is the winner of the Samurai competition at the AAPI Food and Music Festival. Below right, from left are Union police officers Brian Goncalves, Joseph Devlin and Jeremy Castillo, who also attended the festival in Union.

“I’m trying to get more involved,” Quinones said. “There’s so much to do. I never get bored. I love it here!”

Joy Ann Cabanos was giving a class in origami. She teaches workshops at the Union Public Library. She said there’s a lot of benefits to creating origami. “It’s a meditative practice,” she said. “Repetition calms you down.”

Selina Sabolboro, founder of Moffle Bar, serves waffles on a stick with a variety

of toppings. She also serves musubi, which is nori with rice topped with spam and teriyaki sauce. There’s also a vegan musubi, where soy replaces spam. She’s been in business since 2016, covering events.

Nicholas Jose has been running The Silver Glass Mobile Bar for the past two years. He makes non-alcoholic “mocktails,” such as Shirley Temple, Classic Mai Tai and Malibu Bay Breeze.

“This is my first public debut,” he said. A 13-year-old named Adam won the Samurai competition. He said it was his first time.

Union police officers Brian Goncalves, Joseph Devlin and Jeremy Castillo were in attendance. Devlin said he was enjoying the food, music and cultural events. “Dancing, drums … the Asian culture aspect is very intriguing. It’s bringing it to the community.”

Above left, DJ Ian Ali stands in front of his soundboard at the second Asian American and Pacific Islander Food and Music Festival that was hosted recently in Union. Above center, Taiko drumming is performed at

the event by Taikoza. Above right, Praise Christian Church of Bayonne was at the event in Union, giving out free items such as bottled water, snacks, fruit and scrunchies.

Photos by Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

Student researcher, finalist for national award, graduates

Kean University senior Oluwatunmise Alabi’s work in research earned her both recognition as a finalist for a competitive national computing award and a job offer as a software engineer at Northrop Grumman.

Alabi, of Roselle, who will earn her bachelor’s degree in computer science, was selected as one of 55 finalists from 41 institutions for the National Center for Women & Information Technology Aspirations in Computing Award.

“Being recognized as a woman in tech on such a prestigious level has been a significant achievement for me,” Alabi said. “It's a reminder of how far I have come and to encourage others along my path.”

At Kean, Alabi dedicated herself to research, combining her interest in statistics and her earlier fascination with criminology.

Courtesy of Kean University

Kean graduating senior Oluwatunmise Alabi’s research has earned her recognition as a finalist for a competitive national computing award and a job offer as a software engineer at Northrop Grumman.

The NCWIT AiC award, for which Alabi is a finalist, honors “technical contributions to projects that demonstrate a high level of innovation and potential impact” in areas such as software and app devel-

opment, big data, cybersecurity and more.

If Alabi is chosen as a winner she is eligible to win public recognition, computing resources and up to $10,000.

Previously, Alabi was recognized as the New Jersey affiliate winner and received a national honorable mention two years consecutively for the AiC High School Award. She notes that the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions program at Kean sparked her interest in undergraduate research.

In April, she spoke alongside two other finalists at the New Jersey Women in Computing Award Ceremony at Kean. On the panel, she touched upon her experience of being a woman in a male-dominated field.

“I find solace knowing I am not the first woman to go through these challenges, but I am doing everything in my power to be the last,” Alabi said. “I strive to ensure others will not face the same obstacles I did.”

Alabi hopes to inspire, support and advocate for women in technology.

“It feels surreal to be recognized at the collegiate level because I was directly competing with other women in the United States, including those at schools like MIT,” Alabi said.

IN MEMORIAM

• FREY – William G., of Union, formerly of Brooklyn, N.Y.; May 16. Army veteran, coach, engineer. Husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, 89.

• HELWIG – William E., of Holmdel, formerly of Summit, Union; May 19. Marine, Firefighter, business owner. Husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, 86.

• RUBINETTI – Helen “Tootsie,” of Union, formerly of Newark; April 27. Business owner. Executive secretary, bookkeeper. Widow, mother, grandmother, aunt, 92.

• STEINER – John Charles, of Albuquerque, N.M., formerly of Union, Milltown; April 16. Brother, uncle, cousin, 65.

In Memoriam is a monthly 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.

Photo

University receives $800,000 NSF award to increase diversity in computing

Kean University was awarded an $800,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for research aimed at attracting and retaining more diverse students to STEM education and careers, through teaching more inclusive software design.

Kean students studying computer science and information technology will learn to design software accessible to more people, said professor Patricia Morreale, the principal investigator on the grant, who is also chairperson of the Department of Computer Science and Technology.

As part of their classroom work, students will design software for target users from one of several “personas,” each with a mix of different facets, including learning styles, access to reliable technology, risk tolerance and computer ability.

“This approach is really helping all students be better developers and understand more about the people who will use their software,” Morreale said. The grant co-PI is Dr. Margaret Burnett of Oregon State University.

The goals of the NSF-funded research are both to improve equity and inclusivity in computer science and information technology education, and retain diverse students once they are enrolled.

“Access to STEM education and courses does not ensure equity,” Morreale wrote in the project overview.

“Once recruited, students must be successfully retained in STEM majors. Toward this end, we will address the challenges diverse students enrolled in similar courses face.”

The three-year grant from NSF was awarded to Kean

Kean University recently earned an $800,000 grant from the National Science Foundation

as a Hispanic-Serving Institution, or HSI. The research project builds on an earlier NSF grant at Kean, which began the work on teaching inclusive software design.

The project is expected to involve about 20 Kean faculty and reach 2,000 students during the three years.

The new research project, titled “HSI Implementation and Evaluation Project: Regular CS x Inclusive Design x HSI Equals Building a Larger CS Workforce,” comes as Kean, New Jersey’s urban research university, is working to gain designation as an R2 research institution.

“Addressing the retention of computer science students from diverse backgrounds is vital for a school aim-

ing to become an R2 research institution and for broader societal goals of equity and inclusion in STEM education,” said George Chang, dean of The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics and Technology, which includes computer science.

More than 50% of the Kean Department of Computer Science and Technology’s 800 undergraduate students are from groups which are underrepresented in the field, Morreale said. Approximately 26% are Hispanic, 26% are black and 20% women.

Using the “Socioeconomic Inclusiveness Magnifier” Kean faculty will further integrate equity and inclusion into regular classroom work. Students will utilize the SESMag personas, such as “Dav,” to work on inclusive software design throughout their four years at Kean. The personas will be used to identify and fix inclusivity bugs, address software bias flaws and more.

“We’re not going to assume everybody has a full screen monitor. We’re not going to assume everyone knows what all the tabs at the top of the page are for,” Morreale said. “We’re not assuming everyone has the same resources or knowledge.”

Researchers will evaluate the effectiveness, feasibility, sustainability and impact on academic outcomes for students.

“We’re trying to make sure students can see themselves in the computer science space, by talking about different ways people use software,” Morreale added. “The theory is, if we teach inclusive software design now, our students will build the inclusive software we need for the future.”

Photo Courtesy of Kean University

intended to attract and retain diverse students in STEM education and careers.