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LIFE March 2024
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Hanover Park High School’s Samantha Cicerone Honored and Reaches Milestones
HANOVER PARK - Hanover Park High School senior, Samantha Cicerone, had a pretty nice December and January. Cicerone learned in December that she was to be her school’s recipient of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) National Girls and Women in Sports Award, which is bestowed on an individual for their achievement and dedication to academics and sports, and then in January she was at New Brunswick’s Jersey Mike’s Arena to receive her award when the Scarlet Knights women’s basketball team took on the Penn State Nittany Lions. There was much more to come. On Wednesday, January 30, as she and her Hanover Park Hornet girls’ basketball teammates played against
(and defeated) rival Whippnay Park, 56 – 20, Cicerone – who plays guard and small forward – scored the 1,000th point of her career, and as well grabbed her 800th rebound and swiped her 200th steal – all in the same game. The afternoon contest was well attended, and it included Cicerone’s dad and mom, Joseph and Kimberlee, her younger sister, Sophie, as well as out of state relatives. Cicerone said, “I was super excited for that game, because we knew ahead of time that I was going to get it (the 1,000 point). I was nervous going into it because I had to score nine points. Until that happened, it was just a little nerve-wracking.” The record setter came on a free throw for Cicerone, who had no idea during the game
that she was approaching new century marks for rebounds and steals as well. She recalled with a chuckle about being told about the other notable numbers. “When people told me, I said, ‘Oh really?!’ I had no idea, and that was kind of cool, too.” Cicerone, a three-sport athlete who also plays soccer in the fall and lacrosse in the spring, has led the Hornets in hardwood scoring every season since her sophomore year. Hornets Head Coach, Doug Wear, lauded the talented senior, “Samantha Cicerone is one of the most hard-working student athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching. She is a fantastic leader and role model.” Speaking about Wear, Cicerone said, “The big thing that he always reiterates to us
FLORHAM PARK – Many school districts across the United States are privileged to have education foundations to assist families during hard times, functioning as non-profit benefit corporations which are helped by a plethora of volunteers. Florham Park Education Foundation is no different. Spurred on with a Mission “to strengthen public education in the (Florham Park) School District through advocacy, fundraising and investment in programs that empower every student to achieve both academic and personal success,” the organization seeks to address gaps in programs with tax-funded dollars, add on new and creative programs which allow kids to excel and again and help students who’s family financial situation requires it, enough for the student to progress. Teachers have also benefitted from the efforts of the Foundation inside their class-
rooms. In Fall 2023, Brooklake Elementary School saw eight teachers receive grant awards. Four teachers at Briarwood Elementary School received grants while three more did at Ridgedale Middle School. Over the years, these grants have funded projects for classroom learning for ideas like Wordless Picture Books for third-graders and a Sensory Station for Kindergartners and culturally-aimed preschool books to enable pre-schoolers to get a grasp on the world around them, yet in the classroom. It takes a village of sorts to make the Foundation run and to have its programs and objectives fulfilled. At the helm, is Executive Committee President, Alexis Seubert who is flanked by Secretary Megan Mink and and Treasurer, Eliza Puzzuoli (the Committee is looking for both a Vice President and Financial Planning and Controls Chairperson). Six other positions ranging from a Grants Chairperson to Business
Development to Marketing chairperson round out the volunteer-support positions which allow the FPES to run smoothly. Donations help too. They help so much so that the Foundation runs an annual campaign and accepts general donations with visible donor recognition levels where sponsorship opportunities are available. It’s possible to donate and make a restricted gift to the Foundation’s Community Care program which again, helps students in the school district who’s parents or guardians have fallen on hard times. Events are also a mainstay of the FPEF. In October 2023, an Arts, Crafts and Music Festival was held at Ridgedale complete with sponsors, vendors and performers. While grants are awarded to several grades, FPEF offers its 7th Grade Student Grant Program of $1000.00. Only 7th graders themselves at Ridgedale, sub-
mit their ideas on how to make noteworthy, positive change in their school community. It’s stipulations for consideration are that the program suggested must make a meaningful impact on one aspect of student life at Ridgedale, must have a budget of $1000.00 or less and be implemented one year the award. While the deadline passed for submissions for 2024, all will know shortly who this year’s big winner is. With so many initiatives, programs and contributions in gear, along with a dedicated volunteer Board, it’s no surprise that FPES gets closer and closer to meeting it’s Vision, which is, “to make Florham Park School District a recognized model of educational excellence and innovation, where every student can thrive and have the opportunity to reach their highest potential.” To learn more about Florham Park Education Foundation (FPEF), logon to www. fpefnj.org.
AREA - CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Essex County is thrilled to announce the launch of its “Pinwheels of Possibilities” celebration with a kick-off cocktail party. This special event will take place on March 22nd at the Loop in Montclair, marking the beginning of a month-long campaign in April for Child
Abuse Awareness Month. The campaign aims to raise awareness and funds to continue supporting the youth of Essex County in foster care. “Pinwheels of Possibilities” serves as a beacon of hope and support for the vulnerable children in Essex County, representing the bright future that every child deserves. The
event will bring together community leaders, advocates, and supporters for an evening of solidarity, reflection, and action. Guests will enjoy a curated selection of hors d’oeuvres by Skopós Caterers, a dessert spread by The Dessert Ladies and engaging presentations about the impactful work of CASA Essex as well as musical performances by Dawn Patrick, Abraham Burton Trio and the Condrad Herwig Quartet. Event Details: March 22nd, 7:00pm at Loop, 80 Maple Ave., Montclair, NJ.
Tickets: https://www.casaessex.org/pinwheelsofpossibilities Throughout the month of April, CASA of Essex will lead a series of initiatives to shine a light on the critical issue of child abuse and the vital role that advocacy provided by CASA volunteers plays in the lives of foster children. These efforts include community workshops, educational outreach, and fundraising drives, all designed to mobilize sup-
AREA - Check out our mascot... Hank the Hornet. Look for him in the ads in this issue and enter (no purchase necessary) to win
a $25.00 gift card (4 winners). It is easy to enter. Look through the paper and read the ads and look for “Hank” in the ads. He
Samantha Cicerone’s milestone 1,000th point is celebrated by her and her team (credit: Lisa Mita)
is defense scores our points. I feel like that really reflects what my teammates and I have been able to do the last couple of years, and we have really gotten to a mindset that we are so focused on our skills and
our rebounds more so than the points, because that is where we get most of our points from.” In addition to her family and coach, Cicerone also credits Hanover Park High School
Athletic Director, Michael Menditto, for her career success. Cicerone said, “He’s also been a great influence at Hanover Park for me.”
Hidden Children of World War II Program Offered by Historical Organization to award grants for inspiring classroom initiatives Society of Florham Park BY JEFF GARRETT
Florham Park Education Foundation Moves Ahead in 2024
STAFF WRITER
CASA of Essex County Announces “Pinwheels of Possibilities” Kick-Off Celebration for Child Abuse Awareness Month
Winner from February’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” Contest
AREA - The winners from February’s “Find Hank the Hornet Mascot” are Susan Miano, Florham Park; Vinnie DeRogatis, East Hanover; Vinci Chan, East Hanover and Maureen Leddy, Florham Park. The ads that “Hank the Hor-
net” were in: Magnolia, Kidz World, Kam Man, 200 Club, Hancliffe Home for Funerals and Ideal Air. Thanks to everyone who enter and congratulations to our winners!
PLEASE SEE CASA OF ESSEX, PAGE 2
FLORHAM PARK - The Historical Society of Florham Park is hosting its first of four free and intriguing presentations for the public in 2024 next month. «Hidden Children of World War II» is scheduled for March 12, 7:00pm at the Florham Park Library. Of the 1,600,000 Jewish children who lived in Europe before World War II, only 100,000 survived the Holocaust. Most were hidden children, shuttered away in attics,cellars, convents or in villages or farms. Maud P. Dahme, a New Jersey resident, New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2014, and former president of the NJ State Board of Education, was among those who were hidden and survived. Dahme was one of the estimated 3,000 to 8,000 Jewish children in the Netherlands who were hidden and saved from the Nazi death camps by courageous Christians. The Hidden Child, a one-hour high-definition documentary, is Dahme’s own story of courage, hope and bravery in the face of evil and death. Today,Dahme devotes her life to genocide education. Issues such as tolerance, mutual respect and understanding are discussed in depth in the presentation. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this important presentation. ABOUT The Historical Society of Florham Park The Historical Society of Florham Park was founded by a group of women in 1935 to save and preserve the Little Red Schoolhouse. Located on the corner of Columbia Turnpike and Ridgedale Avenue the former schoolhouse (built in 1866) was converted into a museum. It is the symbol of Florham Park. Virtually all the artifacts in the museum were donated to and are the responsibility of the His-
torical Society. Many know the Historical Society from the informative free presentations such as this one offered for all residents. Many are familiar with books sponsored by the Historical Society such as SAGA OF A CROSSROADS (per John T. Cunningham, is “a first-rate history, … one of the best local histories every written in New Jersey”.”) and FONDLY FROM FLORHAM (letters written by a girl as she grew up in Florham Park more than 100 years ago in 1917-1921). Still more know the Historical Society of Florham Park from the decades of providing tours of the Little Red Schoolhouse. The Historical Society hopes to once again offer tours in the museum soon, on the first Sunday of each month, as 2024 is the 125th Anniversary of Florham Park. To learn more about the Little Red Schoolhouse, check- https://en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/Little_Red_Schoolhouse_ (Florham_Park,_New_Jersey) Facebook fans can check the Historical Society of Florham Park page at https://www.facebook.com/ groups/875453746446134 . And to learn more about The Historical Society of Florham Park contact Peter Nicolasat pnicolas@optimum.net or call at 973-520-8654.
will be located throughout the paper in 6 random ads. Then go to https://www.mypaperonline. com/find-hank-contest.html
scroll down and fill out the form to be entered. Winners will be notified and printed in the next issue.
Your Chance to Win a $25 Gift Card with the “Find Hank The Hornet Mascot” Contest