Project Playground Program.FINAL

PROJECT PLAYGROUND

Ribbon Cutting and Dedication Ceremony

NOVEMBER 13, 2023

Lincoln Early Childhood Center 728 Westfield Avenue, Westfield NJ 07090

3:30 PM

Schedule WHS Orchestra / Strings

Dr. Tiffany Jacobson - Welcome Erica Witte & Laura Skidmore, Project Playground Steering Committee

Corey Wu-Jung, Westfield Foundation Dr. Raymond González, Superintendent Recognition of Student Designers Staci Acquasanta, Lincoln Parent Reema Thakkar, Project Playground Steering Committee Student Readings 4:20 PM

Ribbon Cutting WHS Marching Band

PROJECT PLAYGROUND COMMITTEE Erica Witte Laura Skidmore Reema Thakkar

Rachel Christensen Carolyn DeGoria Danielle Giordano Kristine Gargiulo Lea Gates Kim Hurley Valerie Rubenstein Sarah Tobler

Thank you to our Key Partners Westfield Public Schools Dr. Tiffany Jacobson Dr. Raymond González Patricia Ramos Sean McArthur Janet Davey Kerri Linder Lisa Bertone Ann Marie Kuba Leanne Merlo Mary Ann McGann

Town of Westfield Mayor Shelley Brindle Jim Gildea Greg O’Neill Westfield Department of Public Works

Project Playground Young Designers Jillian Almendral, WHS Class of 2024 About myself: Hi! I'm a senior at WHS and I love involving myself in service around town! I've also taken art classes throughout my middle and high school career and am involved in WHS STEM clubs like Robotics and 3-D Printing.

Why I decided to Volunteer as a Project Playground Young Designer: I love that Project Playground is geared towards the town's children, the next generation of Westfield. I also could not pass up the opportunity to combine three of my biggest interests, service, art, and engineering, into one project.

What did I enjoy most about this project: I love the process of making the designs and receiving feedback, making sure each line is beneficial to our students.

Sophia Basaldua, WHS Class of 2025 About myself: I am a very artistic person and have done several other works around Westfield like a mural on the Central Underpass.

Why I decided to Volunteer as a Project Playground Young Designer: I am the oldest of two younger sisters that went to Lincoln. I wanted to give back to a school that gave my sisters so many fun memories.

What did I enjoy most about this project: The most enjoyable part about this project was sketching out the many lines to create the cleanest grid I could.

Mahika Dang, WHS Class of 2025 About myself: I love participating in community service, art, and design.

Westfield is my home, and I’m always looking to make a positive impact here.

Why I decided to Volunteer as a Project Playground Young Designer: I love to find ways to contribute back to the community in any way I can, and this project seemed like an amazing way to help Westfield kids.

What did I enjoy most about this project: I loved the designing aspect of this project, and the creative freedom I was allowed.

Project Playground Young Designers Erica Donohue,WHS Class of 2025 About myself: As an organized, determined, and goal-oriented person, I jump at any chance to improve myself. My curriculum at WHS has included Foundations of Art and Graphic Design which has expanded my interest in the Marketing field. I participate in several clubs such as the Architecture Club and Girls Flag Football.

Why I decided to Volunteer as a Project Playground Young Designer: This was a great opportunity for me to give back to my community and use my skills to assist in making this project a success.

What did I enjoy most about this project: Using my creativity to develop an interactive board that will be inclusive for all students.

Kai Patel, WHS Class of 2026 About myself: I am a sophomore at Westfield High School and I am one of the Heads of Outreach in Robotics Club as well as a Head of Information Technology (IT) for WHS Science Olympiad. Outside of clubs and school, I have a passion for digital art and love to tell corny dad jokes.

Why I decided to Volunteer: I was inspired to volunteer as a young designer because I want to give back to a community who has given so much to me.

What did I enjoy most about this Project: Of all of the enjoyable things about this project, I liked doing the digital planning the best because it helped me grow more as an artist.

We are excited to announce the expansion of this successful initiative.

COMING SOON! Project Playground at Franklin and Jefferson Elementary Schools.

WITH GRATITUDE TO OUR 200 GENEROUS DONORS, including The Harster Family Phyllis Parola, in honor of Kenneth Parola

The Kirkup Family The Tobler Family The McGraw Family

The Maher Family

The Witte Family

The Hurley/Giordano Family The Acquasanta/Spano/Spass Families Project Playground Logo designed by Jillian Almendral

The Skidmore Family