Current Newspapers Bonus Coverage

Fire destroys Sweetwater Casino (Bonus slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:21:50 GMT

MULLICA TOWNSHIP – Fire officials are thankful “the fire nobody ever wanted to fight” that claimed the Sweetwater Casino on Monday morning wasn’t any worse.

The 81-year-old restaurant was destroyed Monday, June 30 by a fire that officials suspect was caused by a lightning strike from a violent thunderstorm that passed through the area hours earlier.

Firefighters from more than 14 departments from Atlantic, Burlington and Ocean counties contained fire damage to only the 13,000-square-foot facility and saved a nearby marina and homes in the surrounding neighborhood.

Photos by Ed Stewart

More than 100 show their moves at dance recital (Bonus Slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:36:36 GMT

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The girls from the Egg Harbor Township Parks and Recreation Department were the stars of the evening Friday, June 27. The “Dancing with the Stars” concert showcased tap, ballet and jazz dances at the Fernwood Avenue Middle School.

More than 100 dancers, ranging from ages 4 to 16, received thunderous applause from an audience of friends and family that packed the auditorium. Among them was special guest Miss New Jersey 2008 Ashley Fairfield.

Photos by Jackie Hanusey

The Stars of the Egg Harbor Township Parks and Recreation Dance Program performance June 27 were:
Marcela Arboleda, Natalie Augustine, Briana Ayres, Meghan Ayres, Abigail Bauer, Emily Bauer, Casey Biglan, Zoe Bork, Andrea Brandenberger, Jillian Brown, Madison Canale, Jenna Canfield, Jillian Canfield, Carli Caroselli, Nicole Caroselli, Courtney Charlton, Regina Chau, Jessica Chou, Catherine Cincotti, Gianna Cincotti, Ashley Conant, Kaitlyn Conant, Jessica Dagit, Nicole Danz, Marissa Davidson, Abigail Davis, Maya Desai, Nisha Desai, Kelsey Diggins, Danielle Dimacale, Madisen Dimacale, Samantha Dimacale, Kaycee Doherty, Savannah Fortis, Emily Gargan, Arelis Gaud, Awilda Gaud, Kristianna Gaw, Lauren Gimbor, Jenna Green, Lydia Griffith, Erin Harker, Abigail Harte, Emma Harte, Madelyn Harte, Ashley Higbee, Laura Higbee, Parker Himley, Cherrish Hudgins, Gianna Ivie, Alyssa Jaikaran, Cailin Jerue, Madison Keller, Amanda Kelly, Shannon Kelly, Macey Kimmins, Emma Klein, Sarah Lopez, Ryley Martini, Caitlyn McDonnell, Agnes McDonough, Ava McDonough, Kathryn McLaughlin, Hannah Mojica, Jillian Moran, Lauren Moran, Brooke Morris, Danielle Morris, Naheel Naber, Reem Naber, Leah Newton, Kyleigh Oberman, Victoria Orlowski, Kathryn Ormond, Baylee Pelouze, Makenna Pelouze, Camila Perez, Brianna Previti, Alexis Rosario, Alexa Rosenberg, Alexandra Rowland, Emily Rudolph, Lyndsey Rudolph, Aileen Ryan, Elizabeth Santana, Jordan Santana, Logan Santana, Nicole Scharfetter, Kayla Servis, Allison Shaud, Katrina Shaud, Megan Shaud, Diana Spencer, Krystal Spencer, Tabitha Stanley, Tara Stanley, Hannah Sterling, Olivia Swisher, Lauren Thomas, Citlally Vazuez, Sabrina vonEllingtton, Isabella Vozzi, Michelle Wanner, Saita Westervelt, Sarah Wickham, Megan Yaffee, Rebecca Yaffee and Alaina Yarger.

SJ Wind Ensemble knows how to play (Bonus video)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 14:29:37 GMT

LINWOOD – The South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble engaged the crowd of approximately 200 guests in their 11th annual Concert in the Park Sunday, June 29.

It was a windy afternoon, but no one seemed to mind as the crisp breeze sent the sounds of John Williams and John Philip Sousa down the bike path and across Shore Road.

Music played by the South Jersey Area Wind Ensemble

Video by Jackie Hanusey

Atlantic City High School Graduation (BONUS SLIDESHOW)

Current Newspaper Bonus News — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 19:03:38 GMT

The Atlantic City High School Class of 2008 took its last bow as high school seniors Tuesday, June 24 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

Photos by Sean Fitzgerald

There's room for improvement at Mainland (Salutatorian address)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:59:57 GMT

Mainland Regional High School Class of 2008
Salutatorian Address

By JENNIFER CHAU

Four years ago, most of us were the Class of 2004, graduating middle school and anxiously awaiting the beginning of high school, a new chapter of our lives. What would the future hold for us? And now here we are again, right where we were before, asking again, what does the future hold for us? But this time, as the Class of 2008, we bring with us four years of growth, experience, knowledge, and memories.

Today we celebrate our tremendous accomplishment of surviving Mainland, but before we leave here for the last time as Mainland’s students, I want you all to take a good look around you. This may be the last time we will all be gathered here together in one place. This may be the last time you will see the person next to you. After this, so many of us will be scattered in so many different directions. There may be a future famous football player sitting right here among us, who will win more Super Bowls than Tom Brady. There may be future famous comedians, singers, actors and volleyball players who we may see on “Entertainment Tonight.” There may be future winners of Nobel Prizes. There may even be a future president of the United States. With the talent and potential I see in this class, the possibilities are endless!

No matter what we do, where we go, our roots are here. We will never forget the memories and the experiences we had here. We will remember swimming class freshman year, driving for the first time, and turning 18. We will remember boxes of Sour Patch kids delivered to K-Town, getting on pool tables, baseball, and for me, my song. We will remember the hard-learned lessons from our mistakes, from our indecisiveness and from well-meaning criticisms. And with all of this, we will move into the future together, taking on whatever it has in store for us, together. I know that we are ready.

I would like to take the opportunity now to thank those who have helped us get this far. Thank you to some of the faculty and staff of Mainland for your patience and dedication to the education of all students equally. And last but not least, I would like to extend a special thanks to the parents and other family and friends of the Class of 2008. Thank you for your encouragement and support for the first 18 years of our lives. Without you all, we may not be where we are today. We look forward to enjoying your continued support throughout our lives.

The future is bright for us graduates, but I can only hope the same for the future graduates of Mainland. Now, I know that you are a community that values education, that only wants what is best for your children. And that is why I think you deserve to know what is really going on behind the walls of Mainland. Unlike you all, Mainland’s administration does not value education …

(At this point, Principal Robert Blake stopped Chau and told her to leave the field. The rest of the speech she planned to deliver continues below.)

… as highly as it should. They do not encourage students to work hard and do their best. The first words spoken to me by the administration were negative and discouraging. I know students who have had the talent, ambition, and drive to challenge themselves in school, only to get shut down by the administration and told by the principal that “it wouldn’t be fair to everyone else.”

Four years ago, I entered Mainland with high hopes of receiving the best education I could, and as a student in the United States of America, I hoped that all students would be treated equally with equal opportunity to excel in high school. Unfortunately, I learned that Mainland’s administration values connections more than education.

The biggest lesson I have learned here is that it’s not what you know that matters, it’s who you know. This is a known fact around Mainland. If you know someone on the inside, perhaps on the school board, then life could be much easier. Some people choose justice and do not abuse their power. However, others do choose to take advantage of their power. Certain clubs and activities are approved right away while others are completely ignored and only approved after hard work and constant persuasion. Class officers’ election results suddenly include ties, and certain positions are shared. National tests are retaken. Graduation requirements are changed or “specified” suddenly to fit the needs of certain people. Throughout my four years here at Mainland, I have found that the rules are constantly being modified to fit the needs of certain people. Mainland’s administration needs to work towards providing equal opportunities for all of its students.

Ladies and gentlemen, it has been 10 years since Mainland has won its Blue Ribbon. Mainland needs to wake up and see that it is no longer the Blue Ribbon school it was before. It is time for a change toward improvement. Mainland’s administration needs to improve its communication and relationship with its students. A good school is one that listens to and encourages its most valued assets – students – and works together with them to improve the school for the benefit of the community, taxpayers, and themselves. Students are what make a good school. A strong faculty is important, but only with determined and hardworking students is success attainable.

I am sorry if it seems as though I am ranting. That is not my purpose today. I speak today on behalf of all the voices of the students who have been ignored. I speak to improve the future of our school and to improve the conditions for current and future students of Mainland. Hopefully, just as we have learned from our mistakes and others’ criticism, our school can learn also, so that we can all have a better tomorrow.

To the Class of 2008, I would like to personally thank you for a fantastic four years filled with many memories. I encourage you all to use your experiences to hope, to love life, to do what you want to do, to do what you think is right, to fight for your rights … because you only have one life to do right.
The future is clear, open, and full of opportunities and success! Let’s go get ’em!

Mainland bids farewell to Class of 2008 (Bonus slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 15:07:43 GMT

LINWOOD -- About 400 students graduated from Mainland Regional High School Thursday, June 19.

Look for more coverage of the commencement ceremony in the next print edition of The Current of Northfield, Linwood and Somers Point June 25.

Photo by Jackie Hanusey

Attales sends off eighth-grade Class of 2008 (BONUS SLIDESHOW)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:41:49 GMT

Seventy-eight students graduated from eighth grade at the Emma C. Attales Middle School Monday, June 16.

Photos by Sue Brutchey

Pleasantville High School Class of 2008 (BONUS SLIDESHOW)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:14:43 GMT

Pleasantville celebrated the accomplishments of the 214-member Class of 2008 in the High School’s 84th commencement ceremony Tuesday, June 17 at the school football stadium.

Photos by Sean Fitzgerald

EHTHS graduates 25th class (Bonus Slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:00:13 GMT

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The 25th class of Egg Harbor Township High School graduated Wednesday, June 18 on the football field.

Look for more coverage of the commencement ceremony in the next print edition of The Current of Egg Harbor Township June 25.

Photos by Sue Brutchey

Charter Tech Class of 2008 takes final bow (BONUS SLIDESHOW)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:18:47 GMT

Charter Tech High School for the Performing Arts held it's 8th annual commencement ceremony Tuesday, June 17 at Jordan Road Elementary School. Founder Jerry Klause, Principal Janice Strigh and Vice Principal Authur Tubbs congratulated the class and wished them luck on the journey ahead.

Photos by Ed Reed

MRHS Prom (BONUS slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 16:18:36 GMT

Mainland Regional High School students attended the junior and senior prom Saturday, June 7 at the Flanders Hotel in Ocean City.

Submitted photos

Swift program celebrates diversity of ELL students (BONUS slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 15:24:47 GMT

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – English Language Learner students from the H. Russell Swift School had fun learning about different languages and different cultures at the Countries of Origin event Monday and Tuesday, June 16 and 17.

It didn’t matter what languages they speak; it was an end-of-the-year treat for all the participants as they shared food and culture from their native countries around the world.

The students, who receive about 40 extra minutes of English language instruction a day because of various languages spoken in the home, set up displays and each recited a personal dialogue about their country of origin.

Photos by Jackie Hanusey

2008 Absegami Graduation (Bonus slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:20:01 GMT

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP – Absegami High School’s Class of 2008 received their diplomas at a commencement ceremony Wednesday, June 11.

Photos by Sean Fitzgerald

2008 Oakcrest Graduation (Bonus slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 13:20:19 GMT

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP – The Oakcrest High School Class of 2008 graduated Wednesday, June 11.

Photos by Sue Brutchey

Father's Day tributes from Mrs. Ingersoll's fifth-grade class (BONUS ENTRIES)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 00:01:12 GMT

Father's Day tributes from Mrs. Ingersoll’s fifth-grade class at the Dr. Joyanne D. Miller Elementary School.

My dad’s name is Jim Mcintosh. We do fun things like going to the surf game. My dad’s favorite color is red. My dad’s favorite rock band is Kiss. Dad plays the piano and drums. My dad and I watch the Simpsons together. That’s why he is the best dad in the world.
Jimmy McIntosh

My Dad’s name is Dave Smithouser. My Dad’s favoret color is green . My Dad is always funny. My Dad takes me to the pool. I love to watch American Idol with my Dad. That’s why he is the BEST dad in the world !!
Megan Smithouser

My dad’s name is John Branca. My dad takes me to fun places. He helps me get stronger and healthy. He takes me camping and helps me with homework. My dad turned me into a Steelers fan. My dad’s favorite color is yellow. My dad and I like to watch Steelers games together. My dad is the best dad in the world.
Zack Branca

My dad’s name is John Hlifka he help’s me with my homework . My dad’s car is black. My dad and I watch the Flinstones together. My dad is a Steeler’s fan . My dad takes my mom, brother, sister and I to fun places. My Dad ‘s the greatest dad it the world.
Justin Hilfka

My dad’s name is Chaz. My dad is the coolest dad in the world he plays video games with me. He takes me to fun place sand he buys me cool things. That is why my dad is the best dad in the world.
Christopher Melton

Hi my name is Gabriella Cox! I have a wonderful dad! His name is Steve Cox. He takes good care of me, we always have fun together, and he always teaches me new things. He is the best dad ever! I love you dad!!!
Gabriella Cox!

Hello my name is Matthew Giannuario. My dad’s name is Carmen Giannuario. He has hundreds of trophies for paintball, basketball, tennis, and a couple of other sports. He is also a famous chef. My dad is the best in the world.
Matthew Giannuario

Hola my name is Adrianna Ingraham.
My dad is Tim Ingraham. My dad does many things for me. Such as: bring me to the mall, buy a lot of clothes, and many more. He loves me and I love him. He’s a great dad I could never ask for more. I love you! Hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day.
Your daughter,
Adrianna Ingraham

Hi my name is Bryan (B.. My dad’s name is Greg Brubaker and I am going to tell you
about my dad. He is so helpful in baseball when I play. When he takes me fishing I have so much fun. I Love You and I could never ask for more in you, Dad. Have a wonderful Father’s Day.
Your son,
Bryan

My dad rules!!! My dad’s name is Joe. He takes me to the boardwalk and stuff. He also has the best job ever, he drives a limo. He is the best dad in the world. Have an awesome Father’s Day.
Your kid,
John Hampton

My dad’s name is Vinnie. He is really nice.
Dad, you are the best dad in the world. You teach me lots of things. You are a really good cook and builder. You take me lots of places. You are really cool!!!
Your kid,
Rocco

They're all mad here (Bonus slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:30:05 GMT

To celebrate Lewis Carroll’s classic story “Alice in Wonderland,” the Otto Bruyns Public Library of Northfield held a Mad Hatter’s Tea Party June 7. Children gathered to hear the story, play musical chairs and pin the smile on the Cheshire Cat, color, and enjoy tea and cookies. Librarians came prepared for the party wearing unique hats and provided creative top hats for the children to wear.

Photos by Stefanie Campolo

Food, family, and fun highlight Greek Festival (Bonus Slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:50:05 GMT

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – The 25th annual Greek Festival at the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church was a time not to be missed this weekend.

The fun was in full swing all four days of the event. There was something for everyone, whether you came to see the fireworks, ride the amusement rides or had to hit the grounds for some homemade Greek delicacies.

Photos by Jackie Hanusey

Bike rodeo gets students ready for the road (Bonus slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:23:32 GMT

LINWOOD – Fourth-graders once again rounded up their bicycles for the annual bike rodeo Monday, June 9 on the grounds of the Poplar Avenue School.

Photos by Jackie Hanusey

2008 Mainland Regional High School After Prom (Bonus Slideshow)

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:21:13 GMT

The Mainland Regional High School after prom started just after the main event Saturday night and ran into the wee hours of the morning, providing fun, music and games in a drug- and alcohol-free environment for hundreds of partygoers.

Photos by Suzanne Marino

Absegami softball vs. Toms River East 2008

James Fitzpatrick Jersey Shore — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:31:57 GMT