ACKNOWLEDGING EXCELLENCE
The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational and Technical Education honored the 2008 recipients of the Acknowledging Excellence Awards. Each year the Foundation honors an outstanding community partnership, a retired educator and three Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) graduates.
This year the Foundation recognized the New Jersey Forest Resource Education Center (FREC). FREC is an instrumental resource to the OCVTS district. Under the direction of Education Coordinator Terry O’Leary, Project Learning Tree Director Elizabeth Faircloth and Regional Forester John Burkle, the FREC offers resources and supports educational opportunities for students throughout the district. They provide students with internships that are invaluable in terms of field experience; access to unique project locations throughout the watershed; in-service training for teachers; and natural resource training for students involved in regional competitions.

FREC has contributed materials and guidance in the construction of two federally-recognized Rain Gardens, one at Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES) in Manahawkin and the other in collaboration with the Agricultural and Environmental Science program at the OCVTS Jackson Center.

Terry O’Leary also works closely with the Custom Cabinetmaking classes in the Jackson Center. The FREC provides lessons in local forestry, as well as supplying classes with lumber, including walnut, elm and yellow poplar. The students then design and build cabinetry and other projects which are used throughout the Ocean County Parks System.
The NJ Forest Resource Education Center is recognized as an invaluable partner in educational initiatives to help protect and preserve our environment, and for itscontributions to the success of our programs.

Norma Vlahides, was honored as the retired educator. Ms. Vlahides dedicated 15 years of her career to OCVTS as instructor of Medical Skills and also Nurse’s Assistant, retiring in 2001.

Three successful graduates were also recognized. Amanda Depsey-Matthews, of Bayville, graduated in 1999 from the OCVTS Employment Orientation Service Occupations program and then completed the OCVTS Cosmetology program. Ms. Dempsey-Matthews has built a successful career at Hair Friends & Company, where she has worked for nine years.

Chad Durkin, of Beachwood, graduated from the OCVTS Culinary Baking/Pastry program in 2001. Mr. Durkin is an accomplished chef and a member of the United State Culinary Team. He competes in the International Culinary Olympics where his team has won bronze, silver and gold medals.

Debra Gall. of Brick, graduated from the OCVTS Cosmetology program in 1975. After many years in her career field, and as the owner of Classy Look Salon, in Point Pleasant, Ms. Gall returned to OCVTS as a Cosmetology instructor in 2002.

The honorees were recognized at a dinner ceremony held at the OCVTS Navy Lakehurst Culinary Center. The meal was prepared by OCVTS Culinary students and entertainment was provided by OCVTS Performing Arts Academy students.

Foundation Offcers Named for 2008

Foundation Officers Named for 2008
Toms River-Francis E. Brady, Jr. has been appointed to serve another term as the Chairman of the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education. Mr. Brady, of Toms River, has been a member of the Foundation Board of Trustees for five years and has served as an officer for the past two years.

Mr. Brady is the owner of Beachcomber Hair Salons in Point Pleasant and South Toms
River. He was a founding member of the Central Ocean Rotary Club and a Paul Harris
Fellow. He has also served as the Commodore of the Toms River Yacht Club.

Serving as Vice Chariman of the Foundation this year is Murray Dychtwald,
of Restaurant Rescue, Toms River; along with Kathy Perillo, from OceanFirst Bank,
Toms River, as foundation secretary; and Stewart Swann, of Micromedia Publications,
Lakehurst, as foundation treasurer.

The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education was established
in 1994, by a group of community leaders. Its mission to ensure a quality education
for the students of the Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) district.

Through various fundraising efforts and the attraction of private resources the Foundation
is focused on providing financial support to: facilitate student development; encourage
excellence through creative learning; and promote community/school partnerships. The
Foundation provides financial support for equipment, facilities and program development
not funded by any other means, for the exclusive benefit of students and staff of OCVTS.

The Foundation’s largest fundraising effort, the 12th Annual International Chef’s Night Out,
will be held Monday, March 3, 2008 at the Poland Springs Arena at the Ritacco Center,
Toms River. Known as ‘the biggest party in Ocean County”, the event is a culinary
extravaganza of area chefs and local businesses. Tickets, sold in advance only, are
$60. per person. Call 732.240.6414 ext. 3339 for details.

Senior Citizens Stay Informed

The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational and Technical Education hosted a luncheon seminar and presented information regarding the current issues faced by Ocean County senior citizens.

The seminar was held at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s (OCVTS) Brick Center on Chambers Bridge Road and lunch was prepared by the OCVTS Culinary Arts students.

Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari welcomed several dozen guests in attendance. He emphasized the need for all citizens to stay informed and to utilize the many services offered throughout the county. Mr. Vicari stressed that “people are living longer and it is important to maintain the quality of life.” He explained that Ocean County serves as a model for the surrounding areas when it comes to delivering the necessary resources for our senior citizens. He encouraged everyone to “get the word out to their friends and neighbors” regarding the valuable resources and programs available to those in need. “It is all about neighbor helping neighbor,” he concluded.

Guest Speaker, and Foundation member, Laurie Flynn, Vice President – Wealth Management for Smith Barney, spoke about creating and maintaining a framework for financial planning. She discussed several topics related to simplifying the management of accumulated investments and wealth which can become overwhelming as time passes. Ms. Flynn stressed the importance of “doing your homework before you divulge your personal and financial information to any financial planner. Make sure you are comfortable and trust the person you select.” She provided resource information to check the credentials of a financial planner.

Robert Novy, of Novy & Associates, LLC, Manchester, specializes in estate planning. Mr. Novy discussed the basic steps to ensure that a person’s wishes in regards to their estate can be fulfilled. He encouraged everyone to take the time to plan ahead to avoid complications after the death of a loved one.

The Ocean County Sheriff’s Department presented safety information for senior citizens. Foundation member Lieutenant Detective Laurie Cahill discussed the ever-present dangers of identity theft and steps to prevent it.

The Ocean County Foundation for Vocational and Technical Education was established in 1994 to help ensure a quality education for the students of Ocean County Vocational Technical School. It was formed by a group of corporate and community leaders in Ocean County. The group is independent of, though fully supported by, the OCVTS District. The mission of this educational foundation is to augment, supplement, and compliment OCVTS programs through the attraction of private resources for the exclusive benefit of students and staff.

OCEAN COUNTY- The OceanFirst Foundation has donated $77,977 to the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education. The money will be used to purchase a refrigerated truck for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School’s culinary program that will be used to transport food to catered events. An oversized check was presented to OCVTS recently. Joining in the ceremony are, from left, Dr. Bruce Greenfield, Ocean County Superintendent of Schools; William P. Hoey Jr., OCVTS Superintendent; Michael M. O’Brien, Senior Vice President of Ocean First Bank; Kathy Durante, Executive Director of the OceanFirst Foundation; Nina Anuario, OceanFirst Vice President of Business Development, and President of the OCVTS Board of Education; Frank Brady, First Vice Chairman of the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education, and Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari, liaison to OCVTS.

TOMS RIVER – Tina Held, of Point Pleasant , an instructor in the Ocean County Vocational Technical School ’s (OCVTS) Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science (MATES), is one of six New Jersey teachers named finalists in the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching competition sponsored by the National Science Foundation.

Ms. Held was one of three New Jersey science teachers selected after they submitted applications to the foundation. The others are Luisa Marcos, of Union Hill High School , Union City and Marilyn Steneken, of the Sparta Township Middle School . Mathematics teachers selected for the award were Nancy Ciandella, of the Gloucester Institute of Technology; Ellen LeBlanc, of the Monmouth County Vocational Technical School ’s High Technology High School , and Linda Wisneski, of the Morris Hills Public Schools, Rockaway, Morris County .

Two representatives from each state, one representing science teachers and one representing mathematic teachers, will be selected to attend a Washington ceremony in March where the national winner will be named, according to Dr. Robert R. Higgins, of the New Jersey Department of Education

“Each state winner will receive a $10,000 grant and a certificate signed by President Bush. They’ll also meet government officials and possibly the president,” said Dr. Higgins who heads the Office of Innovative Programs.

The theme of Ms. Held’s submission was “Can the Age of a Fish be Determined by Less Invasive, More Efficient Field Methods.” Her experiment, both in the classroom and at Cattus Island State Park , in Dover Township , was carried out by 11 high school freshmen and sophomores.

The teacher is a graduate of Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and earned certificates in Graduate Marine Science at Rider University , Lawrenceville, and the College of the Atlantic , Bar Harbor , Maine .

Before joining OCVTS in 2001, Ms. Held was an instructor at Manasquan High School .