UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE LOCALSOURCE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2011 — PAGE 13 SCHOOL ZONE Summit celebrates diversity Multicultural Night hosted at Johnson A pageant of ethnic food, music, dance, drama, crafts, decor and enthusiasm marked the cele- bration of diversity at Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School's Multicultural Night. The April event, ir. the school's main gym, drew between 300 and 500 guests throughout the course of the evening. The gym was decorated with flags, banners, and balloons, and students and their families set up tables of ethnic food samples, pho- tos, crafts and other representations of their national backgrounds. Thir- ty-six nationalities are represented by the middle school population. Upon their arrival, guests at Multicultural Night were issued "passports," which would be stamped as they visited each "coun- try." The passports also doubled as the evening's program schedule. Throughout the event, background music was being played with inter- national songs as the selections. "It's really great to see the stu- dents celebrating their own her- itages," said LCJSMS Principal Matt Block. "They are so eager to share the richness of their cultures with others." Entertainment by students Anne Borzner, Ciara Lawlor and Catherine Lawlor, from left, were part of the enter- tainment at the Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School Multicultural Night. Anne and Catherine are sixth-graders at the middle school; Ciara is a fourth-grader at Summit's Washington School. included Irish Step Dancing; a dra- matic presentation, coordinated by teacher Jamie Walter; American Step Dancers, advised by teacher Steffany Henion; a performance of international songs by the Bel Canto vocal ensemble, directed by- teacher Christopher Wolff; a violin performance with an international flair, directed by teacher Joann Manhardt; a guitar solo by student Keenan Buckley; and an Asian Indian dance performed by student Sandhiya Narasimharaj. Multicultural Night was organ- ized by LCJSMS French teacher Mary Lockshin and a planning committee comprising guidance counselors Cristina Martinez and Stefanie Jurista and teachers Suanne Benowitz, Theresa Martin, Joelle Minet and Carolyn Mozes. The Lawton C. Johnson Summit Middle School PTO, under the leadership of its president Mary Mokuvos, contributed $1,000 in funding for Multicultural Night. Teacher honored by NJSBA Erin Reilly, special education teacher at Valley Road School in Clark, was the recipient of the "Innovations In Special Educa- tion" award through the New Jer- sey School Boards Association. Reilly received the award through her self-esteem building, inclusive and visionary program "Lunch Monitors." Through this program, stu- dents, both general and special education, assume the role of lunch monitors to assure each classmate is included and partic- ipates in both lunchroom and recess activities. The program was created by Reilly, who is now in her third year of teaching at Valley Road School. She was selected for this state-wide recognition from 565 Districts in State. A total of 62 programs were nominated throughout the state, and the New Jersey School Boards Association selected the ten programs they viewed as best practices through- out New Jersey Public Schools. "As a district we are extreme- ly proud of Erin Reilly. She is a very hard working, innovative and creative teacher who gives countless hours above and beyond the school day to create programs for her students," Superintendent of Schools Ken- neth Knops said. STUDENT UPDATE Bottitta earns spot in Jesuit honor society Lauren A. Bottitta of Rahwaj was among the 58 University of Scranton students inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, the national honor society for students in Jesuit colleges and universities. Bottitta is a senior majoring in management at University of Scranton, located in northeast Pennsylvania. Clark resident makes Evansvilie dean's list The University of Evansvilie has announced that Donald Gaston of Clark has achieved a place on the dean's list. Gaston, a political sci- ence major, made the dean's list for academic achievements during the spring semester 2011. Linden student set to graduate with honors Lori Zamanski, a resident of Linden, was recently inducted into Providence College's chapter of Tau Pi Phi, the national honor soci- ety for accounting, business admin- istration and economics. A member of the class of 2011, Zamanski graduated from Provi- dence College with a degree in management. Hampton graduates several county locals Hampton University's 141st Annual Commencement ceremony was on May 8 at Armstrong Stadium. The following local residents graduated from Hampton University: Brittany Kirkland of Union, Zakiya Randolph of Union, Briana Sellers of Union, Amanii Davenport of Hillside, Brittni Williams of Hill- side, LaCarla Donaldson of Linden and Tamesha Johnson of Rahway. Honors from Marist The following students were named to the Marist College dean's list for the fall 2010 semester: Joseph Touloumis of Cranford is a member of the class of 2011; Michael Ozolnieks of Cranford is a member of the class of 2012; Michael Kurtz of Clark is a mem- ber of the class of 2012; April Baton of Clark is a member of the class of 2012. Galloping Hill Cruitert Join us every Monday Night 6pm-9pm Cruise for a Cause 2011: New Jersey Institute for Disabilities Bring this adin Tues, Wed or Thursday for Buy 1, Get 1 Free Hot Dog Offer Exp. 6/9/11 Galloping Hill Inn 325 Chestnut St., Union • 908-686-2683 • 2jW»J