Town Journal
About Town
Fair Haven
Collen Rigby of Fair Haven is one of 24 students to earn the Jefferson Scholarship for study at the University of Virginia beginning this fall.
A 2009 graduate of Rumson Fair Haven Regional High School, Rigby is a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, a member of the National Honor Society, president of the Spanish Honor Society, and an AP Scholar. She was also captain of the varsity soccer team, a member of the school's squash club team, the Model United Nations Club, a volunteer at her church, and provides bi-lingual tutoring to children through the community YMCA Outreach Program.
Jefferson Scholars receive stipends to cover the complete cost of attending the University for four years, including tuition, room and board, books and other University-related expenses, as well as leadership training programs and foreign travel/study. Over four years a Jefferson Scholarship provides approximately $80,000 for an in-state student and more than $175,000 to an out-of-state student.
Holmdel
Eric Katzen, a scout from Holmdel Troop 331 led by Scoutmaster Brian McMullen, attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
The Eagle Rank is the highest rank in scouting that requires a Scout to complete rank advancement, a minimum of 21 and a significant service project that delivers a service back to the community that demonstrates considerable effort, fund raising, and leadership.
Katzen's service project was the construction of a Gaga Pit, at the Freehold YMCA. A Gaga pit is an octagonal shape enclosure that allows for the playing a form of dodge ball that has its roots in Israel. Katzen completed the project over two weekends in May with the help of 29 volunteers and $2,800 in donations.
Middletown
The Leonardo Beach Party, originally scheduled for July 23, has been rescheduled for Thursday, August 6 from 6 to 9 p.m. The free family event, sponsored by the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department, will feature games, music and dancing.
Call (732) 615-2260 for more information.
Rebecca's Reel Quilters of Poricy Park are holding a Handmade Quilt Raffle to benefit Poricy Park, 345 Oak Hill Road.
The queen-sized quilt is designed, created and donated by the members of Rebecca's Reel Quilters Guild of Poricy Park. It is designed with shades of blues with accents of soft yellow and white, and is valued at $1,000. Raffle tickets are $1 per ticket and the drawing will be held on Thursday, November 5.
For information or to purchase a ticket, visit Poricy Park's Nature Center Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., log on to www.PoricyPark.org, or call (732) 842-5966.
Red Bank
Boy Scout Troop 67, sponsored by the Tower Hill First Presbyterian Church, honored four scouts at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor. John-Yin Mills Chong, Jacob Snyder, Luke Paolantonio, and Tyler Simpson, were all advanced to Eagle Scout.
Jon-Yin earned 21 merit badges and his Eagle service project entailed refurbishing personal computers for the organization Love in the Name of Christ. This project helps people gain computer literacy skills in hopes of helping them better themselves in the job market.
Snyder earned 25 merit badges as well as a number of special awards. His service project involved improving the River Rats Sailing Club to support non-profit sailing opportunities for young children. Jacob repaired railing, created at garden and created new wooden benches for the area.
Paolantonio earned 25 merit badges and for his project made improvements to the Harding Bird Sanctuary in Fair Haven.He created a meeting circle so the area can now be used for outdoor learning, as well as making the area safe by clearing and defining a path for people to enjoy the Sanctuary.
Simpson earned 32 merit badges as well as a number of special awards and achievements. His service project focused on the American Chestnut tree, once a dominant species and now in danger. He worked in Hartshorne Woods Park to protect a number of the tree specimens by fencing them off to keep the deer from eating their new growth.
