The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Concepts &Thought

Scotch Plains Pupils Earn Dean’s List At James Madison Univ.

SCOTCH PLAINS – Scotch Plains residents Megan E. McEneely and Jonathan M. Winkler have been named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Va.

David Cavan Receives Masters with Honors

Li Juan Liu Awarded Accounting Scholarship

WESTFIELD – Li Juan Yu, a Westfield resident and a junior at Kean University, was recently awarded a $2,000 accounting scholarship by the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJSCPA). Seth Isaacs Graduates Univ. of Rochester

WESTFIELD – Seth Isaacs, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Alan Isaacs and a former Westfield resident, recently graduated from the University of Rochester.

Seth graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology. He was appointed to Phi Beta Kappa and earned distinction in research.

He will be attending medical school in Syracuse this fall.

Bonnie Little Receives Special Scholarship

SCOTCH PLAINS – Bonnie Little, the granddaughter of Scotch Plains resident Herbert Argast, has earned an Otis A. Singletary Scholarship, the most prestigious fouryear scholarship the University of Kentucky offers. With a 4.0 grade point average, Bonnie, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Little of Lexington, Ky., ranked second academically in her Tates Creek High School graduating class of 357 students.

Univ. of Vermont Posts Westfield Graduates

WESTFIELD – The following Westfield students have earned degrees at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vt.: Helen M. Johnson, Scott K. Mueller and Gianna M. Volini.

Helen earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Biology, Scott received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Studies, and Gianna earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Work.

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Lara Rothschild Plans To Study in Kenya

WESTFIELD – Lara Rothschild, a Union College Class of 2002 English major, will participate in the College’s fall term abroad program in Nairobi, Kenya. Lara is a 1998 graduate of Westfield High School.

Katherine A. Egan Named to Dean’s List

At Colby College

WESTFIELD – Colby College in Waterville, Me. has announced that Katherine A. Egan, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Egan of Westfield, has been named to its Dean’s List for the spring semester. A degree candidate for the Class of 2002, Katherine is majoring in English and education. She is a graduate of Westfield High School.

Joanna Kreil Earns Academic Honors At Skidmore College

WESTFIELD – Joanna Kreil, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kreil of Westfield and a member of the Class of 2002 at Skidmore College in Sarasota Springs, N. Y., earned highest honors during the spring semester at Skidmore.

Jennifer Kassakian Graduates Colby

WESTFIELD – Jennifer M. Kassakian, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Kassakian of Westfield, graduated from Colby College in Waterville, Me. Jennifer majored in Biology with a concentration in Environmental Science and minored in Economics.

A graduate of Westfield High School, she achieved Dean’s List and magna cum laude status at Colby.

Scotch Plains Pupils Earn Dean’s List Status at Bloomsburg

SCOTCH PLAINS – The following students from Scotch Plains have been named to the Dean’s List for the spring semester at Bloomsburg University: Elizabeth S. Drown, Elizabeth B. Kylish and Sara L. Kylish.

Kristin E. Gruman Graduates Rutgers With Highest Honors

WESTFIELD – Kristin E. Gruman, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey C. Gruman of Westfield, has graduated from Rutgers College of Rutgers University with Highest Honors, representing her achievement of a final grade point average of over 3.9.

Kristin was also recognized by the Rutgers School of Business with Departmental Honors and for her membership in Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society, Golden Key National Honor Society, and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.

She will continue her education this fall by entering a Master of Science Degree program with a major in Business Administration at the Jokoping International Business School in Sweden.

Kristin is a 1996 graduate of Westfield High School.

Univ. of Rhode Island Posts Dean’s List

WESTFIELD – Phillip A. Orsini and Stefanie Ring, both of Westfield, have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, R. I. for the spring semester. WESTFIELD – David Edward

Cavan, formerly of Westfield, received a Master of Education Degree in the School of Guidance and Counseling at the Loyola

College Commencement Ceremonies in Baltimore, Md. on May 23.

Of the 345 students, Mr. Cavan was one of three nominated for the Wise Award for highest academic achievement, most professional development, and outstanding community service. His cumulative grade point average was 3.98 and he was honored with three awards from the National Honor Council of Chi Sigma Iota, the Professional Development Award, the Outstanding Contribution Award and the Outstanding Professional Service Award.

A 1992 graduate of Westfield High School, Mr. Cavan obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Loyola College in 1996. He was the Assistant Dean of Psychology at Felician College in Lodi prior to returning to Loyola for his Masters Degree.

Mr. Cavan is currently employed by the Baltimore County School System and will begin in September as an Elementary School Guidance Counselor. The Maryland Association of Counseling and Development has elected him to be their Treasurer for the next two years.

He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Cavan of Westfield.

Principal Profile

A Principal Going the Extra Mile: Franklin School’s Margaret Dolan

By MARYLOU MORANO

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WESTFIELD – Dr. Margaret Dolan, Principal of Westfield’s Franklin Elementary School is in a class of her own. It is her ability to meet the needs of students, parents, teachers and staff that sets her apart.

With an enrollment of close to 600 students, Franklin is Westfield’s largest elementary school. As its principal for the last four years, Dr. Dolan has become an expert at balancing education and administration.

A Jersey City native now living in Scotch Plains, Dr. Dolan received her

undergraduate degree from Douglass College and earned a doctorate in education from Rutgers Graduate School. Prior to accepting the position of principal at Franklin, Dr. Dolan spent four years teaching music at Deerfield School in Mountainside.

“Westfield is a great district to work in,” exclaimed Dr. Dolan, adding that many families choose to reside in Westfield because of its outstanding school system.

“The parents of students who attend school in Westfield really value education,” she explained.

“I love teaching but I also enjoy the challenges of running a school, being an administrator and working towards change,” Dr. Dolan continued.

Karen Salter, a second grade teacher who commutes 45 minutes one way from East Windsor to Franklin School sees Dr. Dolan as being very supportive of the school’s teachers.

“She always asks for our input and opinions and includes us in the decision making process,” said Ms. Salter, who was hired by Dr. Dolan four years ago. “She helps you grow as a professional.”

While Franklin School’s teachers consider Dr. Dolan a role model and mentor, parents admire her for her approachability and availability.

“She is an excellent listener,” said Parent Teacher Association Vice President Trudy Silverman, whose daughter Dora, will be in the fourth grade in September. “Dr. Dolan is always willing to take

whatever action is needed. She uses her background and perspective to bring about cooperation between teachers, parents and staff for the ultimate benefit of the student.”

“No matter how busy her day is, no matter how many interruptions she has, Dr. Dolan always has time for the students,” said her secretary Allison Fiorino of Westfield.

Mrs. Silverman concurred, recalling a time when Dora was recently transferred to Franklin. “Dr. Dolan stopped her in the hall and asked her how she was doing,” she said. “It’s the little things that mean a lot.”

Dr. Dolan’s office door is always open to staff, parents and students. She tries to stop in on each class at least once a day. She knows most of the school’s 580 students, as well as their parents, by name. She goes out of her way to lend a personal touch to all her students, especially if she is aware they are facing some difficulty.

An accomplished musician, Dr. Dolan accompanies her students on the harp at the school’s winter concert.

While her students spend the summer relaxing, Dr. Dolan will be preparing for their return in September to an enlarged Franklin Elementary School with seven new classrooms. She will, however, take the time for an important event in her life. In July, Dr. Dolan will be married to CBS radio newsman Rich Lamb, and they will honeymoon in Spain.

Dr. Margaret Dolan WHS French National

Exams Results Prove Successful, Says Teacher

WESTFIELD – According to French Teacher at Westfield High School (WHS), MarieLaure Hollander, the recent results of the French National Exam proved fruitful for WHS students.

Approximately 53 WHS pupils took the exam, which consists of 80 multiple choice questions, divided into listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary, history and culture sections.

In New Jersey alone, 1,842 students took the test.

Ranked nationally in the state, the following students achieved outstanding results:

·Level 2: Teacher, Mrs. Hollander – Anne Laughlin (5th in New Jersey, 9th in the nation); Angela Ricci (6th in New Jersey, 10th in the nation, Kelly Yang (10th in New Jersey).

·Level 3: Teacher, Nancy Didlier – Ashley Carr (3rd in New Jersey, 6th in the nation), Ellen Berstein (9th in New Jersey), Rosanne Palatucci (9th in New Jersey), Erin McClellan (10th in New Jersey).

·Level 3 Bilingual/ Native Category: Eric Hollander (5th in New Jersey, 8th in the nation).

·Level 4: Teacher, David Davis – Katherine Trimble (8th in New Jersey).

Jana Zeljkovic Receives Bachelor’s Degree At Brown University

SCOTCH PLAINS – Jana Zeljkovic, the daughter of Ilija Zeljkovic of Scotch Plains, received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Brown University in Providence, R. I. Jana earned her degree in Engineering.

Jennifer Claire Livaduais Receives Bachelor’s Degree

At Brown University

WESTFIELD – Jennifer Claire Livaudais, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Paul F. Livaudais of Westfield, received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brown University in Providence, R. I.

Jennifer earned her degree in Community Health with special academic honors.

Local Residents Graduate Mount St. Mary Academy

Residents from Westfield, Scotch Plains and Fanwood graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in Watchung on June 3. Listed below are the names of the graduates and the awards they received at an Awards Convocation held in late May.

Westfield:

Margaret K. Bendulf – magna cum laude, member of the National Honor Society and Cum Laude Society, Honors Achievement in Social Studies.

Megan A. Brunhoffer – magna cum laude, member of the National Honor Society and Cum Laude Society, Honors Achievement in French.

Mary Kathleen Lechner – cum laude, member of National Honor Society.

Maria C. McGinley – Christian Leadership and Service Award, Outstanding Honors Achievement in two mathematics courses.

Scotch Plains:

Monica L. Anderson – cum laude, member of National Honor Society, Christian Leadership & Service Award.

Danielle S. Bousquet – summa cum laude – member of the National Honor Society and Cum Laude Society, Award for Highest Honors Achievement for four years, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Special Editor Award for PEEKS, the Academy’s newspaper, Honors Achievement in Science.

Kristy M. Docabo – magna cum laude, First Place Award in National Spanish Exam New Jersey Chapter, Third Place National.

Lindsay J. Lamarre – Christian Leadership and Service Award.

Arti D. Patel Elizabeth J. Testa – Sister M. Eloise Claire Award for Consistent and Significant Works of Charity and Merciful Service to CommunityatLarge.

Fanwood:

Laura M. Kalnicky – cum laude, member of the National Honor Society, Knights of Columbus Martinsville Chapter Award, Outstanding Honors Achievement in Art and English. Edward F. Smith of Westfield and

Russell J. Verducci of Fanwood graduated from Seton Hall Prep in West Orange on June 10.

Edward received the Monsignor Thomas J. Tuohy Award, given to those graduates who maintained an “A” average over four years and received the Edward J. Bloustein Award.

He was a member of the Ambassa dors, the Peer Leadership Program and

the National Honor Society. Edward received the Hugo Senerchia Medallion for Excellence in Humanities and the Father James Foley Medallion for Excellence in Peer Leadership.

Edward will attend Colby College in the fall.

Russell will attend University of Delaware in the fall.

SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS… Scotch PlainsFanwood High School Alumni Association Scholarship Winners received $1,000 each. The recipients were decided by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Carboy, Jo Perrucci, Oakley Pandick and Kristi Hawkins. Pictured, left to right, are: Kelli Church, Scotch PlainsFanwood High School Principal Dr. David Heisey, and Colleen Sellers.

Seton Hall Prep Graduates Westfield, Fanwood Pupils

James Madison Univ. Announces Dean’s List

Dean’s List honorees from Westfield attending James Madison University include Michael F. Rodihan, Julianne Arnold and Kristen M. Toriello.