The Evesham Township Board of Education recognized and cited several district students at its regular meeting last month.
Band students from Marlton and DeMasi middle schools performed music for the meeting’s audience in person and via livestream. The following students and staff from Marlton middle were commended for successfully earning placement in the 2023-’24 All-South Jersey Orchestra: Student Victoria Lee, teacher Michael Wessner and Principal Gary Hoffman.
From DeMasi were students Raylyn Ambrosio, Rohana Ananth, Stephen Chua, Maria Ibrahim, Dana Kerber, Robin Piotrowski and Arnav Sethi. Sethi was selected as first chair cellist, the highest-ranking musician for the instrument. Also cited were teachers Sara Smith and Kenneth Lightfoot, as well as Principal Beverly Green.
Evesham school Superintendent Dr. Justin Smith commended the musicians on their performance and achievement as they received a certificate of recognition from the board. He also cited Charlotte Dombrowski, a seventh grader at Marlton middle, for designing the Cooper Levenson 2023 holiday card.
Each year since 2008, the law firm – which also serves as the board of education’s solicitor – has invited area school children to submit designs for its holiday cards.
“The holiday card contest is just one of the elements of our efforts to show support to the community, children, the arts, and schools,” noted associate Kasi Gifford of Cooper Levenson. “(The contest also) helps us raise awareness for our chosen charity, ‘Let Us Eat, Please.'”
“Let Us Eat, Please” was founded by James L. Cooper, founding partner of the law firm, when he learned from his daughter, a teacher, about New Jersey children who regularly attended school hungry.
“(The nonprofit) helps ensure that local children who depend on school meals get enough to eat during the summer, as well as when schools aren’t in session,” Gifford explained.
This year, the firm chose six card designs from hundreds of entries before ultimately selecting Dombrowski’s. In addition to plaques, the firm awarded her a $50 gift certificate. Dombrowski’s teacher, Kate Gormley, got a $100 gift certificate to purchase art supplies for her class.
“I just want to thank you for supporting the arts,” Gifford tole Dombrowski. “Since I’ve been working here, (this district) has always had winners (in the contest). You all truly submit such great pieces and we really appreciate it.
“I’d be remiss not to add parenthetically that this is the ninth year in a row that a student of Ms. Gormley has won this contest,” Smith related. “It’s an amazing accomplishment.”
The next board meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Feb. 29, at DeMasi Middle School.
