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Schools

Barnegat Students Recognized for Volunteer Work Following Sandy, And Barnegat Bay Blitz

Several students helped clean up the Beach Haven West area earlier this month, after Sandy.

Several Barnegat School District students were recognized at the Board of Education Meeting this week for their participation in various Sandy-related clean up efforts, and for participating in other clean-up efforts throughout the area, including the “Barnegat Bay Blitz” that was held on October 18.

On Saturday, November 10, members of Barnegat Student Government, PROS, and Michael Hemenway participated in the clean-up/relief efforts in Beach Haven West following Sandy, according to Board officials. 

Hemenway, who attended the meeting along with his students, noted that several Barnegat staff members live in Beach Haven West, and, he said, the students were "shocked" to see the devastation. Each student was given an assignment, and ventured out to three different homes. 

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"Our students met members of an electric company from Washington and members of the Louisiana State Police who took time to talk to our students," according to Superintendent Karen Wood. "They ate lunch that was provided for them at the community center, and again they were able to see the goodwill of people, as all of the food was donated to the relief workers. They ended around 3:30 pm, after putting in a full day of work."

Wood then recognized Hemenway and his students with certificates, including: 

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  • Morgan Mitchell
  • Keith Lee
  • Anthony Smith
  • Samantha Morris
  • Samantha DeCapua
  • Anna Prestera
  • Justin Weiss
  • Kyle Buaya
  • Courtney Miller

The Board also recognized Rob Rawley and Greg Stevens, who Wood said, "worked untiringly for more than 30 hours and with good humor to help the displaced community find safety and a reason to smile during the most trying of times."

Wood also noted that the district has initiated a “Barnegat Cupboard” for those who would like to donate goods and monetary assistance to those displaced by Hurricane Sandy. Anyone wishing to donate should contact Nick Giovanni at (732) 575-6265 for more information on how to help. 

Discussing the Barnegat Bay Blitz, board officials noted this event is a Department of Environmental Protection-sponsored event, which has volunteers from the surrounding community help clean up the Barnegat Bay coastal area. The participating students in that clean-up included:

  • William Leamon
  • Cole DeAngelo
  • Travis Downs
  • Brandon Spain
  • Justin Kovacs
  • Jake Strout
  • James Pearce
  • Cullen Howard
  • Zack Walters
  • Dan Yurowski
  • and Billy LeCain

With the help of two members of the DEP and DEP coordinator Lauren Kelso, the students collected litter (plastic bottles, cans, plastic bags, etc.) at multiple locations adjacent to the Barnegat Bay and Edwin B. Forsythe Marine Refuge.

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