Longtime Rumson Resident Joan Sanders Dies at 88

Longtime Rumson resident Joan Sanders died on Tuesday, June 17, surrounded by family at home. She was 88 years old.

Joan grew up in Windsor Locks, CT. She graduated Cum Laude from the College of New Rochelle in 1948 with a degree in Social Studies and English. She received a masters of arts degree in Sociology from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1950.

Following graduate school, Joan worked as research assistant to the Chief Economist of the American Bankers Association in New York.

She was married for 61 years to her beloved husband, Robert James Sanders Jr. who predeceased her in 2012.

Joan is survived by: her six children, Mary and husband David Jones, Omaha, NE; Joanie Sanders, Rumson; Robert J. Sanders III and wife Joan Throckmorton Sanders, Oceanport; Michael Sanders, Worthington, MA; Catherine and husband Daniel Hibbert of Woodbine; and Maura Sanders, Metuchen; her sister, Mary Hammond, Wolfeboro, NH; her brother, Daniel Kervick, Vero Beach, FL; six grandchildren, Colleen, Mary Catherine, Caitrin, Norah, Ryan and Margaret; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, June 21 at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad St., Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 22 at the Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road, Fair Haven.

Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Embrace Kids Foundation (www.embracekids.org), 121 Somerset St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901.

— Obituary, courtesy of Thompson Memorial Home

RFH Class of 2015: Awards, Scholarships to More Than 80

The Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Class of 2015 is graduating Friday night, and not without many of its members first recognized for special achievements

More than 80 awards were given out at the RFH Annual Awards Program on June 8, including valedictorian recognition, departmental achievement, student life, and honorary awards as well as scholarships.

RFH Principal Dr. Tracy Handerhan presented the Valedictorian Achievement Award to Alexandra Siwulec, who also received the American Association of University Women 2015 Book, Catalyst STEM, Holy Cross Church Scholarship, U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence and Superintendent’s awards.

Siwulec will be attending the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, where she will major in biophysics and minor in Latin as part of the College of Arts and Sciences and Vagelos Molecular Life Sciences Program.

At RFH, Alexandra’s extracurricular activities include: co-founder and co-president of Global Women Empowerment Club, president of Paws and Claws, chairman of the Gender Issues Committee of the Social Justice Club, and junior board member for Change a Life Uganda. She is an accomplished pianist, having participated in the Golden Key Music Festivals in Vienna and New York City as well as the annual Monster Concert at Brookdale Community College.

Some of the highlighted awards presented to RFH seniors were:

• Alyson M. Raywood Scholarship — Erin Blewett

A 2013 RFH graduate, Alyson M. Raywood completed her first year at St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia before passing, after a  courageous two-year battle with cancer, on October 14, 2014 at the age of 19.

The Alyson M. Raywood Scholarship was created to honor an individual who has suffered a tragedy but continues to fight on while maintaining a positive outlook. The scholarship was presented to Blewett by Alyson’s mother, Ro Raywood.

Class of 2009 Scholarship Award — Ashley Adler

RFH Class of 2009 graduates Stephen Noglows, Timothy Robinson, and Daniel Ryan presented this new award to Adler in honor of their late friend and classmate Robert Anthony Melita. Funds for the scholarship were raised by the First Annual Robert Melita Softball Tournament.

Robert Anthony Melita Scholarship — Abbey Weis

This scholarship is awarded to an RFH senior who, like Robert Anthony Melita, possesses the courage to stand up for what he or she believes in regardless of popular opinion and serves as an advocate for others. This year’s Robert Anthony Melita Scholarship was presented to  Weis by Robert’s sisters Lauren and Haley Melita.

Catalyst STEM Award — Russell Binaco and Alexandra Siwulec

This new award recognizes two outstanding students planning to study science, technology, engineering, or math at the post-secondary level. Dr. Tracy Handerhan presented the Catalyst STEM Award to  Binaco and Siwulec.

U.S. Army Reserve Top Future Soldier Award

This award was presented by Sargent Ethan Newago to Anthony Sciametta, who has enlisted in the Infantry Division of the U.S. Army.

American Patriot Award

This award is given to a senior who has displayed honor, courage, and commitment by taking the oath to protect and defend our country as a United States Marine. Michael Longo received this award from Sargent Pedro V. Roman.

Gold and Silver Awards were presented to RFH seniors at a breakfast held on April 17. Students from the RFH Class of 2015 amassed 58 Gold Awards and 31 Silver Awards.

A cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 4.00 at the conclusion of the seventh high school semester qualifies students for the Gold Award. A cumulative GPA of 3.67 at the conclusion of the seventh semester earns the Silver Award.

— Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School press release (edited)