In case you missed it, the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Junior Awards were presented in mid-June.
The list of awards, honoring students’ academic success, character, service and leadership qualities, and recipients is as follows …
Tag Archives: RFH
Retro RFH Graduation Venues
It’s a relatively new tradition for RFH to have its graduation at Monmouth University.
The venue is large. It’s where many of the high schools with larger graduating classes, by sheer virtue of population, have held graduations — mostly out of a need for more room. Middletown, which has two large public high schools, has held its graduations at Monmouth. And, before that, the PNC Bank Arts Center amphitheater in Holmdel. And some high schools have their graduations at Brookdale.
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)
An RFH ‘Night of the Arts’
Did you make it to Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH’s) Night of the Arts?
If not, here’s a glimpse of what you missed.
If so, take a look back!
— Photos/courtesy of RFH
Retro Principal: RFH Alum School Daze
Photo/RFH yearbook
It’s the principal of the pic — literally.
With the school year coming to a close, it seemed like a good time to take Rumson-Fair Haven area people back to days at RFH in the early 70s when the teen pictured was a student at the high school.
Take a close look. Many from the area, especially those who grew up with him, will recognize this now Rumson resident who was principal at Fair Haven’s Knollwood School for 11 years, interim principal at Sickles School and interim superintendent for a stint not all that long ago.
Yes, it’s Tom Famulary, who grew up in Fair Haven.
Here are a couple of fun retro facts about Tom:
His mom, Millie, was piano teacher to many in the area, and quite talented herself.
His father, John, was publisher of an area weekly newspaper in his retirement years (well, sorta). That paper was the Courier.
Tom was also known to be quite the piano player.
RFH Students to Compete in Rowing Nationals
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) student athletes are among several from the area who will be competing as part of the Navesink River Rowing Competitive Youth Crew in the U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals this weekend.
The students qualified for the competition, held in Sarasota, FL from June 12-14, after a bringing home gold, silver and bronze medals at the U.S. Rowing Mid-Atlantic Youth Championships in West Windsor on May 9 and 10.
That competition qualified the crew for three boats in the nationals.
Competing this weekend are: RFH students,Tom Johnston and Emily Unsinn, both of Fair Haven, and Emma Miller, of Rumson; Neil Hughes, of Oceanport; Max Kelly, of Middletown; Erik Bovino, of Brielle; and Ian Bamberger, head coach.
RFH’s Charlie Volker: A Champ … Again
As usual, the sign on the Fair Haven Fire Department’s marquee says it all — or, at least, the important part.
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School senior football star Charlie Volker has scored another athletic accomplishment. The Princeton University-bound star athlete on Wednesday became the victor of the 100-meter dash in the state at the 47th Meet of Champions at Frank Jost Field in South Plainfield.
Volker dashed the 100 meters in 10.81 seconds. His best was 10.80.
The football running back was credited with leading RFH to its big Central Jersey Group II win.
Check out the video on YouTube filmed by Angelo Clark, who did not know who Volker was as he crossed the finish line.
Congrats, Charlie!
RFH Engineers in the Making
Have you heard of the Mini Engineering Academy?
Well, six Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students participated in what has been dubbed a first at Neptune High School.
The following release from RFH gives the whole scoop on the event:
RFH freshmen Reed DiCenso, Aidan Eustace, Jack Rallo, Matthew Ramirez, Chris Steinhacker, and Tyler Whetzel attended evening sessions that ran from Wednesday, February 25 through Wednesday, April 22.
Sponsored by the Neptune High School JumpStart Engineering Academy and IEEE, the inaugural program covered topics including Aerospace Engineering, Designing Green Buildings, Aviation, Electrical Engineering, Power Grids, and the Fluid Dynamics of Surfboard Design.
“For a first-year program, we felt that they did a great job,” said Jack Rallo. “The program covered a lot of different aspects of the science of engineering,”
“All of the presentations and activities were great in different ways,” said Tyler Whetzel. “We were able to see which aspects of engineering we valued the most.”
Highlights of the program for the RFH group, all aspiring engineers, included working in teams to build hydrogen-powered cars; visiting and learning about the “green” elementary school located in Neptune; exploring all aspects of solar cells; and using software to measure the aerodynamic qualities of a surfboard design.
RFH Science Supervisor Sharon Bryant learned of the Mini Engineering Academy during a County Supervisors’ Meeting and asked the RFH Science Teachers to inform their students.
“I am so proud of these students for taking the time to participate in the Mini Engineering Academy — they built critical thinking skills and gained engineering experience, both of which are vital in future science,” said Bryant. “The lesson of trying new ideas – and sometimes failing — so growth and improvement can occur in future attempts is an important one for these students to carry forward in their academics and in life.
“I hope they will be able to participate in this program again next year and use their new knowledge to create, invent, and learn even more!”
Retro Remembrance of a Friend: RFH’s Suzanne Warren
Photo/courtesy of Jenny Costello
By Elaine Van Develde
There’s nothing quite like having a friend to take the journey from childhood through adulthood with you.
It’s cherished time. And when the journey ends for one, it leaves the other to carry on with a weary, but enriched heart, for having had that time, and many milestones in between, with that person.
That friend for at least one Fair Havenite was Suzanne Warren (Cavigliano), honored in our Retro Pic of the Day.
Warren, a Class of 1993 RFH grad, who died 11 years ago, on June 4, 2004, is remembered by her forever friend Jenny (Jones) Costello, as “smart (so smart), funny and always the best dressed.”
Suzanne grew up on Briarwood Road, after coming from Indiana to live in Fair Haven in the third grade. She ended up becoming a social worker, yet, Costello said, cheated by death from being able to realize her full potential.
While her journey through adulthood was cut short, her friends still carry her spirit and many memories with them.
It’s a light, sweet load to tote on the rest of a friend’s journey.
RIP, Suzanne. You are remembered. Cherished.
Share your memories of Suzanne.
RFH’s Talent on a Star Track at Riverfest
Photo/Daryl Ley
Photo/Daryl Ley
Some Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) stars are born — again.
A few RFH alumni and present students, mixed with Middletown students — all together in the blues/soul/rock Jake Tavill Band — won the Riverfest Musicians on a Mission Battle of the Bands at the annual riverfront event in Red Bank on Friday night.
“I am beyond the moon right now!!” said Rumsonite Jake Tavill on his Facebook page. “We won the Riverfest Musicians on a Mission Battle of the Bands!!!!!! Thank you to everyone who came, everyone who cheered, the judges, all the bands that played, Musicians On A Mission, Brenda Wirth, Riverfest, the crew and techs, the sponsors, and my amazing band members. This wouldn’t have been possible without all of you!!! Thank you!!! I am truly grateful.”
The band is comprised of RFH alum Ben Ley, RFH senior, actress and fiddler Julia Mosby, Middletown High School South student Nick Ryan, Tavill, Middletown High School North senior Anthony Flora, guitarist/vocalist Christian Ace, of Manasquan Music Dance Arts, and Casey O’Connell.
Congrats, Jake Tavill Band!
Getting All Jazzy at RFH
The following is an edited press release from Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School:
If you didn’t get a chance to attend, now’s the time to find out how hard work, creativity, and abundant talent were driving forces behind the performances at the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Jazz Combo and Vocal Concert.
A variety of musical selections were presented by RFH jazz musicians and vocalists on the evening of May 18 in the high school’s auditorium.
Going Retro with 2015 Basie Award Winner Julia Mosby
She won!
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School senior Julia Mosby on Wednesday night won as Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama at the 10th Annual Basie Awards.
The awards celebrate the talent of Monmouth County high school students in various categories.
RFH was nominated for a total of 11 awards. Mosby was nominated for two: Outstanding Supporting Actress in both the Drama and Musical categories.
She won for her supporting role in the high school’s fall production of Miracle on 34th Street.
So, in our Retro Pic of the Day, we take you back to the closing day performance of that show with a photo of Mosby and friend Ben Ley, also an RFH grad, after the final performance.
Congrats, Julia!
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