Tag Archives: RFH

RFH Students to Compete in Rowing Nationals

June 10, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

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.

Local Life, Schools Scene

RFH’s Charlie Volker: A Champ … Again

June 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

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!

Schools Scene

RFH Engineers in the Making

June 5, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

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!”

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Remembrance of a Friend: RFH’s Suzanne Warren

Image June 4, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Suzanne Warren, RFH Class of 1993, died in 2004. Photo/courtesy of Jenny Costello — Suzanne Warren, RFH Class of 1993, died in 2004.
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.

Arts & Entertainment, Local Life

RFH’s Talent on a Star Track at Riverfest

June 1, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

The Jake Tavill Band at Riverfest 2015 Photo/Daryl Ley — The Jake Tavill Band at Riverfest 2015
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!

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Getting All Jazzy at RFH

May 22, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

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.

Continue reading Getting All Jazzy at RFH →

Local Life

Going Retro with 2015 Basie Award Winner Julia Mosby

Image May 21, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Julia Mosby and Ben Ley after “Miracle on 34th Street” performance at RFH. Photo/Barbara 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!

Arts & Entertainment, Local Life

Break a Leg at the Basie Awards, RFH’s Julia Mosby!

May 20, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

By Elaine Van Develde

Curtain up! Light the lights! Tonight’s the night Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) senior Julia Mosby is set to hit the heights as she competes with the area’s high school talent for two Outstanding Supporting Actress wins at the Basie Awards.

With RFH up for a total of 11 awards at the annual ceremony, Mosby is the only RFH actress nominated, and in both the drama and musical branches of the Outstanding Supporting Actress category.

Rumson-Fair Haven Retrospect caught up with Mosby recently at a Rumson gathering.

Headed to Princeton in the fall, she’s a lover of the old time Broadway greats, many of whom her generation doesn’t recall. She has a great deal of respect for her craft and those who embodied stage presence and originality in characterization back in the day and it is her goal to emulate that.

She’s not a fan of any typical sound in musical voice or cookie cutter acting method.

What part would she love to play? Reno Sweeny in Anything Goes.

Mosby, for her role in RFH’s Miracle on 34th Street, is competing for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama with: Emily Esposito, Matawan Regional High School, Cocktails with Mimi; Laura Diorio, Middletown High School South, A Diamond as Big as the Ritz; Emily Mitro, Shore Regional High School, Lend Me a Tenor; Amanda Spina, St. John Vianney High School, 3 One Acts.

In the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical, Mosby, who was Frau Blucher in RFH’s Young Frankenstein is competing with: Joelle Rosen, Long Branch High School, A Chorus Line; Rachel Calvosa, Freehold High School, The Addams Family; Julia Crean, Ocean Township High School, The Addams Family; Eliana Swartz, Red Bank Regional High School, Anything Goes; Alysa Finnegan, Mater Dei Prep, Curtains.

Break a leg, Julia and all the other competitors!

Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

RFH Scores Big in Basie Award Nominations

May 18, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

It’s curtain up on the 10th Annual Basie Awards on Wednesday and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s (RFH) directors, actors, musicians and techies have already gotten a standing ovation in nominations.

Among its 11 nominations, RFH is up for Outstanding Overall Production in both the Drama and Musical categories for its Miracle on 34th Street and Young Frankenstein. In the acting categories, senior Julia Mosby also garnered nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in both the drama and musical categories for her roles in Miracle on 34th Street and Young Frankenstein.

RFH was also nominated for:

• Outstanding Set/Scenic Design in a Drama, Miracle on 34th Street, Matthew Leddin;

• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Drama, Miracle on 34th Street, Matthew Leddin;

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, Julia Mosby, Miracle on 34th Street;

• Outstanding Direction in a Drama, Suzanne Sweeney, Miracle on 34th Street;

• Outstanding Overall Production – Drama, Miracle on 34th Street, Suzanne Sweeney;

• Outstanding Set/Scenic Design in a Musical, Young Frankenstein, Matthew Leddin;

• Outstanding Lighting Design in a Musical, Young Frankenstein, Matthew Leddin;

• Outstanding Student/Adult Orchestra, Young Frankenstein, Vincent Mottern;

• Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical, Julia Mosby, Young Frankenstein;

• Outstanding Direction in a Musical, Suzanne Sweeney, Young Frankenstein;

• Outstanding Overall Musical Production, Suzanne Sweeney, Young Frankenstein.

Since 2005, the Basie Awards have served as a means to honor excellence in Monmouth County high school productions and performances.

The 2015 awards will be presented at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank on Wednesday night.

The three Count Basie Theatre Arts Impacts scholarships to be awarded to “high school seniors whose life, academic and career choice has been impacted by the arts” will also be announced at the ceremony: the Monmouth Medical Center/Barnabas Health Arts Impact Scholarship, the Monmouth County Freeholders’ Basie Scholarship for Continuing Education and the Moser-Taboada Arts Impact Scholarship.

For the full list of this year’s Basie Awards nominations, click here.

Schools Scene

RFH Wins 3rd Place in ‘Robot Challenge’

May 14, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) students recently took the NJ Coast IEEE Robot Challenge and won third place.

Seven teams, 28 students, from RFH competed in the May 2 challenge at Brookdale Community College with Team Starlords taking the third place out of 40 teams from 15 New Jersey high schools.

Continue reading RFH Wins 3rd Place in ‘Robot Challenge’ →

Local Life, Opinion

Retro Appreciation for RFH Social Studies Teacher Dewey Robinson

Image May 8, 2015 Elaine Van Develde Leave a comment

Former RFH Social Studies teacher and coach Dewey Robinson coaching track. Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot — Former RFH Social Studies teacher and coach Dewey Robinson coaching track.
Photo/RFH yearbook screenshot

By Elaine Van Develde

He was known as a very cool dude and great teacher. He was Dewey Robinson.

He taught Social Studies at RFH and he coached.

By popular demand, Dewey Robinson is our Retro Pic of the Day in ode to deceased RFH teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.

Boy, was he popular — and rightly so.

The man was just so totally cool, interesting and knowledgeable and he spread that wealth of good attitude and lessons to be learned on with finesse.

He died suddenly at 58 in 2008.

I did not have the pleasure of having Dewey Robinson as a teacher or coach (because I was always way too uncoordinated to play any sport). But I do remember him well. No RFH student could miss all that coolness in one teacher.

He just had a profound look of compassion in his eyes at all times — an empathetic one. He cared and it showed. He had a real relatable demeanor. Dewey Robinson had no trouble connecting with anyone. You didn’t have to know him to know that.

The evidence was always there, in the students he taught and coached, passing a bit of himself on to them always.

Dewey’s mom, Jeanetter Crowell, died not too long ago, him having pre-deceased her, regrettably.

She, too, was remembered for her sweetness and compassion.

“What a great teacher Dewey was and there is always a strong and wonderful woman behind every great and wonderful man,” Tamera Partington Dinklage said on the Fair Haven Facebook page when the death of Dewey’s mom was announced.

RIP, Dewey Robinson. You were appreciated. Thanks for paying your coolness forward.