FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 13, 2008

CONTACT: Sebastian D’Elia, 908-527-4419
Tina Casey, 908-527-4346
 

UNION COUNTY VO-TECH SCHOOLS WIN NATIONAL AWARD FOR FUNDRAISING
Students raise $80,000 for cancer research

Students from the Union County Magnet High School and the Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences received a national award from the American Cancer Society, for achieving the highest per capita amount of any high schools in the 2008 Relay for Life fundraiser. The students raised $80,000 for cancer research. Pictured from left to right: Deirdre McGuinness of the American Cancer Society, MHS student Jean Ruggiero of Mountainside, MHS student Jessica Feldman of Scotch Plains, Union County Vocational Technical School’s Board of Education President Mr. Charles Mancuso, MHS student Dylan L. of Kenilworth, MHS student Eliann Shadmi of Scotch Plains, Community Service Club advisor Mrs. Debra LeBrun, and MHS Principal Ms. Gwen Seneschal
Students from the Union County Magnet High School and the Union County Academy for Allied Health Sciences received a national award from the American Cancer Society, for achieving the highest per capita amount of any high schools in the 2008 Relay for Life fundraiser. The students raised $80,000 for cancer research. Pictured from left to right: Deirdre McGuinness of the American Cancer Society, MHS student Jean Ruggiero of Mountainside, MHS student Jessica Feldman of Scotch Plains, Union County Vocational Technical School’s Board of Education President Mr. Charles Mancuso, MHS student Dylan L. of Kenilworth, MHS student Eliann Shadmi of Scotch Plains, Community Service Club advisor Mrs. Debra LeBrun, and MHS Principal Ms. Gwen Seneschal.

Elizabeth, NJ – The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to announce that the Magnet High School and The Academy for Allied Health have been awarded the 2008 Highest Per Capita Fundraising Award by the American Cancer Society, for their Relay for Life event.

The two high schools are part of the Union County Vo-Tech school system. They raised the most money per participant, out of all the high schools in the nation involved in the fundraiser.

“This award is especially meaningful because it shows that our Vo-Tech students are committed to a high level of civic engagement, as well as to academic excellence,” said Freeholder Chairman Angel G. Estrada. “These are two relatively new schools, and the students have forged a strong community spirit in just a few short years.”

An overwhelming majority - approximately 70% - of the student body in the two schools participated in Relay for Life, which raised approximately $80,000.

“We at the Union County Vocational-Technical School District are extraordinarily proud of the achievements of these wonderful young people,” said Dr. Thomas J. Bistocchi, District Superintendent. “Their commitment to community service is exemplary.”

In Relay for Life, teams camp out overnight and taking turns walking or running around a track or path continuously for up to 24 hours, to raise money for cancer research.

The Academy for Allied Health Sciences was founded in 2005. Its first class will graduate in June 2009. Magnet High School, founded in 1997, is winner of the Governor’s School of Excellence Award. It is a designated New Jersey Star School, and a National Blue Ribbon School.

The Union County Vo-Tech schools include UC Tech, which offers traditional vocational-technical programs; the Academy for Information Technology; and the new Academy for Performing Arts, which provides intensive study in dance and theatre arts with a combined senior high/freshman college year at Kean University.

For more information about Relay for Life contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. Information about the Union County Vo-Tech schools is available at www.ucvts.tec.nj.us, or call 908-889-8288.