Welcome readers to the 102nd issue of Mt. Olive Online

By Cheryl Conway 

Students at Tinc Road Elementary in Flanders are being schooled on community service and the importance of giving back to others.

This year, the teachers at Tinc partnered with its Parent Teachers Organization (PTO) to begin implementing community service opportunities for families.

They are calling these opportunities “Tinc Gives Back," shares First Grade Teachers Kelli White and Samantha Miller.

“This was the first year we implemented community service project opportunities for our families,” shares White and Miller in a written reply. “We are planning on offering these types of opportunities each year moving forward.” 

Its most recent service project was a family volunteer opportunity to partner with Nourish NJ to partake in their Rise and Shine Breakfast Bag program. 

Sponsored by the Tinc Road PTO, White and Miller teamed up with Guidance Counselor Lisa Barba and PTO President Nikki Ottoson, to lead this initiative.

On the evening of February 23, about 50 students in all grade levels and their parents gathered at the Tinc Road School cafeteria to participate in the breakfast bag program initiative.  

Parents supervised children as they decorated and filled 100 bags donated to the Rise and Shine Breakfast Bag program.

Each breakfast bag contained water, cereal, granola bar, clementines and milk.

Since it was a community service project, families donated the items to put in the bags that were supplied by the PTO.

Once their task was complete, Ottoson delivered the bags three days later on Monday, February 26. 

“Our Rise & Shine Breakfast Bags provide vital nutrition for local families,” as stated on the organization’s website. “Everyone deserves a great start to their day! Help the community that we serve by packing breakfast bags in your home, chock full of the stuff we all crave."

Visit  https://www.nourishnj.org/riseandshinebreakfastkits for more information as volunteers and donations are always welcome.

According to the Tinc Road school organizers, this event was surely one for the books!    

“It brought families and staff members from the Tinc Road School community together to help our neighbors,” they write. 

​There were so many highlights that really put their efforts into greater perspective.

“Seeing the students be creative and work together to decorate the bags with positive messages; watching the families interact as they completed the project,” was most certainly worth their time and effort.

“The students were excited to see first-hand the process of taking food donations and putting them together in a unique and personal way,” they shared. “They loved writing inspirational notes to include in the bag for each individual who received a breakfast bag. When all the bags were finished, the students were proud of their accomplishment.” 

The Tinc’s Give Back program initiative did not begin with the breakfast bags.

Another initiative included making ornaments and cards for seniors in November 2023. It is now planning to hold an Alex's Lemonade Stand at the end of the year family Picnic on the Playground coming up in June.

What a sweet way to end the school year for all!  

By Cheryl Conway 

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Words to the wise for those who visit the Mt. Olive Public Library and notice the new plant garden near the entranceway. Thanks to three Mt. Olive Girl Scouts, the Community Planting Project is expected to be unveiled and dedicated on Saturday, May 18.

Mt. Olive Girl Scouts Ashley Wettlaufer, Gabby Clark, and Shreya Mistry worked on the project since March to earn their Silver Badge Award. It was truly a growing experience for all.

“We have enjoyed watching these girls grow up and participate in our library volunteer program,” says Monica Powers, program coordinator & assistant Youth Services. “The troop will place a plaque at the location for all to see. It's a wonderful accomplishment.

“This added curb appeal is located in the front of the building by our large flagpole,” she describes. “So, patrons will not miss this beautiful display as they pull in to the parking lot or around the circle.”

As part of their Community Planting Project, the girls were also involved with small programs on the side targeting pollination education called Pollinator Heroes, adds Powers.

“They also worked with children K-third grade at the library and showed them the importance of plants and how the bees need them to have successful pollination,” says Powers. “They also taught them how to plant seeds and care for them as they begin to grow.”

It really was a labor of love.

“These girls worked very hard at the end of their busy school days,” says Powers. “Two nights they were here until dark and had their parents shine their headlights on for added light so they could complete the project in enough time for spring.”

As program coordinator, the Girl Scouts worked with Powers on the specifics of their project.

“The girls were responsible for making a sketch and proposing their ideas to me,” explains Powers. “I then discussed with the director, Mauro Magarelli and this wonderful project was approved. This represents community, working together and the importance of plants.

“It also adds an additional place for sitting, as the girls also placed a two to three person cement bench near the area,” adds Powers. “The upkeep is rather simple as all plants are perennial and will return each year. The girls dug out and removed layers of grass and weeds so they could put covers down along with proper soil and decorative stones.” 

Many are quite excited about their improved grounds.

“Not only does it add to the stunning landscapes the MOPL already has, but, it represents the special connection with the community and the importance of supporting our young adults and what it means to give back,” comments Powers.

“I, along with all the staff members and many patrons love the new addition to the library,” she says. “It's a pleasure to see young people of our community committed to something that goes deeper. Working with their hands and own creativity is so important and will help them in the future as they continue to grow into adults.”

Scout projects are becoming more and more popular at the library.

“We have had many scouts of all ages come to the library to complete all sorts of tasks,” says Powers. “We would like to continue to encourage them to come to the library because there are many things that could use assistance as far as blue bird boxes, landscapes and special clean ups.”

Reach out to Powers at monica.powers@mopl.org to participate or pitch ideas for consideration.

By Cheryl Conway 

Students at Tinc Road Elementary in Flanders are being schooled on community service and the importance of giving back to others.

This year, the teachers at Tinc partnered with its Parent Teachers Organization (PTO) to begin implementing community service opportunities for families.

They are calling these opportunities “Tinc Gives Back," shares First Grade Teachers Kelli White and Samantha Miller.

“This was the first year we implemented community service project opportunities for our families,” shares White and Miller in a written reply. “We are planning on offering these types of opportunities each year moving forward.” 

Its most recent service project was a family volunteer opportunity to partner with Nourish NJ to partake in their Rise and Shine Breakfast Bag program. 

Sponsored by the Tinc Road PTO, White and Miller teamed up with Guidance Counselor Lisa Barba and PTO President Nikki Ottoson, to lead this initiative. 

A local Brownie Troop got an inside view of not only its local fire company and rescue squad, but the inspiration that women can be heroic firefighters too.

On Wednesday, March 6, just two days before International Women's Day, nine members of Brownie Troop 98285 visited the Flanders Fire Co #1 and Rescue Squad for a tour of the station and to learn about fire safety.  

“Two of the three volunteers we met with were women firefighters,” says Troop Leader BethAnn Figueira.

“Mayra Garcia was my contact at the fire station who helped me make the arrangements for this visit,” explains Figueira. “Mayra, along with Eugene Terrezza and Samantha Cordileone, conducted the tour. I am so thankful for strong female role models for our girls, like Mayra and Samantha, for the girls of Flanders Troop 98285, and for our Mt. Olive Community.”

The purpose of the trip was to really give the girls a real view of their community.

“We were able to see the inside of the emergency vehicles, both an ambulance as well as fire trucks, and ask questions of the three volunteers present,” shares Figueira. “We also got to see the protective gear the firefighters wear on calls, learn about their tools and equipment, and we even got to see the jaws of life.”

Prior to the visit, the Brownie Troop learned about basic first aid and safety measures, she adds.  Then each Brownie Scout created her own personal first aid kit.

“The Brownie Scouts were able to ask questions of the volunteers,” says Figueira, who also serves on the Mt. Olive Township School District Board of Education. “Having this reinforced with true professionals was a great experience for the girls. They now know more about firefighting and safety. 

“I just asked my daughter Brooke what was the most important thing she learned from this experience and she said she did not know that our town's ambulances were also housed at the fire dept.,” adds Figueira. “Before our tour, she thought only fire trucks were kept there and she also did not know they had so many vehicles (multiple fire trucks, ambulances).”

Brownie Troop 98285 also visited the Mt. Olive Police Department on October 11, 2023, as part of earning its First Aid Badge.

It visited the fire department and first aid squad was an added bonus.

“This visit to Flanders Fire Dept. was planned just for fun,” says Figueira. “Also, to help the girls get to know their community and learn more about our community helpers and some of our local heroes. The girls in attendance did earn a Fire House Tour fun patch for this experience.”

In its third year together, the group began with two years as Daisy Scouts and are now finishing its first year as Brownies.

 All the Mt. Olive elementary schools hosted their TREP$ events on Thursday, May 9. TREP$, short for enTREPreneur$, is a project-based learning program that teaches kids in grades 5-8 how to start their own businesses. They learn the lessons in classroom, afterschool, or remote workshops, and apply them as they build their businesses. The whole school community comes out to enjoy the TREP$ Marketplace, held right at school, where the young entrepreneurs launch their businesses together. Pictured, is Councilman Chuck Aaron and Jillian Corro. 

Mayor Joe Nicastro met Brownie Troop at the Food Pantry on March 11.  Troop Leaders Danielle DeMarzo and Beth Figueira and 11 second graders in the troop visited the food pantry as an opportunity to learn more about our community and the resources available.  In preparation for the food pantry visit, the troop spoke with the food pantry to determine what items were in the highest demand.  They handed out flyers to gather food items and donations. They want to thank all of their neighbors for shopping and donating such an abundance of food.  The community really came together on this day and the girls were so excited to see the pile of donations grow throughout the day. In addition to collecting food donations, the girls used some of their own troop funds to shop for toiletries and other essentials at Dollar Tree. The girls each had a budget and had to shop within their budget to find the best items to include with the donation. At the completion of this, the girls earned their Brown Budget Builder Badge. All in all, it was a great experience and many were asking if they could volunteer their time at the Food Pantry in the future. 

Brownies pictured, from front left, are: Grace Griffin, Gabriella LaRose, Giulia Laverty, Elena Corro, Mackenzie Zockoff, Siena DeMarzo, Brooke Figueira, Mila Coulote. 

Marielaine Mammon of Mt. Olive, chairperson of the newly renamed Marielaine Mammon School of Music, Performing Arts and Music Technologies at County College of Morris (CCM) in Rnadolph, has received both national and local recognition for her longtime dedication and service to the college and the department. Mammon was celebrated on Saturday, April 13 at the conclusion of the spring musical “Carousel” in which she served as director. The musical was her 97th performance at the college.

Mammon was first presented with a prestigious national award from the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). On behalf of AACC, CCM President Dr. Anthony Iacono presented Mammon with the 2024 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty award, which was established to recognize individuals making a difference in the classroom. Mammon was among only 36 faculty, out of thousands across the nation, who were selected to receive this tremendous honor.

Mammon was also recognized by federal, state and local officials for her exemplary teaching, passion for performing arts and most importantly the impact she has made on students. She was honored with the following:

Recognition from Congresswoman Mikie Sherril entering Professor Mammon into the congressional records, presented by CCM President Dr. Anthony J. Iacono.

Resolution from the New Jersey State Legislature, presented by CCM Board of Trustees Vice Chair Paul R. Licitra.

Resolution from the Morris County Board of County Commissioners, presented by Morris County Commissioner John Krickus.

Proclamation from Mount Olive Township, in addition to declaring April 13 as “Marielaine Mammon Day” (her hometown), presented by Mount Olive Mayor Joe Nicastro and Township Councilwoman Mary Lalama.   

And finally, CCM President Dr. Anthony Iacono announced the department would be renamed the Marielaine Mammon School of Music, Performing Arts and Music Technologies. Additionally, the Black Box Theater at the college has been renamed as the Marielaine Mammon Black Box Theater.

“We are proud to rename the department to thank and honor Marielaine for the boundless energy and dedication she has provided to the college over the 47 years that she has worked here,” said Dr. Anthony Iacono, President of CCM. “She is an invaluable member of our faculty and is admired by both her colleagues and the students at this school.”

Mammon earned degrees from the College of New Jersey, Juilliard School of Music and Rutgers University studying with Eleanor Steber, Jennie Tourel and Byron Steele. She has performed internationally, giving public recitals in Korea, China, and British Columbia and presented master classes throughout the U.S. She has been a soloist in major opera and concert halls including the War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey and in New York City at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and Carnegie Hall. In the past 35 years she has performed thirty major roles in opera, operetta and musicals. At CCM Mammon serves as producer and director of opera, operetta and musical theatre productions.

Morris County’s new federal Veteran Center Community Access Point (CAP) opened May 2 at the Morris County Veteran Services Office (VSO) located at 540 West Morris Avenue in Morris Township.

Services will be provided – by appointment only- by two Veteran Affairs (VA) counselors from the federal Bloomfield Vet Center, who will be available every Thursday. To make an appointment, veterans should call the Bloomfield Vet Center at 973-748-0980.

“Morris County can host this new Veteran Affairs service point because we've recently doubled the space for our veteran services,” said Morris County Commissioner John Krickus, a lifelong county resident and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

A CAP is a satellite location of the VA, typically established in donated spaces in conjunction with community organizations to provide readjustment counseling services to eligible veterans, service members and their families. The Morris County Board of County Commissioners agreed to provide the two rooms at the Morris County Veteran Services Office to support the federal VA satellite services in the hopes the VA will locate a full-service VA Center in Northwest New Jersey.

The new access point was announced by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) during a visit by the VA Under Secretary for Health Shereef Elnahal. He was joined by U.S. Rep. Mikie Sherrill, Commissioner Krickus and a host of other federal, state and local officials. Elnahal also unveiled plans for a new Vet Center Outstation in Warren County, although no location has been determined yet for that service.

“Vet Centers provide Veterans with high-quality counseling, community engagement, and referral services in nearby and comfortable environments,” said Elnahal during his Morris County visit.

Over the past two years, Morris County has expanded its VSO facility and will again increase staffing, adding a fourth veterans service officer and an intern this year. In 2022, Morris County allocated $350,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to veteran services, and last year contributed an additional $300,000 to address the growing demand for mental health, family counseling and other veteran services.

“The Morris County Commissioners not only honor our service members on Veterans Day and Memorial Day, but also support them year-round,” said Krickus. “We thank Congresswoman Sherrill for her support of our veterans, including the $5 million (federal) grant to the County College of Morris for veteran training, as well as her and Congressman (Tom) Kean's backing of the new VA services announced today by VA Under Secretary Elnahal.”

U.S. Rep. Sherrill explained that the new Morris County CAP will start providing services one day per week and increase those visits as the demand for services grows among area veterans. Typically, CAP satellites are staffed from as little as one day per month to several times per week, depending on the level of demand.

“Addressing the needs of New Jersey’s veteran population is a priority for me as your Congresswoman,” said Sherrill “Over the past few years, expanding Vet Center services to meet the needs of Morris County veterans has become a top concern for the advocates I work with in the state and on my Veterans Advisory Board.”

VA Centers are community-based counseling centers that offer a wide range of social and psychological services, including no-cost professional counseling for eligible veterans, service members and their families. New Jersey currently has five locations: Bloomfield, Egg Harbor Township, Ewing Township, Lakewood Township and Secaucus.

The eagerly awaited Memorial Motor Madness Car Show, hailed as the largest show in our region, makes its annual return to the Mars-Wrigley Headquarters lot  in Hackettstown once again on Sunday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  Sponsored by the Hackettstown Rotary, the show often features as many as 500 cars and brings thousands of visitors to the event each year.    

This family event will include multiple exhibitor classes, including Antique cars from 1940 – 79,  Antique Trucks, Muscle Cars, Foreign Sports Cars, a special Corvette class and much more, with music by the legendary Doc South, and S.C.3. Entertainment. A variety of food vendors will also be onsite as well as several craft vendors and car related vendors.   

Admission to the event is $5 at the gate, with children under 12 admitted for free.  Note that the policy on this property is “no pets” and “no smoking”.   Gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for exhibitors and vendors.  

All proceeds from the event will go to support the over 35 local community organizations that are recipients of the Hackettstown Rotary Foundation funding, including The Joan Knechel Cancer Treatment Center at Hackettstown Medical Center, The Arc of Warren County,  local HS Scholarships, The Lord’s Food Pantry of Trinity Church, Habitat for Humanity, Alina Lodge,  Camp Merry Heart/ Easter Seals, Veterans programs, and more.  

For more information about the event, visit HackettstownRotary.org, or email info@hackettstownrotary.org.  

By Cheryl Conway

Women and children victimized by abuse have turned to Strengthen Our Sisters in Passaic County for the past 55 years, but with mounting challenges both financial and regulatory, the shelter’s mission of providing a safe sanctuary is in jeopardy.

SOS had seven houses, a day care, food pantry and thrift store but with recent hurdles was forced to close one of its main houses.  A few months ago, the final closure sale of The Cathy House in Wanaque went through forcing seven of its residents to relocate to the main house in West Milford.

“The Cathy House in Wanaque needed extensive repairs after a recent storm,” says SOS Founder and Executive Director Sandra Ramos. “There was damage that we were unable to repair over the years. We also needed the money for utilities, insurance, and repairs on other houses.” 

SOS got $250K for the sale of The Cathy House. The money was used to keep the other six houses afloat for now.

“It was used to pay down the mortgage of the other houses,” says Ramos. 

She fears the other houses are at risk.

“I started this 55 years ago and I've have been struggling to take people that no one else would take,” explains Ramos. “All monies go to directly provide the needs of the people. I don't earn a salary and even when I did it was nominal. I was a professor and much of what I receive these days comes from that. The people that make the rules live in a different reality. They can imagine how difficult it is for those who struggle for a safe place to sleep.”

Lack of money and support, as well as state laws have become a thorn in SOS’s side.

“The state is not giving us our voucher money because we don't have paid staff, and they asked that we make repairs (which were done),” says Ramos. “With the support of former Senator Gerald Cardinale, we were able to have volunteer staff that were board members. They also have a problem with the fact that we keep people for longer than 90 days, but they have nowhere else to go. Apartments are very expensive, those that have section 8 have a hard time finding places that are willing to accept it. There are also extensive waiting lists.”

Ramos has not given up and continues to seek support.

"Our dedication to serving our community knows no bounds, but we find ourselves at a crossroads," says Ramos. “Without the necessary funds to cover electricity costs, we face the difficult decision of potentially having to sell our properties. However, this raises the crucial question: Where will the individuals we currently serve, and those who will seek our assistance in the future, turn?

“I have tried to get publicity, we write grants, we received a recent $30k from 'Metallica', and other donors we received $10k and $20k,” says Ramos.

She is seeking people who would donate their time to make repairs on the remaining houses, as well as any monetary assistance to go toward utilities, and of course, any legal assistance.   

“I need a lawyer to challenge what the state is doing, which is illegal,” claims Ramos. “They say we are the only ones taking people in wheelchairs and walkers, they don't respond to our calls. 

“I have written the Governor repeatedly,” adds Ramos. “Holly Schepisi has been helpful 

but I'm still waiting for her to call me back.”

Those willing to contribute to help women and children who are abused with no place to go, can send a check to P.O. Box 1089 Hewitt, NJ 07421; or contribute to GoFundMe at  https://www.gofundme.com/manage/stop-the-shutoff-notice

Email Ramos at info@strengthenoursisters.org

SOS is a grassroots, community based, nonprofit, 177- bed shelter program serving battered/homeless women and children. Its mission is dedicated to breaking the cycle of domestic violence, poverty, and abuse by restoring balance and harmony through individual empowerment.

For the past two years, Warren County Habitat for Humanity’s (Warren County Habitat) building at 31 Belvidere Ave in Washington has operated as a successful Community Center. Many will remember the building as a simple office space with construction needed in the back, a Habitat for Humanity thrift shop, or even as the home of the Central Warren Youth Association (CWYA) for many years. In 2009, the CWYA donated the building to Warren County Habitat for Humanity with the hopes that the organization would someday continue providing services for youth. In 2022, that dream was finally realized. 

Two years and almost one thousand events later, the Warren County Habitat Community Center has grown into a lively hub bursting with activity! With an average of 62 events per month, from restorative yoga to high-energy kids’ parties and Zumba classes, Warren County Habitat is honored to carry on the traditions set in motion by the CWYA.  

Faith Tempany, organizer of the Community Center’s monthly Toddler Time, shared that “[the Community Center and Toddler Time] have definitely been a huge impact for me and the other moms, and for our kids. They’re building friendships, and it’s really sweet to watch! It’s [also] good for the parents…we’ve built friendships, we vent to each other and we know we’re not alone.” 

During the first two weeks of April, the Community Center hosted a series of events to celebrate its two-year anniversary. Beginning with free Tai-Chi/QiGong on Thursday, April 4th, members of the community focused on centering themselves and channeling positive energy. The very next day, adults and children alike spent some time unleashing their creativity with crafts and even had surprise visits from Disco Barbie and Batman! 

Two hours of free exercise classes took place that evening, beginning with a warm-up from Sandy who instructs Zumba Gold, a low-impact version of regular Zumba, and moving into an hour of regular Zumba taught by instructors Camee Lee and Marina Tasevska. After participants danced their hearts out, they cooled down with a half hour of yoga from instructor Silvia Baldwin. 

To round off the celebrations, there was a special lunchtime performance hosted by Kevin McCann and Steve Kirchuk, the organizers of the biweekly Open Mic Nights. Local bands and musicians such as Diana Dove, Fred Romano and Avoiding Foreclosure played covers and originals as Warren County music lovers spent their lunch break being serenaded. 

Warren County Habitat for Humanity is proud to serve the community of Washington Borough and beyond with programs, company and organization-run meetings and events for all ages. To book your next meeting or event at the Community Center, please fill out an interest form at warrenhabitat.org/cc. For more events at the Community Center, visit warrenhabitat.org/cc/cccalendar. To support the work Warren County Habitat for Humanity is doing in your community, visit www.warrenhabitat.org

Starting today, registration for the Fall Semester at County College of Morris (CCM) in Randolph is open and tuition will not increase. The college is pleased to announce that there is no increase in tuition for the 2024 – 2025 academic year, allowing students to pursue their education with less debt.  

Classes for the Fall 15 Week Semester begin on August 29. The college is also offering two shorter sessions that run for seven weeks each. Classes for the Early Start 7 Week begin on August 29, while the Late Start 7 Week classes begin on October 24. Students are encouraged to start their application for admission early, to provide them with time to explore the many programs offered and to help them secure the courses that best fit their schedules. 

CCM, which is one of the nation’s top ranked community colleges, offers more than 100 associate degree, certificate and professional development programs. Programs are offered in various formats to meet students’ preferences, including in-person learning on CCM’s campus, a hybrid format and a completely virtual experience. Many programs can be completed in a matter of weeks and a degree can be obtained in two years or less.  For those not seeking a degree program, CCM’s Center for Workforce Development enables students to learn cutting-edge skills and boost their marketability in an ever-changing job market. 

By not increasing tuition, CCM is honoring its commitment to providing an affordable education, enabling many students to earn a certificate, degree or gain industry education with minimal to no debt.  Students are then equipped with the education needed to excel forward in their professional journey and earn big. 

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form has been redesigned for 2024-25, creating concerns for students and families as there are potential delays in processing FAFSA data on the part of the U.S. Department of Education. In light of the delays, CCM is encouraging students to complete their FAFSA as early as possible and to anticipate a longer waiting period before the status of their financial aid eligibility is determined. Understanding that this could affect enrollment decisions for students, CCM’s Office of Financial Aid is readily available to assist students. 

CCM was ranked Best Community College in New Jersey by Best Accredited Colleges. Intelligent included the college in its list of the Top 5 Best Community Colleges in the state, as well as Best for Transfer Students in the state. Other accolades include CCM being ranked #1 in New Jersey for Best Associate Degrees and in the Top 1.8 percent of the Best Community Colleges nationwide by Intelligent. 

In addition to outstanding learning facilities, which include state-of-the-art labs and studios, CCM offers more than 50 co-curricular clubs and Div. II/III athletic programs for students to be a part of. A wide range of support services are also offered to help students succeed, including career guidance, tutoring, funding to help with childcare assistance, a food pantry and scholarships and grants to help with the cost of college.

For additional information about the Fall Semester, visit www.ccm.edu/fall-2024.  To apply for in-person, hybrid and virtual for-credit programs, visit www.ccm.edu/admissions/. To view and register for non-credit certificate and apprenticeship programs, visit www.ccm.edu/workforce/. 

County College of Morris (CCM) students, known as the CCM Data Titans, recently brought home two impressive awards from the Spring 2024 American Statistical Association (ASA) national DataFest competition. They earned first place in the Two-Year College Category and were awarded for Best Statistical Analysis. Founded in 2011, this annual event requires undergraduates to work 24/7 to find and share the meaning of data in what is becoming a popular field of discovery.

CCM congratulates team members, Hamza Alvi, of Rockaway, Favio Jasso, of Dover, David Maldonado, of Wharton, Rohan Sharma, of Mt. Olive, and Lucas Spitzer, of Succasunna, for an amazing job. The students are pursuing their Associate of Science degree in mathematics, computer science-data science option and are enrolled in the Certificate of Achievement in Data Analytics program at CCM. 

Professor Kelly Fitzpatrick, CFA, of the college’s Department of Mathematics and a Tableau Desktop Specialist, served as the faculty advisor to the team. Fitzpatrick takes the students from zero to 100 in just 15 weeks to learn data science in MAT 114, Introduction to Data Science class.

“It is impressive every semester to see how quickly students can grasp high level data science techniques using technology,” said Fitzpatrick, “and be able to perform at a high level to win national competitions.”

Each year, the ASA DataFest challenges students to analyze real-world data and make recommendations to address interesting and timely topics. The 2024 challenge was to investigate the CourseKata student data and look for discoveries to help improve student success in statistics and data science courses.

Team CCM Data Titans won Best Statistical Analysis by using box plots to detect and remove outliers and extraneous input, regression analysis, decision trees and a heat map to figure out how to improve student success. The team worked aggressively in R, Python and Tableau to perform tidy data techniques, create custom categorical fields and visualizations during the weekend in April. They presented their results in a five-minute video to the judges. Each team member will receive a $25 gift card to the college’s campus store on behalf of the Campus Life Center and also receive a complimentary ASA student membership.

CCM is a leader in the data science field and offers a for college-credit Certificate of Achievement in Data Analytics that can be completed within two semesters of study, with remote learning options through CCM’s Virtual Campus. The college also offers non-credit certificate programs in Data Analytics and Visualization through the Center for Workforce Development. Students learn a variety of programming languages such as R, Tableau, Python and SQL, to qualify to pursue immediate employment upon completion. No prior experience in statistics or computer programming is necessary.  

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the employment of data scientists will grow 35 percent by 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 17,700 openings for data scientists are projected each year, on average, over the next decade. Recognizing this high demand, Fitzpatrick applied for and received a $235,000 National Science Foundation grant to launch the program.

To learn more about CCM, visit www.ccm.edu.

Centenary University in Hackettstown has launched the Centenary University Human Performance Center, an extensive menu of programs designed to foster intellectual growth, emotional competence, and career success. Presented predominantly online, the center’s course offerings—which include coaching and mentoring, professional certificates, and degree programs—are targeted to a broad audience, from high school and college students to athletes, coaches, parents, veterans, and career professionals.  

“The new Centenary University Human Performance Center is dedicated to advancing personal growth and lifelong learning,” said Centenary University President Dr. Dale Caldwell. “We’ve assembled some of the world’s foremost experts on intellectual and emotional growth to present a comprehensive series of courses, at an affordable cost. In collaboration with the Human Performance Center, Centenary University Academic Affairs is also advancing a strategy for new degree-granting programs on the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral level. Called the Human Flourishing Continuum, these academic programs will be built on the foundation set by Centenary’s Master of Arts in Happiness Studies—the world’s first degree of its kind—directed by Dr. Tal Ben-Shahar, a respected leader in his field. So, Centenary is leading the way with comprehensive support for personal growth at all levels.” 

As part of the Human Performance Center, Centenary has signed a partnership agreement with Growth-U, a national leader in online personal development courses that maximize individual potential, enhance mental health and mindset, and foster a dynamic personal vision. Priced at $345 each, courses offered within the non-credit Short Course Learning Program at Centenary are fully online, range in length from 30 to 45 days, and are designed to be completed in just 10 to 15 minutes a day. Growth-U courses currently offered through Centenary include: 

For students and parents—College Readiness: 45 Days to Success; College Readiness for Parents: 45 Days to Success; College Success Program: 30 Days to Activate a Productive Mindset 

For athletes, coaches, parents, and supportive adults—Peak Performance Athlete: 60 Days to Fueling a Winning Mindset; Peak Performance Coaches/Parents: 60 Days to Breakthrough Performance 

For working professionals, graduates, students, and other adults—Transform U: 45 Days to Successful Habits; Mind Boosters: 30 Days to Amplifying Your Emotional State; Advanced Leadership: Six Weeks to Becoming an Outstanding Leader.