Mahwah High School Senior Carolyn Edler signed a National Letter of Intent to pole vault for the University of North Carolina – Wilmington Seahawk Track & Field Team. Carolyn is a four-time indoor state sectional pole vault champion, three time member of  state indoor pole vault relay champion team, three time indoor league (NBIAL then Patriot League) champion for pole vault,  three time indoor Bergen County Relay champion, two time outdoor state sectional pole vault champion, one time member of state indoor high jump relay champion team, one time indoor league champion for high jump and one …

Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) presented the Congressional Award to Mahwah resident Ariel Murphy on Friday. One of two 5th District residents to receive the award this year, Murphy was awarded the bronze medal based on her community service and personal development achievements.   “Ariel truly embodies the civic-minded spirit of volunteerism and dedication to self-improvement this award represents,” Garrett said after presenting the medal to Murphy. “I know Ariel’s journey to improve her community and become a better citizen is only just beginning with the receipt of this ward. I congratulate her…

A Mahwah High School senior already has a leg up on the job market competition. Sara Kern, who is set to graduate from MHS this June, already knows what she wants to study in college. “I’ve always known that I wanted to work with kids,” she said. “I can see the dedication and work that my teachers put into their jobs, and how much they love what they do. I know I want that with my career too.” Next September, Kern will begin an elementary education course of study at Goucher College in Maryland. But, she’s not waiting until then to start preparing for her career. Kern is an assistant teacher …

Shannon and Amanda Quiles are competitive skiers with Team Campgaw Race team at Campgaw Mountain in Mahwah. Even with the lack of natural snow this season, the girls have been able to practice and race with the help of snow making machines. Skiing comes naturally to these sisters, as it is a family sport. Their parents, Sheila and Dan Quiles, introduced skiing to their three daughters at a very young age. The oldest of the three, Shannon, an 11-year-old who attends Joyce Kilmer, has been skiing for seven years. Her younger sister, Amanda, an 8-year-old who goes to George Washington, has been …

Name: Brian Roth Age: 18 School: Marist College, Poughkeepsie, NY. Accomplishment: Became Eagle Scout and created a horseshoe court for the Mahwah Senior Citizen Center. Brian Roth has been in the Boy Scouts of America since second grade. Recently he became an Eagle Scout and created a project to benefit the Mahwah Community. When asked what is the appeal of scouting, Roth replied, “the preparation for real life situations and being able to help people in need whether it be community service or emergency preparedness.”   How will being part of this organization help you in the future? BR: “I …

For 18 Mahwah sixth graders, the Super Bowl came early. The team is the first ever in Mahwah Rec Football history to score an undefeated season and win its league championship game, the ‘Super Bowl.’ The team, which practiced five days a week last summer and three days a week throughout the fall, beat the rec team from RiverDell, 31-18, in the championship game played at the end of November. Until next year, Mahwah’s team will be the reigning champs of the Northern Bergen Junior Football League. According to head coach Karl Kreshpane, the players’ commitment level contributed to their …

Last year, Patch ran a feature that highlighted some great kids across Mahwah. We called them "Whiz Kids" and we ran interviews with and pictures of young people in Mahwah who were accomplishing big things. Now, we want to bring our Whiz Kids back! So, if you know a great kid who made Eagle Scout or a local team ehat took the championship, let Patch know. Mahwah Patch is seeking suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens to let the community know about …

When Patch featured Barnstable Academy singer Jenna Huggins as a Whiz Kid this February, she shared how her time at the performing arts academy in Oakland was particularly enjoyable because she had a big obstacle to overcome to get there. “I actually wear hearing aids in both ears. Since I'm a singer, people are usually pretty shocked to find out that I have hearing loss,” she said. Jenna is also a singer in the a cappella group the “Rock n’ Roll Chorus,” who performed at last year’s WinterFest tree lighting in Mahwah. Having graduated from Barnstable this month, Jenna now is looking forward …

Who recently took over the Ramapo Ridge pool? Life guards? Pirates in training? Water aerobics class? No, none of the above. It was the Mahwah High School Senior AP Physics class and they were there to test out the waters with their last class assignment. What’s the assignment, you ask? Build a boat entirely out of duct tape and cardboard in one week. Put two people in it and successfully row across a pool without sinking. The teams: 16 students in Mahwah High School’s Advanced Placement Physics class. Four students were on each team. The Location: Ramapo Ridge Pool in Mahwah. A.P Physics …

Mahwah resident Tim Malone, a 17-year-old junior at Paramus Catholic High School, and his family have a good reason to be excited for this weekend’s Relay for Life fundraiser at his school. “On January 7, 2010 I received the news that I had Hodgkin's Lymphoma Stage 3B. I left school for treatment, and had the arduous task of completing my sophomore year of high school at home,” Tim explains on his Relay page. “Thank God, I have beaten the disease and am now once again a full time Junior!” Tim and his entire family have taken his recovery as a sign that they should give back to the community …

Three Joyce Kilmer fourth-graders earned first place in a “Battle of the Books” competition with students from Dumont and River Vale schools. Gifted and talented students Lauren Fisher, Kelly Lu and Annabelle Spingler made their families and school district proud by bringing home the coveted first place distinction. According to Robin Canetti, JK’s media specialist who coaches the Battle team, “the ‘Battle of the Books’ is a reading incentive program for students in grades 3-12. Students come together to answer trivia questions, demonstrating their abilities and testing their knowledge of the…

Brittney Ellyn Hunter, a Mahwah resident and recent grad of Penn State, will begin her career path this summer. The landscape contracting design/building major with a minor in horticulture will be working with R&S Landscaping in Midland Park. “I look forward to learning from the professionals at R&S Landscaping and am grateful for the opportunity,” Brittney said. According to a release sent out by R&S, Brittney has been well-prepared for the opportunity. During her time in school, she was secretary of The Penn State Horticulture Club and was a member of The Penn State Horticulture Show …

According to her proud parents John and Debi, their daughter Erin Rianna Flanagan is a Whiz Kid who has been overcoming obstacles her entire life. The four-year-old was born prematurely, and as a result faced physical, developmental, and social challenges.  “Since 18 months of age she started receiving therapeutic services through the State: speech, occupational, developmental and physical,” her parents explained. Moving from Mahwah, where the couple lived for years, Erin was classified as “pre-school disabled” in the Little Ferry Public School District. “One and a half years later, I'm …

Two Mahwah girl scouts going for their Silver Award by hosting a fundraiser this weekend. Troopmates Rebecca Malz and Gabrielle Gneiding will be collecting items this Saturday, May 21, from 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. in the gym of Mahwah High School to benefit Shelter Our Sisters. The group, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year provides support to victims of domestic abuse. Residents can help by dropping off the following items at MHS this Saturday: Vacuums – NEW OR VERY GOOD CONDITION Pillows - NEW Twin size sheets- NEW  Twin size blankets – GOOD CONDITION or NEW  Bath towels, hand towels, and…

Instead of relaxing this summer, MHS sophomore Hannah Remo has decided to take the time off from school to give back. Remo will be heading to Ghana, Africa to volunteer with Projects Abroad, an organization that provides assistance to needy children across the world. Since Projects Abroad launched in1992,  "more than 35,000 volunteers have contributed to thousands of service initiatives throughout the world," according to the organization's website. “I will be working in an orphanage for a month and will be completely immersed in a culture so different than our own,” Remo said. Remo will help…

Whiz Kid's Name: Mariel Rondinelli, Brianna Spencer, Dante D’Agostaro and Mahan Garg - the President, VP, Secretary and Treasurer of the Ramapo Ridge Student Council Whiz Kids’ Grades: Seventh (boys) and Eighth (girls) Whiz Kid's School: Ramapo Ridge Middle School Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: The Student Council donated $1500 to UNICEF to benefit relief efforts in Japan  Four Ramapo Ridge students led the school’s student council to raise $1500 to benefit UNICEF relief efforts in Japan. “We always do so much within our school and community, so we thought, ‘why not go outside of that to help …

Name: Katherine Kohler School: St. Paul Interparochial School Grade: 6 Whiz Kid Accomplishment:  Katherine is performing in the St. Paul Interparochial School Play, Annie. The show follows the story of an orphan girl who finds a home with an unlikely father figure. Katherine is also a Junior Girl Scout, accomplished pianist, avid Skiier, and snowboarder, painter and finds time to play on a roller hockey team all while maintaining great grades. When does Annie run and what time? KK: “May 5th-May 7th Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:00 PM.” Where is the performance? KK: “Don Bosco High …

Whiz Kid's Name: Sarah Moyer Whiz Kid's Age: 17 Whiz Kid's School: Mahwah High School Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Sarah is an actress, singer, actor and writer who has performed in every High School Musical production at Mahwah throughout her high school career. Acoording to her mom, Tina, "the key to her awesomeness is that she walks to the beat of her own drum and works very hard on improving and exercising her talents. She practices daily and takes vocal lessons weekly. She is always looking for new mediums and techniques for her art, continually pulling all nighters to get her work done. …

Name: Brandon Cowen Grade: 7 School: Ramapo Ridge Middle School Whiz Kid’s accomplishment: Brandon is asking for donations of used or new baseball equipment for the Pershing Field Little League and Babe Ruth Leagues in Jersey City, New Jersey, as part of the Angels in the Outfield program, founded by Ian Curry What type of baseball items are needed? BC: “Baseballs, softballs, bats, gloves, mitts, batting gloves, cleats, clothing, helmets, caps and catcher's equipment. People can also donate money or gift cards to sporting goods stores.” Why did you choose to help Angels in the Outfield …

Name: Courtney Toder Grade: 12 School: Mahwah High School Whiz Kid's accomplishment: Courtney is a Mahwah High School senior who saw an opportunity to make a difference for others by using her artistic talent to create necklaces to sell at the Gift of Life Dance Benefit. Her plans for donating to charity extend well beyond high school. How did you come up with the idea to make necklaces? CT: “The idea came to me after I heard the song ‘Jar of Hearts’ by Christina Perri for the first time. The lyrics really inspired me, and I related to the song so much, I wanted to express my feelings for the…