NJASC REVIEW ISSUE 3 JANUARY 2019 New Jersey B.L.O.O.M.S 2018 NJASC REVIEW ISSUE 3 JANUARY 2019 Table of Contents Page 2: Welcome, 2019! Page 3: Looking Back at 2018! Pages 4-5: 2019 Presidential Candidates Page 6: 2019 Slate of Candidates Page 7: State Charity Pages 8-9: Presidential Farewell Page 10: Farewell & Upcoming Events
Page 2 New Year, New Review, New Jersey! Happy New Year, New Jersey! NJASC welcomes you back for another exciting year. We are so enthusiastic for all the leadership programs and events we have planned for the student leaders of New Jersey! We hope you are ready to continue to BLOOM throughout 2019 and make an impact on your school and community. 2019 is going to be an astonishing year! If you are looking for more ways to get involved with NJASC view our state charity, One Simple Wish. There you can find countless projects to become involved with to help a child in need. Throughout 2019 NJASC encourages you to become an even stronger leader. Attend our Leadership Training Conference in the summer of 2019 to expand on your leadership skills, and to make friendships that will last a lifetime. As the 2018 Executive Board s term comes to an end, we would like to thank the student leaders of New Jersey for an amazing year. We loved watching you BLOOM into stronger leaders and make an impact on the world. Thank you for the shared experiences and memories that will last a lifetime! 2018 was amazing, but let s make
2019 even better! We wish the 2019 NJASC Executive Board the best! Thank you, New Jersey! Looking Back at 2018! Page 3
Page 4 2019 Presidential Candidates Alexa MacIsaac Phillipsburg High School Hello, New Jersey! I am Alexa MacIsaac, a sophomore from Phillipsburg High School. I consider it a great honor to be running for President of the NJASC. Since the sixth grade, I have had the greatest respect for the board members of the NJASC and the organization itself. Therefore, it has always been a goal of mine to become an officer and stand as a role model for others. This year, while attending LTC Advanced, I further established my public speaking, team-working, and time management skills that I had previously acquired at the conference as a middle level delegate. I also had the privilege to meet our current state officers face-to-face. Their enthusiasm for the NJASC matched mine and assured me that I definitely wanted to be a part of the organization. To prepare myself for such an esteemed position, I have held many leadership roles in my middle and high school student councils. As part of the Phillipsburg High School Student Council, I hold two positions on the board: PTA Liaison and assistant Board of Education Representative. Being a board member allows me to give back to my school and my community. This year, I have lead multiple tours of our new school to alumni and freshman, actively participated in our first annual trunk-ortreat, and organized our school s winter gala. I have also attended other leadership camps through the Envision program. As an alumni of their STEM program, I was most recently invited to their Presidential Inauguration Leadership Summit. While attending, I better developed my independent thinking and learned the meaning of being a true leader. Outside of student council, I dedicate my time to the stage and my studies. Since I was around the age of nine, I have had a love of performing. Spending a considerable amount of time on stage has exposed me to many lessons about communication. It has also allowed me to become very comfortable with public speaking. In the spring, I work backstage at our town s middle school to run their musical. Working with the younger kids at the school has taught me how to be dependable. Throughout my freshman year, I achieved high honor roll every semester and placed in the top 10 of my class. This accomplishment is a reflection of my work ethic. If elected by you, I plan on applying all of these skills to efficiently and effectively run the NJASC. I am extremely grateful to be running for President of the NJASC. It is an honor and a privilege to have this opportunity. If elected, I can assure you I will preserve the traditions and esteem of the
Page 5 NJASC. I am beyond excited to work diligently with the board members and your schools to make 2019 the most successful year New Jersey has seen yet! 2019 Presidential Candidates Benett Tilves Mount Olive High School Hello, New Jersey! I am Benett Tilves, a junior at Mount Olive High School. I am honored to have been chosen to run for President of the NJASC. Since my first winter conference, the NJASC has made such a lasting impact on me. It was there that I learned about the amazing things the NJASC does for the state, and from that moment I knew I wanted to be part of this amazing organization. Being a part of student council has never felt like a job to me. At Mount Olive, I have served as the president of my class for 3 years and each year is more fun and productive than the last! I currently hold the position of Secretary of S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions). Student council has been one of the few constants in my life since I started in sixth grade. It is a group of students that I can always fall back on whenever I need them, and a group that genuinely wants to better the school. Being a part of the high school lacrosse and swim teams have given me the opportunity to work together as a team with one purpose. Sports have helped me build character and relationships with people who I otherwise probably would not know. In addition, I ve taught myself how to keep bees and raise chickens. This mini farm has taught me so much throughout the years about trial and error and persistence. These lessons gave me the confidence to know that anything I put my mind to can be achieved, but only by working hard. I utilize all the skills I ve learned from LTC and put them into action on the field, in my classes, and during club activities. These skills are vital in the way I lead my peers. Through LTC, I have become friends with so many different people from so many walks of life. That is what makes the NJASC so special. LTC brings together all types of people to become better leaders. In just four short days my whole outlook on leadership was changed. This program empowers students to become the best versions of themselves. If elected, a main goal of mine would be to expand LTC so even more people can experience this amazing four-day adventure. I am humbled to be considered for this position in the NJASC. Representing this group of amazing students would be
Page 6 an honor like no other. With your support, I hope to enhance the NJASC and bring about a new standard of excellence. President v Alexa MacIsaac: Mount Olive High School v Benett Tilves: Phillipsburg High School Vice President v Rian DeVera: West Orange High School Secretary v Johanny Solano: Franklin High School Treasurer 2019 State Office Candidates v Dylan Hedler: Bayonne High School v Austin Ruth: Parsippany Hills High School Executive Members v Alexander Bjornson: Kinnelon High School v Carlee Fisco: Warren Hills Regional High School v Rohan Patel: West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North State Board of Education Student Representative v Sahil Ganatra: South Brunswick High School Middle Level Representative v Jordan Doty: Pearl R. Miller Middle School v Ria Jain: Brooklawn Middle School
Page 7 v Emily Regaldo: Central Middle School v Sam Stinson: Stewartsville Middle School v Sydney White: Oxford Central Middle School 2018-2019 State Charity Every year, nearly 500,000 children are impacted by abuse, neglect and trauma and spend time in our nation s foster care system. This can be a lonely, and confusing time for young children. One Simple Wish believes that every child deserves love, hope and joy. They empower people to make a difference in the lives of children impacted by abuse, neglect and foster care in simple, yet meaningful ways. Through their innovative wish-granting platform, you can send some love to a child and grant wishes to a child who needs it. When wishes come true kids not only have a chance to just be kids, but they can also make important connections, experience new things and discover their passion! Support our state charity buy donating to their cause and send a young child a wish. You can also donate or collect items for their Loved Bags. These bags are given to children entering the foster care system or moving placements. The bags are filled with trauma informed items like squishes, sketch books, journals, silly pens, and colored pencils. For more information on how you can create a difference, please visit https://www.onesimplewish.org/site/index One Simple Wish 1977 North Olden Ave, #292 Trenton, NJ 08618 General Information: (609) 883-8484 Media Inquiries & Speaker Requests: (609) 610-8625 info@onesimplewish.org
Page 8 2019 Presidential Farewell To the Incredible Student Leaders of New Jersey, This past year has been the experience of a lifetime. The State Officers and I cannot thank you all enough for giving us this amazing opportunity. It has been a wonderful year full of excitement, growth, success, friendships, and fun. Over the past twelve months, we have made it our mission to help the students of New Jersey BLOOM into outstanding leaders. On behalf of all of the State Officers, I can assure you that we have seen the students of New Jersey BLOOM into incredible leaders. Not only have you all BLOOMed as leaders but we, your State Officers, have also BLOOMed into outstanding leaders. I am beyond grateful for having the opportunity to work with the incredible group of people on the State Board. I am thankful for each and every one of them for making this year so amazing and successful. From the first time we met I knew that there was something special between us all, and we would help the students of New Jersey BLOOM. Whether it was at Region 2 in Ocean City, NJ, the NatStuCo Conference in Minneapolis, MN, or at LTC at TCNJ, our bond grew with each other and the student leaders we encountered. It s amazing to see how students BLOOM into leaders and into themselves in just a few days. On behalf of all the State Officers, we would like to thank the Administrative Assistants. Without these amazing people, the NJASC would not be what it is today. Each and every time they impress me with their leadership skills and ability. They truly know how to get things done, and helped us immensely along our journey. We would also like to give a huge thank you to the core of the NJASC, Wendy Booth- Sitzler and Lou Miller, the Executive Directors. You both have inspired the State Officers and myself to become better leaders and inspire those around us. Without you two, the NJASC would not be what it is today. There is no two people who put more time and effort into this organization as you both do. Your passion, dedication, and care shows in all that you do. Thank you so much for all of your hard work.
It was been an honor and privilege to work with the amazing One Simple Wish. This organization brings light to children who live in darkness. They grant wishes for children in foster care and inspire them to go out in the world and conquer their dreams. From the moment we met you we fell in love with your cause. Thank you for helping children in this state BLOOM. Page 9 I would personally like to thank the faculty and administration of Holy Cross Academy and the new faculty and administration of Holy Cross Prep Academy. During my term on the NJASC Executive Board, my school had closed and opened as a new school. Thank you to those of you who started me on my journey, and thank you to those of you who have stepped in and finished this journey with me. Mr. Nolan and Mr. Torres, thank you for helping me step out of my comfort zone and helping me BLOOM into the leader I am today. Mr. Schaal, thank you for your support as you stepped into a totally new experience. I cannot thank you all enough for always supporting me and shaping me into the leader I am today. Lastly, thank you to all of you! Without you all we would not have a platform. We would not be able to share our message and help students like you all grow into leaders. Without your support of us and your support of the NJASC, this organization would not be as successful. Thank you for inspiring us to become better leaders and want to change the world. Each of you can BLOOM into beautiful flowers. Do not let the weeds take you down. BLOOM into the leader that inspires others. With Sincere Gratitude and Appreciation, Dominic Decker
Page 10 2019 Executive Board Farewell After BLOOMing throughout another successful year with NJASC the State Officers have many people they would like to thank. We would like to thank your amazing Executive Directors. Lou and Wendy, we are so grateful for everything you two do for NJASC. You gave the Executive Board an experience of a lifetime and taught us so many valuable lessons. Thank you so much for always guiding and supporting the young student leaders of New Jersey. You both have made such a positive impact on so many lives. We would also like to thank our wonderful Administrative Assistants. They put so much hard work into making sure all the NJASC events run smoothly. We have no idea what we would do without them! Another thank you to our LTC family. Thank you for giving us all an unforgettable summer and creating friendships that will last a lifetime. Lastly, Thank you to all of the passionate student leaders of New Jersey for supporting us this year, and being so involved with NJASC. We hope you all continue to BLOOM into stronger leaders! Upcoming Events Winter Convention Wednesday January 9, 2019 @ The College of New Jersey Executive Transition Meeting Monday February 4, 2019 @ Mercer County Tech. Schools Health Sciences Academy
Page 11 Advisors Conference Monday March 18, 2019 @ The College of New Jersey