New Jersey - Metuchen High School Is Named Grand Prize Winning School In This Year's Charity Champions Competition, Earning An Additional $5,000 For Breaking the Chain through Education
May 15, 2012
Metuchen, NJ, May 15, 2012 - MSG Varsity and Power to Learn, along with Assemblyman Peter J. Barnes, III, Assemblyman Patrick J. Diegnan, Jr., Mayor Thomas Vahalla, and former Governor Jim Florio, recognized students at Metuchen High School as the New Jersey Grand Prize winners for their participation in Charity Champions, a program developed by Power to Learn that promotes volunteerism and encourages area high schools to raise funds for a charity of their choice. The school was presented with $5,000 to be donated to Breaking the Chain through Education. After welcoming remarks from Principal Bruce Peragallo, Assemblyman Barnes, Assemblyman Diegnan and Mayor Vahalla each spoke to students about the importance of community service. Cablevision's Vice President of Education Trent Anderson discussed the Charity Champions program and introduced Student Advisor/Breaking the Chain through Education Founder Evan Robbins who explained the school's participation. Student representatives then explained how their fundraising efforts have impacted them individually and as a group. Student participation included an African dance performance, an African song performed by the choir and a five-minute documentary. View Slide Show >> "It's clear that every student involved with the Charity Champions program was totally dedicated to making their fundraising efforts succeed and I congratulate all of you for winning the grand prize," said Assemblyman Barnes. "I also commend MSG Varsity and Power to Learn for their generosity and for making this program available to the schools in our area." Assemblyman Diegnan added, "Through programs such as Charity Champions, students develop leadership skills, learn about personal challenges they may never face and realize that they can make a difference in another person's life. I applaud Cablevision for a program that engages young people in such a positive way." Mayor Vahalla noted, "Thanks to your efforts, the lives of many young children in Ghana will be enriched with the completion of a new school and the availability of educational materials. Programs such as this enable young people here in the U.S. to help children in impoverished regions across the world. I admire all of the students here at Metuchen High School for their continued commitment to others."
| 
