MCAW Honors Assistant Teachers With Scholarships

Four graduating assistant teachers for the Morris County Arts Workshop (MCAW) were honored and given scholarships during a special Taste of Italy dinner at The Hive, the non-profit organization’s new storefront location at the Chester Springs (ShopRite) Mall in Chester. In addition to a delicious Italian dinner from Giuseppe’s Trattoria in the same Mall, all MCAW teachers were honored for their dedication to providing exceptional after-school art, music, language arts, and cultural programs to youth and seniors in Chester, Mendham and surrounding areas. The scholarship recipients are all from Chester.

One scholarship was presented to guitar teacher Tyler Chase. Chase’s love for guitar and music began through MCAW classes. He has since been in a number of bands and enjoys writing and recording music at the Original Music School in Morristown, NJ. After a successful audition, Chase was accepted at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, to study music business.

Joseph Falvo received a scholarship for his involvement in the creation of MCAW’s Robotics and Fencing Classes. Falvo's passion for science and engineering really showed with the creation of a hover craft from materials he found in his parent’s garage for the Science Fair at Black River Middle School and the 8th grade Team’s first national presence in the Destination Imagination Program in 2009. This year, he mentored the BRMS Destination Imagination Team, which took first place in New Jersey and brought home its first national award for Morris County. In addition to creating his own firm, Joebotics, which provides individual advanced training for students interested in robotics, Falvo has also excelled in Fencing and the IB Program at West Morris Mendham High School (WMMHS) in Mendham. He will attend Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, to study engineering.

Libby Oehrlein turned her love for dance into a teaching position at MCAW. She was honored with a scholarship for her assistance with dance, ballet and musical theatre. Oehrlein plans to attend Skidmore College in New York to major in psychology and education studies. Her aspirations are to become an elementary teacher and dance instructor.

Scholarship recipient Kyle Persau was also influential in the creation and teaching of MCAW’s Robotics and Fencing Classes. Persau designed and executed MCAW’s Lego Robotics courses. Persau has pursued his passions for science, engineering and learning. He earned his black belt in Tae Kwon Do at the early age of nine and was also an instrumental part of the award winning 2009 Destination Imagination team for BRMS. While maintaining high honors in the IB Program at WMMHS, Persau excelled in Fencing winning numerous gold and bronze level awards and being nominated as the Team Captain. He will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in upstate New York to study engineering.

“We are so proud of the achievements of these exceptional teachers,” said MCAW Founder and Director Jane Shatz. “We will miss them, but know they will truly succeed in all that they do. I thank them for nurturing our students through their own passions.”

A special Service Award was also presented to William Sandoval for his compassion and skills in constructing numerous components of The Hive and the Art in Public Spaces displays at the Chester Springs (ShopRite) Mall in Chester.

Robotics, Legos and Guitar Lessons are just some of the courses offered through MCAW especially during its Summer Camp Programs. Registration is open online at www.mcartsworkshop.com. The fun filled six weeks begin July 1 and run through August 16, 2103. Camps are hosted in Mendham at Brookside and new this year – Chester camps will be held at The Hive.

In addition, MCAW this summer, in conjunction with Chester Borough and Chester Recreation, is proud to support the Second Annual Chester Family Film Festival (CFFF) with Chester resident and comedian Jim Breuer, who created the event last year. “Jim is once again putting together an exciting, free family event at the Gazebo on Main Street in Chester on August 31, 2013,” explains Shatz. “We are inviting all residents to join the fun and submit those hilarious family friendly videos which will be judged and awards given out to the funniest and most creative.”  For information on the CFFF, please visit www.mcartsworkshop.com or www.chestertowship.org.

MCAW is continually seeking help to support these events as well as its many workshops, seminars and programs including the new Open Mic Night at The Hive, the popular annual Haunted Halloween Workshop, Guest Art Displays and Lecture Series, Writing Workshops, Art in Public Spaces Initiative, its Home for the Arts building and the newly opened Hive.

Please visit www.mcartsworkshop.com to make a donation and for more details. Join the conversation on Facebook at Morris County Arts Workshop (MCAW) for the latest news or contact Director Jane Shatz at (908)531-8433.