MAYOR HONORS STATE CHAMPION SOCCER TEAM

In recognition of their outstanding season and capturing the 2023 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III Championship, Mayor Lisa Crate has proclaimed Wednesday, March 13, 2024 as Brick Memorial High School Girls Soccer Team Day in Brick Township. Mayor Crate presented the official proclamation at the March 12 Township Council meeting.

“I am proud to recognize the Mustangs on winning the State Championship this past season. This achievement was the result of all of your hard work, practice and commitment to teamwork,” said Mayor Crate. “Brick Township is proud of all of you!”

The Mustangs won the championship by defeating top-seeded Middletown South High School by a score of 2-1 on November 6. This was the seventh sectional championship in the history of the Brick Memorial High School girls soccer program.

Mayor Crate presented the proclamation to Head Coach Billy Caruso at the Council meeting. Each member of the team received a certificate of commendation.

The members of the State Champion Mustangs are Vic Hiotis, Giselle Lizardi, Lexi Caruso, Emily Cranston, Makayla Doheny, Chloe Gellici, Kylie McCullough, Ashlee Schlagenhaft, Skyler Schlagenhaft, Maggie Allen, Makayla Siciliano, Reese Keane, Mia Caruso, Gabby Hernandez, Lila Hopkins, Brooke DeAlmeida, Jordan McCullough and Sydney Mihalko.


Text of Proclamation:

 

WHEREAS, Brick Township Memorial High School has a tradition of success and championships in their various athletic programs; and

WHEREAS, one such program is the Mustangs Girls Soccer team; and

WHEREAS, this past fall, the Mustangs Girls Soccer Team had a remarkable season, accumulating a record of 15 wins, 5 losses and a tie while consistently demonstrating outstanding skill and teamwork and exemplary sportsmanship; and

WHEREAS, the Mustangs Girls Soccer Team captured the seventh sectional championship in their school’s storied history by beating the top-seeded team from Middletown High School South in the championship game; and

WHEREAS, the members of the State Champion Mustangs Girls Soccer Team are Vic Hiotis, Giselle Lizardi, Lexi Caruso, Emily Cranston, Makayla Doheny, Chloe Gellici, Kylie McCullough, Ashlee Schlagenhaft, Skyler Schlagenhaft, Maggie Allen, Makayla Siciliano, Reese Keane, Mia Caruso, Gabby Hernandez, Lila Hopkins, Brooke DeAlmeida, Jordan McCullough and Sydney Mihalko; and

WHEREAS, the Mustangs were most ably led this season by Head Coach Billy Caruso, Assistant Coaches John Prani, Stephanie Butala, Crystal Badders, Jess Fuccello, Rich Kijak, Patrick Schlagenhaft and Gunther Ulbrich.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LISA CRATE, Mayor of the Township of Brick, in the County of Ocean, in the State of New Jersey, in honor of their outstanding season during which they captured the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III State Championship, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, March 13, 2024 to be Brick Memorial High School Girls Soccer Team Day in the Township of Brick and I call upon all residents to join me in recognizing and congratulating the Brick Memorial High School Girls Soccer Team for their remarkable achievement and wish them continued success in their future endeavors.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereby affix my signature on the twenty-sixth day of February 2024.

Mayor Lisa Crate

SPORT SATURDAY PROGRAM FOR YOUNG ATHLETES

The Brick Municipal Alliance Coalition (BMAC) is proud to once again offer the Sport Saturday program for township boys and girls ages 9 through 12.  The program offers young athletes 90-minute training sessions designed to help them achieve their personal best physically, mentally and emotionally in both sports and life.

Sport Saturday sessions are available every Saturday from March 16 through June 15 at the Brick Civic Plaza.  Sessions are at either 8:30am or 10:30am.  The program is free for participants.  Parents can register their children for one or more sessions.  There is a limit of 30 children at each session.

Each Sport Saturday training session is 90 minutes. Sport Saturday provides enhancement of general fitness levels, sports specific training, and the importance of leadership qualities, problem solving and character development designed to help youth increase self-esteem, awareness and resiliency as substance use prevention strategies.

“This program has been an incredible asset to families throughout Brick,” said Mayor Lisa Crate.  “Hundreds of children have participated over the years and each child has come away with the skills that help them both on the field and in life. It’s fantastic that we’ve been able to continue to work with BMAC to bring this program to the youth of Brick Township.”

Trainers are provided by Mentor Academy of New Jersey and are certified physical education teachers as well as youth sports trainers.

BMAC Chair Andrea Zapcic says programs like this are important in the effort to keep our youth healthy, safe and drug-free.  “The drive towards more professionalism in youth sports has caused an increase in over-use related orthopedic injuries in children ages 12 and up, for which an opioid pain reliever may be prescribed.”

Zapcic adds that “studies show youth exposed to prescribed opioids before high school graduation have a 33% increased risk of using opioids recreationally in the years after graduation, including those with a previous unfavorable attitude toward drug use.”

Sport Saturday is funded through the BMAC grant provided by the Governor’s Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (GCADA).

Register for Sport Saturday in the Recreation Office, 270 Chambers Bridge Road, Monday through Friday, 7:30am – 4pm or online at register.communitypass.net/bricktownship. Call 732-262-1053 for more information.

MAYOR HONORS HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND

In a ceremony at the February 13, 2024 Township Council Meeting, Mayor Lisa Crate honored the Brick Township High School March Dragons for their exceptional competition season during which they captured the New Jersey State Championship.

“Winning a state championship is an incredible achievement, whether that is on a football field, a wrestling mat, a bowling alley or as a marching band. The Marching Dragons showed an extraordinary amount of dedication, commitment, discipline, skill and musicianship this past season,” said Mayor Crate. “Their achievements are a testament to that hard work and it is my honor to recognize them for their well-deserved and well-earned success.”

Mayor Crate proclaimed Thursday, February 15, 2024 as Brick Township High School Marching Dragons Day in the Township of Brick and presented an official proclamation to Band Director Christian Negri at the meeting.

This past season, the Marching Dragons had an undefeated regular season, placing first in every competition they were in. They won the New Jersey Tournament of Bands Region 7 Championship, the New Jersey Tournament of Bands State Championship and finished second place at the Tournament of Bands Atlantic Coast Championship, earning the highest score in the school’s history.

“As a member of my high school’s color guard, I am familiar with how much practice and hard work goes into being in the marching band. I also know that I cherish each moment I spent with my friends in the band back then and the memories I made,” said Mayor Crate. “I commend each member of the Marching Dragons and wish them all continued success!”

TEXT OF PROCLAMATION

BRICK TOWNSHIP HICH SHOOL MARCHING DRAGONS DAY

February 15th 2024

WHEREAS, the Brick Township High School March Dragons is one of the most accomplished units in the State of New Jersey and had one of its most successful competition seasons ever in 2023; and

WHEREAS, under the dedicated and enthusiastic leadership of Band Director Christian Negri, the Marching Dragons had an undefeated regular season, placing first in every competition they participated in; and

WHEREAS, the Marching Dragons captured the New Jersey Tournament of Bands Region 7 Championship, the New Jersey State Championship and finished second in the TOB Atlantic Coast Championship Competition, earning the highest score in the school’s history; and

WHEREAS, these achievements were the result of an extraordinary amount of hard work, dedication and commitment as well as countless hours of practice by the exceptional members of the band; and

WHEREAS, the members of the 2023 New Jersey State Champion Marching Dragons are Riley Allen, Morgandy Allen, Shay Attiko, Jasline Avila, Daniel Burns, Colin Burns, Collin Casella, Ivan Cintron, Frankie Civitano, Christian Combs, Jason Corona, Joseph Curcio, Peter D’Esposito, Isabella Delgado, Regina Gardner, Addison Gerhard, Karlos Gordillo, Lily Graziano, Hayden Jackson, Mason Jacobs, Liam Jubak, Andrew Kaminski, Emily Kozemcheck, Marlen Martinez, Alex Martinez, Richard Matlock, Cayden Mazzarisi, Emily Moreno, Scotlan Norman, Molly O’Brien, Sarah Olski, Marco Pellosie, Jacob Rios, Karla Ritter, Lola Rubino, Nicholas San Jose, Christopher Todd, Alexa Wachendorf, Jake Ward and Mariana Wharff.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, LISA CRATE, Mayor of the Township of Brick, in the County of Ocean, in the State of New Jersey, in honor of their outstanding competition season during which they won the New Jersey State Championship, do hereby proclaim Thursday, February 15, 2024 to be Brick Township High School Marching Dragons Day in the Township of Brick and I call upon all citizens to join me in congratulating Band Director Christian Negri, the band members and all of the supporting staff and volunteers on all of their outstanding accomplishments this season.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I hereby affix my signature on the thirteenth day of February 2024.

Mayor Lisa Crate

MAYOR CRATE ANNOUNCES SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY

Mayor Lisa Crate would like to inform high school juniors and seniors in Brick Township who are planning to continue their education after high school about a scholarship opportunity offered by the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.  The League is offering three $1,000 scholarships through the Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship Competition.

“I encourage any student from Brick Township who plans on going to college or otherwise continuing their education to apply for this grant,” said Mayor Crate. “With the cost of attending college still rising, the chance to earn some money to help pay for it is worth the time it will take to fill out the application and draft a thoughtful essay.”

Applicants will be required to write an essay of approximately 500 words with the “What My Municipal Government Does Best.” Judging is based solely on the essay including originality, technical composition and appropriateness and effective articulation of theme.

“I am excited to read the application essays and learn what our young people think about how we are doing in Brick Township,” said Mayor Crate.

Students wishing to apply for the scholarship competition can download an application packet.  If you would like to request an application by email, please send an email to emoroney@bricktownship.net.

The scholarship is open to all high school juniors and seniors.  Residents who live in Brick but attend schools in other communities should return their application to Mayor Crate’s office.

A committee will select one essay from Brick Township as a semi-finalist.  That application will be forwarded and reviewed by the NJSLOM Scholarship Committee.  That committee will select 15 finalists and 3 winners.  The winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and their essay will be featured in New Jersey Municipalities Magazine.

All applications must be returned to Mayor Crate’s office by Friday, March 15, 2024.  Completed applications should be mailed to Mayor Lisa Crate, Attention: NJSLOM Scholarship, 401 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, NJ, 08723.

SENIOR DIALYSIS TRANSPORTATION SERVICE BEGINS

Mayor Lisa Crate is proud to announce the commencement of Brick Township’s Senior Dialysis Transportation service. The dialysis transportation is an expansion of the Township’s popular Senior Shuttle service and was started to ensure seniors have convenient and reliable access to essential healthcare services.

“We are beyond excited that the Dialysis Transportation service is officially transporting seniors in need to their life-sustaining treatments,” said Mayor Crate. “This initiative is a testament to the commitment of this administration and the Township Council to the well-being of our senior citizens.”

The Senior Dialysis Transportation service will provide residents ages 60 and over with door-to-door transportation to dialysis appointments within Brick Township. The service utilizes a wheelchair-accessible shuttle bus with specially trained employees who can provide assistance to patients with mobility issues. There is no charge to patients to use the service.

The program is funded in part by Federal funding secured by Senator Corey Booker and Congressman Andy Kim in the 2023 government funding bills.

The Senior Dialysis Transportation program is coordinated by the Brick Senior Services office. “With nearly a quarter of Brick’s residents aged 60 and over, the need for services is significant. Dialysis transportation has been an expressed need by  residents  requiring dialysis treatments to maintain their health but lack the ability to travel to appointments on their own,” said Zulma Soto, Director of Brick Township Senior Services. “This dialysis transportation service will allow those residents to receive their life-sustaining treatments.” You may contact Brick Senior Services at 732-920-8686 for additional information on the Senior Dialysis Transportation service.

The Brick Senior Shuttle service began in 2019. The Senior Shuttle provides free transportation to the Senior Center, shopping areas and more to residents ages 60 and over. The Township acquired two wheelchair-accessible buses for the program. One was acquired through a grant and the other purchased by the Township. The service is available to all residents ages 60 and over. Anyone wishing to utilize the Senior Shuttle should call Senior Services at 732-920-8686 at least two days in advance of an appointment. Seating is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.