The Birthday Bash has become a tradition at the April luncheon/meeting of the Millville Woman’s Club (MWC) and this year the MWC celebrated its 115th birthday. Barbara Morrow and her committee arranged a lunch of meatballs and ziti—and being a birthday party, there was a birthday cake and ice cream.
The business meeting included election of a new slate of MWC officers. The new officers are President, Pam McNamee; 1st Vice President, Joan Fauver; 2nd Vice President, Diann Ewan; Corresponding Secretary, Patti Bump; Financial Secretary, Barbara Westog; Membership, Jane Christy; Nominations, Linda Green and Trustee, Joann Ayres.
As is the custom, two seniors from Millville High School (MHS) were invited to the luncheon and each spoke briefly about her studies, interests, community activities and goals. Kerry Shea is an Honor Roll student who has been a member of the National Honor Society since 2022 and has received Teen Arts State Awards since 2021. She has taken advanced classes since 2017 and is currently focusing in AP classes and fine and performing arts. Kerry has been in MHS Color Guard in Marching Band since 2020 and has been in plays, musical productions and Madrigals since 2021. She volunteers at Our Lady of Sorrows Church and Ventnor Middle School, as well as the Funny Farm refuge for animals. Kerry is a professional artist and has jobs doing paint parties, murals on shop windows, book illustrations for authors, logos and painting commissions. She plans to attend a university, studying art and art education, working toward a master’s degree.
Sarah Lewis, fourth in her class, is a member of the Leaders Club, Key Club, Academic Team and Girls’ Tennis Team. Her studies include AP, Honors and Advanced classes. She has received Academic Varsity Letters in 9th, 10th and 11th grades. She volunteers at Wheaton Arts and Rieck Avenue School. In her free time, she enjoys reading. Sarah plans to attend Rowan University, majoring in economics, and upon completion of her bachelor’s degree go on to law school to become a lawyer in the corporate sector. As always, MWC members wish these young women much success as they pursue their careers.
The pair of senior girls who attended the March meeting was Celia Gisone and Mira Navalta. Celia is in the National Honor Society and Tri-M, Leaders Club, Key Club, Academic Team, Model Congress. She said she has been on the Honor Roll and has received an Academic Letter and recognition for perfect attendance in 2021. Her studies include Advanced and Honors courses as well as Music Appreciation, Theater 2, Chorus, Chamber Choir and Concert Chorale. Celia has been involved with MHS Drama Department, Madrigals and Mock trials. As for community services, she has been involved in WheatonArts events, Trunk or Treat at elementary schools, MHS Scheduling Fair and MHS Legacy Show. She enjoys playing violin and piano and cooking. Celia plans to attend a four-year college or university and major in forensic science with a background in chemistry, biology or biochemistry.
Mira Navalta has been an Honor Roll student since 2021, is a member of the National Honor Society, Leaders Club, Key Club, Clay Club and is Vice President of the Student Council. She has received Academic Letters the past three years and had perfect attendance in 2021 and 2022, received Best Dressed award in 2022 and was student of the month in 2023. Mira’s studies include Anatomy/physiology 1 & 2, Principles of Nutrition, Advanced AP English 2-4, AP Physics, Chemistry, Advanced AP US History 1 & 2, Advanced Geometry, Advanced Algebra, AP Statistics, AP Psychology, French 1 & 2, Financial Literacy and Video 1. She has been in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) since 9th grade. Mira has also been involved at WheatonArts events, MHS Trunk or Treat, Fall Frolic at Rieck and Mt. Pleasant schools, Jump Rope for Heart at Rieck Av School, “Out of the Darkness” suicide prevention walk, Holly Heights Family Reading Night, SJ Regional Animal Shelter and MHS tutoring. Mira has decided to attend a four-year university in a pre-med program.
As always, MWC wishes these young women success as they pursue their goals.
The program at the March meeting was provided by Donna Pio, who presented an exciting and educational video recount of her safari in Kenya from late last summer. Donna’s brother, Ray Goldstine, and two club members, Barbara Ann Cox and Cynthia Zirkle, had joined Donna on this adventure and all were present. Ray served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nairobi, teaching in the pharmacy school, and later returned to live and work for the US CDC in Kisumu, Kenya for many years as the deputy director of HIV Research. Ray and his friends and colleagues in Kenya arranged the safari.
