Toms River Police would like to Know if this Storage Container Belongs to You
October 25, 2023Join the Ocean County Library for an Intimate Conversation with Full House Star, John Stamos
October 25, 2023
Student-Made Chair a Downtown Draw
They started out around the school, fixing High School South's bleachers and the benches for the softball team.
Then they forged custom-made cornhole boards for school staff, friends, and local businesses.
In 2022, they built much-needed lifeguard stands for Ortley Beach.
Now, their most recent project: a giant Adirondack chair for downtown Huddy Park in Toms River.
Each year, students enrolled in Project SPEAR-IT-- the HSS CTE and construction program funded by the United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties (UWMOC)-- envision a capstone project, something to help improve the school, people's lives, or the broader community.
That vision progressed from utilitarian projects to, this year, more of an artistic endeavor, although all of the work these students undertake requires some serious skills.
It was indeed a joint effort, with M&T Bank providing funding for supplies, TRAC members painting and beautifying the piece, as well as arranging its delivery to Huddy Park (no small feat), and Toms River Township approving its installation as the signature piece of the new Arts District.
The weather was ideal for the joyous affair, which was attended by Toms River Mayor Mo Hill, members of the Greater Toms River Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from UWMOC, TRAC, M&T Bank, and the township.
The architects of the chair were the ones who felt most comfortable occupying its giant seating area, and these students were the ones everyone wanted their photo with. Understandably so.
So, what's the capstone project for this year, 2023-2024? We don't know yet. All we know is that it's sure to make people happy, and their lives better for it.
