Kiwanis Service and Music Awards were presented to Madison High School Seniors Alec Waksman and Megan Riley at the June 20, 2013 Awards Ceremony.

Alec Waksman was presented with the 2013 Kiwanis Nancy Boucher Madison High School Service Award.  This highly qualified student serves as the Treasurer and “points person” on the Key Club executive board at Madison High School. Alex is truly dedicated to volunteer work and helping others. He volunteered for the Special Olympics bocce tournament, worked at the car wash, and helped facilitate a recent dodge ball event. He has been present at every key club event this school year. Alec is self-less and has a quiet sense of leadership that students gravitate toward. When something needs to be done, Alec is always ready and willing to pitch in. He has a calm, pleasant demeanor which serves him well when working with children, people with special needs, and senior citizens.  We are grateful to have a student of Alec’s caliber on the Key Club executive board this year.

Meghan Riley was presented with the Kiwanis 2013 Jerry Vezza Madison High School Music Award. She completed a very demanding college prep program of study. Meghan is more than willing to rise to the academic challenge that a difficult program often presents.  Her efforts have resulted in an excellent grade point average and she was inducted into the National Honor Society.

Meghan has clearly defined goals for her future. She is focused on becoming a music teacher.  She has been involved in every phase of the MHS music program including Orchestra, Concert Band, Marching Band, Pit Band, and Wind Ensemble.  Outside of school she also performs with Drew University’s Wind Ensemble.

When not making music, Meghan is an assistant editor of the yearbook and she volunteers as a math tutor.  She is also very active in the youth ministry of her church and has volunteered to give music lessons during the summer in the summer youth program.  Her experiences will help her achieve her goal of becoming a music teacher.

2012 Madison Kiwanis Service and Music Awards

The Madison High School Awards Ceremony for the graduating class of 2012 was held Wednesday, June 21, the evening before commencement, at the Ferguson Recreation Center on the Fairleigh Dickinson University campus off Madison Avenue.

Among many honors for the graduating seniors, the Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club bestowed awards on two members of the Class of 2012, one recognizing service to others, and the second applauding achievement in music.

Former Club President Nancy Boucher presented the Nancy Boucher Service Award to Rebecca Levin. Boucher said “the award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated a commitment to service and through those efforts and by her example has had a positive impact on others.” Boucher also noted that Levin has done an outstanding job as President of the MHS Key Club, a service organization sponsored by the Kiwanis, leading the club in 600 hours of service in 2012.  Key Club projects included Color-A Smile, Babysitting for mothers who attended Dress for Success meetings, conducting a food drive for a local food pantry, making gingerbread houses with cognitively impaired students, staffing the MHS Blood Drive and running a dodge ball tournament to raise funds which were contributed to charities.

Madison jazz pianist Jerry Vezza presented the Jerry Vezza Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Field of Music to Sharlys Leszczuk.  Vezza said “the award, is given to a graduating senior who has shown a love for music with passion, discipline and dedication to excellence in the art of music.” Vezza also noted that Leszczuk has been active in MHS musical theater production and is a member of the Chorus and Jazz Choir. Leszczuk has played the harp since she was four years old and has won many classical and Celtic harp accolades. She is also an accomplished tin whistle player, vocalist, song writer, story-teller and Irish dancer. She is a member of the Harmonium Choral Society and Harmonium’s Chamber Singers and has performed with the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey. She is a featured artist in Madison and the region, performing with her family, the “eclectic-Celtic” musical group “Dugan’s Hooligans.”

At the Awards Ceremony, Leszczuk also received the Arion Music Award, William Chemerka Student Council Award and Presidential Award for Academic Excellence.

Musician Jerry Vezza Welcomed at Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Meeting

Nancy Boucher introduced Jerry Vezza, a well-known Madison musician. Several years ago, Madison Kiwanis had an annual fundraiser called “all that Jazz” at Shanghai Jazz in Madison. Jerry Vezza was very kind to the club and helped by performing at the fundraiser. He also brought MHS students to the fundraiser. Because of his kindness, the Madison Kiwanis Club named a music scholarship after him. The scholarship award is given to a graduating Madison High School music student. Jerry made the scholarship presentation last year and will make it again this year on June 16 at the MHS awards ceremony held on the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Key Clubs Present at Kiwanis Meeting – March 22, 2011

Chatham and Madison High School Key Club Officers and Advisors presented an overview of their activities. Betty Anne Keat (see above photo) did the introductions.

Sitting in the “Library room” at Charlie Brown’s are (Left to Right) CHS Key Club Recording Secretary Erin, Treasurer Natalie, Faculty Advisor Kiera Spadaro, Vice President Christina, President Annie and Corresponding Secretary Kallan.

Five officers and the faculty advisor of the Chatham High School Key Club made a presentation to the March 22 Chatham-Madison Kiwanis breakfast meeting held at Charlie Brown’s in Chatham Township. The Kiwanis Club sponsors all Key Clubs.

Key Club officers reported that they recently sponsored a successful “Restaurant Night” fund raiser for The Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ. The Key Club will also be taking a field trip to visit the Hospital where they can visit with the patients and see first-hand where funds are used. Club members also participated in a NJ state-wide “American Idol” style fund raiser. Chatham band “Castle Park” placed third in the competition, which also raised funds for the Children’s Specialized Hospital.

CHS Key Club meetings are held in the evening in the school cafeteria. Outside speakers make presentations and members sign up for volunteer projects. Officers for the 2011-2012 school year will be elected at an upcoming meeting.

Sitting in the “Library room” at Charlie Brown’s are (Left to Right) MHS Key Club Treasurer VJ, Points Secretary Henry, 2011 Vice President Andrew, 2012 President Brenna, Publicity Caroline, 2012 Vice President Shannon, 2011 President Rebecca and Secretary Kelly.

Eight officers and the faculty advisor of the Madison High School Key Club made a presentation to the March 22 Chatham-Madison Kiwanis breakfast meeting held at Charlie Brown’s in Chatham Township.

The officers reported that funds were raised recently by selling “Pots O’ Gold” (a type of candy-gram which students give to their friends). Small leprechaun kettles filled with candy were sold for five days during lunch and then delivered to recipients on St. Patrick’s Day. A car-wash is also planned. The Key Club will be assembling goody-bags for the participants in a Special Olympics Bocce Ball Tournament to be held at Madison High School.

The club has been collecting funds for several years and now has $4,000 which will be given to the Children’s Specialized Hospital, located in Mountainside, NJ.

Madison High School Key Club Faculty Advisor Peggy Cox speaking to the Chatham-Madison Kiwanis Club at the March 22 breakfast meeting held at Charlie Brown’s in Chatham Township.

Kiwanis marches in November 26, 2010 Madison Christmas Parade

Kiwanis of Chatham and Madison marched in the 2010 Madison Christmas Parade. The above photo shows marchers in the Ambulance Corps parking lot before the parade started.  Madison High School Key Club members pose in front of the Kiwanis Banner and 13 Kiwanians are standing behind the banner.

During the parade, an announcer at Waverly Place briefly described the Kiwanis Club. The above photo show marchers rounding the corner near Gary's on Main Street. Click here to view the Chatham Patch coverage of the parade.

Madison High School Graduating Seniors Receive Kiwanis Awards

The Madison High School Awards Ceremony was held on June 17 at the Fairleigh Dickinson University Ferguson Center. Two Madison High School graduating seniors received awards from the Madison Kiwanis Club.

Former club president Nancy Boucher presented the Nancy Boucher Service Award to Catherine Turvey. She has done an outstanding job as co-president of the Key Club and has served as a tutor for students learning the English language.

Musician Jerry Vezza presented the Jerry Vezza Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in the Field of Music to Connor Leszczuk. He has excelled as violinist in the MHS Orchestra and is a violinist in the Baroque Orchestra of North Jersey, the NJ Concert Opera and frequently accompanies the Harmonium Choral Society. A former member of the NJ Youth Symphony family of ensembles, he’s been a guest artist of the New Philharmonic of NJ, and has played on occasion with the Livingston Symphony and the Stirling String Ensemble. Connor earned the first place championship in the Mid Atlantic Irish Fiddle competitions twice in a row, and has numerous first place championships under his belt. He can also be seen performing with his family, the musical group "Dugan's Hooligans."

Madison High School Key Club Participates in School-Wide Service Day

On June 2, the MHS Key Club participated in the Madison High School Service Day. The Key Club hosted twenty-four 3rd and 4th grade Newark SCEEP students.

The Suburban Cultural Educational Enrichment Program (SCEEP) pairs inner-city children with suburban community high school students, who serve as tutors. On MHS Service Day, the children participated in field day and Color-a-Smile activities. Much fun was had by all.

Madison High School Key Club Pots O' Gold

The Madison High School Key Club just finished a fund raiser for Children's Specialized Hospital. In the week preceding St. Patrick's Day, during lunch periods, Key Club members sold Pots O' Gold for $.50. The purchasers designated who would receive each Pot, and the actual Pots were delivered during announcement time on St. Patrick's Day. The concept is similar to a candy gram idea.

They sold about 100 Pots. The money will go to Children's Specialized Hospital, and all of MHS will be more festive by the presence of the little Pots O' Gold.