PARSIPPANY — Lake Hiawatha resident Sylene Whittle is a State Finalist in Miss New Jersey Teen USA | Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageant!
Sylene Whittle
Sylene is a freshman at Parsippany High School where she is in Concert Band, African American Culture Club, French Club, Asian American Club, and on the Girls Lacrosse Team.
She resides in Lake Hiawatha with her mother, Patricia Beecher, and her brother Peyton Whittle. Her father, Silas Whittle, lives in Newark. She attended Knollwood Elementary School and Central Middle School.
She does competition cheerleading at Star Athletics in Boonton.
She wants to own her own cheerleading and gymnastics gym one day. Her hope is to inspire and bring gymnastics and cheerleading to underprivileged children. She has been working on her business plan since she was in fourth grade.
Class of 2022 People’s Choice Award voting starts now!! Miss New Jersey USA & Miss New Jersey Teen USA will be collecting friends, families, and the public votes for their favorite contestant for the People’s Choice Award. The People’s Choice Award Winners are guaranteed a spot in the Semifinals! $1 = 1 vote.
The People’s Choice Award Winner in each division will be presented with a beautiful crystal trophy and is guaranteed a spot as a top Semifinalist!
Voting will take place online up until 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, April 2. Be sure to cast your votes before the deadline in order for your votes to count! Click here to vote.
Anyone in the world can vote; spread the word! Please Share!
PARSIPPANY — Parsippany Focus has learned that Panda Wok will be reopening about a half-mile from their previous location in Green Hill Plaza.
Panda Wok was destroyed during a multi-alarm fire on Tuesday, January 4, in the Green Hill Plaza, Parsippany Road. They have been closed since the fire. (Click here for full story)
Panda Wok will be reopening at 219 Littleton Road, in the Littleton Plaza, across from Troy Gardens.
The location will consist of 1,260 square feet in the on story building, that also houses Domino’s Pizzeria, and Tino’s BBQ and Grill.
Panda Wok will be reopening at 219 Littleton Road, in the Littleton Plaza, across from Troy Gardens. Currently, the new location is vacant.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council passed a resolution (R2022-058) supporting Ukraine and its people against Putin’s Russian Invasion on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.
Council President Michael dePierro presented the resolution to Reverand Stephan Bilyk, Pastor, St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church.
In addition, Senator Joe Pennacchio and Assemblyman Brian Bergen presented a resolution on behalf of the State Legislators.
Mayor James Barberio and the Township Council will raise the Ukrainian flag at Town Hall on Saturday, April 2 at 10:00 a.m.
Senator Joe Pennacchio presented the resolution to Reverand Stephan BilykAssemblyman Brian Bergen presented the resolution to Reverand Stephan BilykMembers of the Township Council, Mayor Barberio with members of the Ukraine community
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County was born 283 years ago – or was it before that?
It’s not that the centuries have made us forgetful. It’s a matter of which calendar you use and in what part of the world you live.
It was 1752 when England and its colonies, including New Jersey, switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, moving our official birthday to March 15, 1739, from 1738.
Regardless, history records that Morris County was created by an act of the State Legislature on March 15, 1738/39, separating it from Hunterdon County, one of the state’s largest counties of the period. Named after Colonel Lewis Morris, then Governor of the Province of New Jersey, it originally included what are now the counties of Morris, Sussex, and Warren.
We invite you to learn more about our history:
Check out online exhibits from the Morris County Heritage Commission about exceptional women in Morris County history, and our courthouse, homes, and cultural center by clicking here.
Visit historic sites across the county by clicking here.
Read about the history of our veterans, miners, and railroaders by clicking here.
The Caring For Life Adult Day Care located at 120 East Halsey Road, Parsippany, NJ
07054 invites the submission of sealed bids in food service for lunch and dinner as
described in the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food
Program Invitation for Bid and Standard Contract. These meals are to be served to
250/shift participant, ages 18+, five days per week. Meals must meet the requirements
mandated by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Child and Adult Care Food
Program and begin April 1, 2022. Bid specifications are available at 120 East Halsey
Rd, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Sealed bids will be opened and read aloud, March 29, 2022
at 10:00 AM. Written proposals received after March 29,2022 shall not be considered.
PARSIPPANY – The Morris County Republican Committee (MCRC) held an Executive Committee meeting this week to hear an appeal from the Toby Anderson campaign that alleged procedural deficiencies in last week’s Republican County Committee convention were the reason for his 5-vote loss.
The Morris County Executive Committee consists of the MCRC Executive Board, the Municipal Chairs from 38 municipalities (Victory Gardens is vacant), the two-state committee representatives, the Chair of the Morris County Young Republicans, the Chair of the Morris County Teenage Republicans, and the President of the Women’s Republican Club.
After the Anderson Campaign failed to prove one point of their allegations, the Executive Committee voted unanimously to reject their appeal. There was one abstention – Scott Russell acting Chair in Montville. One witness was called from the Anderson campaign, at the suggestion of Russell, to give testimony that there were people registering after 7:30 p.m., which would have been against the Convention rules. Under oath, she stated that she did not see that. In fact, she only could say that she herself registered before 7:30 p.m. and there were no county committee members being registered after 7:30 p.m.
Other allegations that were presented by the campaign included that county committee members were permitted to vote that were not on the certified list as of February 25. That was unable to be proven because it was false and not true.
Other allegations included opposition to procedures that were documented in the Rules of the Convention. These Rules of the Convention were presented to each of the candidates at a February 23, 2022 meeting where candidates were asked to provide input on them. At the end of the meeting, all Candidates agreed to the rules. The Rules of the Convention supersede Roberts Rules in party Conventions and as mentioned above were agreed to by all the candidates.
“It’s unfortunate that some losing campaigns attribute their loss to election wrongdoings. I should have been clearer about the most important rule of all regarding the Convention: that not everyone will win. And just because you lose, it doesn’t make it ok to scream from the rooftops and on social media that there was voter fraud. Our convention was run with the help of nearly 50 volunteer Morris County Republicans who operate with the highest level of integrity, at all times throughout the convention,” Chairwoman Laura Marie Ali had to say.
“The sight from the podium, looking out at the sea of engaged spirited Republicans was something I’ll never forget! It’s a great time to be a Morris County Republican!,” she added.
MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County’s Board of County Commissioners last night joined members of the local Ukrainian community in a moment of silence and sang the Ukraine national anthem as the board presented a formal resolution declaring solidarity with the Ukrainian people against the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine in Eastern Europe.
The Ukrainian community, an estimated 12,000 people living in and around Morris County, have been an active part of the region for over 100 years, and a dozen of them joined community leader Myron Bytz in accepting the framed, signed, and sealed resolution during the Commissioners’ public meeting in Morristown.
“Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of all Ukrainians, thank you for your support,” said Bytz, who was accompanied by his wife, Christina, and grandson, Atlas.
“As President Zelensky stated, we Ukrainians are a peaceful nation, but if we remain silent today, we will be gone tomorrow. I say, thank you world for speaking out on our behalf, and for your support. We will not be gone tomorrow or ever. Glory to Ukraine. Glory to the heroes,” he added.
The group sang the Ukraine national anthem with their hands held over their hearts, and held two moments of silence with the Commissioners in an emotional gathering.
Lyuba Berezny and her daughter, Sofia, 6, of Whippany brought “No War” signs to the Commissioner meeting
“The situation on the ground is one of horror. Neighborhoods have been destroyed. Civilians have been deliberately targeted for attacks and hundreds have been killed. Two million people who once lived peaceful, hardworking lives in Ukraine have been forced to flee their beloved nation,” said Commissioner Director Tayfun Selen. “Tonight, my fellow Commissioners and I are declaring our solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people against the truly evil onslaught brought down on their homeland by Vladimir Putin.”
Bytz also presented the Commissioners with a Ukrainian flag, which was hung from the meeting room dais.
Everyone interested in donating funds and goods – with medical supplies being a top priority – was urged by Bytz to connect with the Ukrainian American Cultural Center of New Jersey by clicking here.
The declaration of solidarity presented to the local Ukrainian community
The full wording of the Morris County resolution is below:
Whereas, the unprovoked, unjustified, and illegal invasion of the sovereign nation of Ukraine by Russia under the direction of its ruthless President, Vladimir Putin, has been condemned by the entire world, including the people of Morris County and this Morris County Board of County Commissioners; and
Whereas, the people of Ukraine have bravely resisted the relentless assaults, bombings, and crimes against peace waged by Putin and his brutal military, despite overwhelming military odds and the continuing onslaught of modern Russian military strikes against innocent, unarmed civilian populations; and
Whereas, Morris County has maintained a unique kinship with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people dating back more than a century since Ukrainian immigrants first arrived in the Whippany and Malapardis sections of Hanover Township in 1908 to find hope for a new life and employment in the many mills that once drove the regional economy; and
Whereas, it was in Whippany where those immigrants built St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church with their own hands, establishing a community where their direct descendants continue to thrive today, significantly contributing to our wonderful way of life in Morris County and throughout the United States; and
Whereas, because of those deep community bonds, all of the people in Morris County feel the brutal Russian onslaught is being waged on our own homes and families as we watch media images of dead children, devastated neighborhoods, and thousands of Ukrainian refugees fleeing the carnage wrought upon their homeland by foreign aggressors.
Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved, by the Board of County Commissioners, Morris County, New Jersey, that we declare solidarity with the people of Ukraine and our Ukrainian brothers and sisters here in the United States, and we demand Putin immediately withdraw his military from Ukraine, renounce his expansionist claims and rejoin the world of nations to restore war-torn Ukraine.
PARSIPPANY — A rookie Lego robotics team from Parsippany named HuBotics (Human Robotics), is headed to the World Festival/Championships for FIRSTLego League Explore.
The FIRSTLego League (FLL), which started in 1998, is an international program that introduces science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) to children 4-16. FIRST is an acronym for For Inspiration and Recognition in Science and Technology
The HuBotics team is made up of second-grade students – Raayan Bodade, William Bonfanti, Clairelouise Rivera, and Rishith Bhoopathi from Troy Hills Elementary, Parsippany, and Arjun Jadhav from Apple Montessori Elementary, Wayne. In addition, Aarjun Bodade, a freshman from Parsippany High School, is acting as team mentor. Nilesh and Meghana Bodade are the team coaches.
They will be representing New Jersey at the FIRSTLego League “Explore” World Festival/Championships. This is an amazing event inspiring celebration of ingenuity, problem-solving and gracious professionalism. We are very excited to receive this great opportunity for the young and aspiring scientists and engineers.
These young engineers were tasked with creating solutions around a common theme of Cargo. The HuBotics team was one of the youngest to compete against other teams from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. They received the “Best Team Model” award and a chance to participate at the FIRSTLego League Explore World Festival/Championships. Tens of thousands of youths from around the world will compete from around the world at this championship for different age categories. This event will be held in Houston, TX from April 20-23, 2022.
Quotes from the Coaches-
“This is an exemplary opportunity and an honor to be the FIRSTLego League Explore team to represent New Jersey at the World Festival Championship at this young age.”
“This year’s theme is cargo connect where kids learn about the different types of transportation of cargo and understand gaps in the supply chain. Kids explored real-world problems in their community and proposed a solution to reduce pollution and make the neighborhood safe due to the increase of online deliveries in recent years. Kids created Lego models to showcase their solution for the community using the Lego WeDo/BOOST and Scratch program.”
“We are so proud to see them progress in building their Lego models, researching different types of cargo transportation, learning, and working on scratch programming, helping their teammates in making their designs for their models and the confidence they have gained in their presentation skills.”
“Team Hubotics has been invited to Parsippany Troy Hills Elementary school on April 14 and at Apple Montessori, Wayne, to present their project and share their learning with other students.”
“Team Hubotics also presented their project with the FTC team, RedBots in Parsippany High school. They were received with great enthusiasm by these high schoolers. Team RedBots gave genuine guidance and suggestions to these young kids to improve on their robot models. We are so grateful to Mrs. Effner (Team Coach) and team RedBots for giving us the time and encouragement !!!”
“Team Hubotics is also planning to present their project to Mayor James Barberio later this month.”
Please consider donating to this young group of aspiring scientists and engineers. Donations can be made to the GoFundMe account by clicking here.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Chapter of the Hindu Service Society celebrates Black History Month on February 27 at the Viraj Dham Temple. Gordon Drewery Jr. Minster of the Gospel First Baptist Church and Nora Drewery Licensed Social Worker and Storyteller presented a unique and interactive introduction to the History of the Black community and their journey to the US. They also covered the many contributions of black leaders, inventors, writers, scientists. They emphasized the essence of every human and how important it is to be proud of who we are. It was a rewarding experience for all the families that attended the event.
Gordon Drewery Jr. is a teacher, writer, poet and coach, and mentor. He is dedicated to helping others with love. Nora Drewery is a Licensed Social Worker, she is a former teacher who taught in Morris School District for 26 years. She is also a Bible study instructor for First Baptist Church.
PARSIPPANY — The Parsippany Hills High School Academic Decathlon (AcDec) Team competed in the virtual New Jersey Academic Decathlon State Competition on Saturday, February 26, and earned over 20 awards and honors. The team consisted of nine competitors and five alternates. The competing members were: Katharine Arthur, Ram Gupta, Lindsey Lee, Adrina Livingston, Catherine Peng, Hrishikesh Reddy, Andrew Song, Ash Stone, and Danial Tanveer. Alternate team members who participated were: Waleed Alim, Kenneth Cheng, Dylan Chiu, Nishanth Makkithaya, and Chaitanya Matrubai.
Academic Decathlon is a ten-event scholastic competition for high school students. The events include math, science, social science, literature, economics, art, music, speech, essay, and interview. This year’s theme is Water: A Most Essential Resource.
Team coaches are Jaclyn Bevacqua, an Italian teacher, and Jacqueline Forte, a Spanish teacher.
“Commissioners, ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of all Ukrainians, thank you for your support,” said Bytz, who was accompanied by his wife, Christina, and grandson, Atlas.
The HuBotics team is made up of second-grade students – Raayan Bodade, William Bonfanti, Clairelouise Rivera, and Rishith Bhoopathi from Troy Hills Elementary, Parsippany, and Arjun Jadhav from Apple Montessori Elementary, Wayne. In addition, Aarjun Bodade, a freshman from Parsippany High School, is acting as team mentor. Nilesh and Meghana Bodade are the team coaches.
