The Evesham Township Board of Education recognized student accomplishments in music and sports during its regular meeting on Feb. 29.
The meeting kicked off with a musical performance from district students.
The following DeMasi Middle School staff and students were cited for earning places in the 2024 Olympic Honors Band: teacher Madelaine Goldman, Principal Beverly Green and students Dana Kerber and Evan Zarcone. DeMasi student Casey Leisse was also recognized for making the 2024 South Jersey Band.
”Two of our students were actually at another gig earlier,” Evesham Superintendent Dr. Justin Smith noted. “They were playing with the Evesham Jazz Machine, which is a group that has high-school and middle-school students, and they performed over at Seneca High School.
”You can travel all kinds of places through your instruments,” he added, addressing the students. “I encourage you to keep up with (music) and carry it from middle into high school. You all played so beautifully and (the district) is just glad you’re here making such wonderful accomplishments.”
The following Marlton Middle School staff and students were also cited: Teacher Mark White; Principal Gary Hoffman; and students Elaine Eckhart (for placing in the 2024 Olympic Honors Band), Carley Ridley (for placing in the 2024 South Jersey Band), and Timothy Carl (for making the 2024 Olympic Honors Band and 2024 South Jersey Band).
Members and coaches of the DeMasi girls basketball team were cited for their undefeated season: head coach Melissa Walker; assistant coach Caitlin Ravel; and students Isabel Bandoy, Gabriella Dispenza, Erin Gallagher, Sydney Gaymon, Lillian Gorsline, Reign Green, Gabriella Medina, Maggie Melnychuk, Gracie O’Donnell, Gwyneth Olivar, Arna Patel, Brenna Rogers, Maura Spicer, Carli Szczepanski, Lauren Vega and Leah Weiner.
Walker noted the team’s nearly two-year winning streak.
“(The team) hasn’t lost since December 2022, which is very impressive” she said. “Some of these girls have played since they were in sixth grade. They’re all very special girls.
Acccording to the coach, the seventh and eighth grade travel teams – including some players from DeMasi – are headed to Cherokee High next year.
”Cherokee is extremely lucky to have these girls,” Walker noted. “(The team) has taught me a lot, these are awesome girls.”
During the board meeting’s public comment, dozens of residents and parents expressed their concern over potential cuts to the school curriculum. Board members encouraged them to continue sending emails and added that their concerns are being heard and that the board is currently working on the 2024-‘25 budget.
The tentative budget board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19, at Marlton Middle School. The next board of ed session is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at Marlton Middle School.
