Members of the girls field hockey were recognized.
By Maddy Vitale
Joseph Clark was reappointed president of the Ocean City Board of Education during the annual reorganization meeting Wednesday night. Jacqueline McAlister retained her position as vice president during the meeting that included the swearing in of six board members.
Also, the fall sports teams received athletic honors in a ceremony in which families snapped cellphone photos and coaches spoke of the talented athletes in the district.
Clark, Michael James and Cecilia Gallelli-Keyes, all Ocean City representatives, were sworn in for three-year terms by Business Administrator Tim Kelley. Kelley also swore in Upper Township board members Fran Newman, Andrea Olenik-Hipkins and William J. Sooy to one-year terms.
Board members William Sooy, Fran Newman, Cecilia Gallelli-Keyes, Michael James and Joseph Clark were sworn in by Business Administrator Tim Kelley.
A seventh board member, Suzanne Morgan, was sworn in to fill the vacancy created by the tragic passing of Thomas R. Oves Jr. on Oct. 22. Prior to her being sworn in, Morgan was interviewed in public, with board members asking the mother of three, who is in marketing and sales, why she would be a good board member.
Morgan said she has been active in the Parent Teacher Association and Parent Teacher Organization as well as charitable causes, including helping in soup kitchens, clothing drives and New Jersey’s Run for the Fallen, to name a few.
“It looks like you have a lot of great experience,” Clark said to Morgan prior to the interview.”
Morgan explained that one of her children goes to Stockton University, the other two are in high school, and she has a bit more free time that she could spend as a school board member.
“This is the perfect time for me. I’ve always given back. I’m at the point now where I just about have an empty house,” Morgan said, adding that she wants to be a part of helping the students in the community by being a board member.
The board members voted unanimously to appoint Morgan.
Suzanne Morgan was voted on the board to fill the vacancy created by the unfortunate passing of Thomas Oves.
The boys soccer team received certificates for their achievements.
Girls soccer coach Kelly Halliday helped bring her team to a 19-4-1 overall record. Player Abbey Fenton broke two school records, including most wins in a season by a goalie and most shutouts in a season.
The girls cross country team was 8-0 in the Cape Atlantic League Conference.
Boys cross country was 9-0 in the Cape Atlantic League American Conference.
“This group of guys was a real pleasure to coach,” cross country Coach Matt Purdue said.
Coach Kelsey Mitchell and her field hockey team made it to the South Jersey Group III Finals. Both Shannon O’Reilly and Reese Bloomstead made the CAL American Conference First Team.
Football Coach Kevin Smith said his team worked hard and had an overall record of 7-3, with a very tough game against Cedar Creek High School in Egg Harbor City. They went back to win 41-0 over West Windsor-Plainsboro South just five days later.
The girls tennis team ended with a 12-9 record, but they did win a playoff match against No. 2 seed Toms River South to advance to South Jersey Group III semi-finals. Libby Trofa made the CAL American Conference First Team.
Members of the girls field hockey were recognized.
