South Orange kids are superstars in many ways.  Here are just a few cool things our community’s kids are up to these days.

South Mountain Kids Give Back

South Mountain Elementary School students pitched in at the Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges during Spring Break.  About ten children, along with their parents, filled shopping bags with canned and dried goods, and helped hand them to folks waiting.

“We are especially in need of peanut butter, canned fruit, tomato sauce and powdered milk right now,” said Pantry Coordinator Diane Stein.  “Also, we always accept cash donations or Shop Rite gift cards.”  Checks can be made out to Congregation Beth El (put Interfaith Food Pantry of the Oranges in memo line), and mailed to Congregation Beth El, 222 Irvington Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079-2238. 

Students volunteer on a regular basis at the pantry as part of South Mountain Cares, the school’s community service program. 

SOMS Students “Clean It and Green It”

Main Street South Orange and South Orange Middle School have teamed up to beautify South Orange with “Clean It and Green It,” an anti-litter, recycling and pride campaign.  Students were invited to enter a poster contest to illustrate how they take pride in their town, respect local businesses and reduce trash. 

Winners each received $50 from MSSO:  Katie Morton, Maya McCombs, Abi Erhamza and Samantha Reichgut.  Runners up received MSSO gift cards: Oluomachi Onyekwere, Gabrielle Howell, Khashari Wilson, Sofia Donald and Tyler Reininga.

Local Gymnasts Soar

Recently, the South Mountain YMCA Aces team competed at the Fanwood Scotch Plains YMCA.  Standouts included Hadrianna Lowenkron (1^st on bars; 3^rd on vault), Taylor Milch (1^st on floor; 3^rd on bars), Emma Waldner (1^st on floor; 3^rd on beam), Sophia Helmkamp (2^nd for both vault and floor), and  Julia Engel (2nd on floor).

Congratulations, girls!

Pen Pals Meet Some Real Warriors

On Monday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at the Maplewood Memorial Library, three warriors and the chief of the Samburu tribe are visiting to speak to kids and families about life in rural Kenya.

The guests are part of the library’s African Pen Pal Project, where Maplewood and South Orange children have learned about another culture by exchanging letters with children in Kenya. 

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Jane Folger, youth services coordinator.  The program is free.