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Page Scholar, Andrew Nowak, Is Hosted By The Monmouth County New Jersey Branch

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First row, left to right:  Board Members:  Robin Blair, Richard Biernacki, Janet Smuga, Harry Brady

Second row:  left to right:  David Henritzy, Andrew Nowark, Page Scholar; Ron Brown, Janet Pitman

Andrew began his research in the U.S. on March 29^th with a Sunday morning tour of  OASIS Farm in Middletown, escorted by his ESU co-host, Robin Blair, and OASIS board member Barbara D'Augusta.   OASIS tlc is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote inclusion and acceptance of autistic individuals into their local communities by establishing environmentally exemplary farm centers that provide meaningful work, peaceful and healthy residences and community interaction. 

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Annual Shakespeare Competition for High School Students 2015

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 Left to right: Richard Biernacki, President, Monmouth County ESU; Naomi Stuart, 1st place from Glen Ridge High School; Patrick Monaghan, 2nd place from Red Bank Regional High School; Lauren Pelaia, 3rd place from Colts Neck High School, Janet Smuga, Shakespeare Competition Chairperson

Annual Shakespeare Competition for High School Students

On February 28th, a dozen high school students each took the stage at the Middletown Arts Center and, without scenery, costumes or props, brought Shakespeare's words to life.  Each had practiced and prepared, each had studied and rehearsed, and all of them performed wonderfully.  It was the 25th annual Shakespeare Competition for high school students sponsored by the Monmouth County Branch of the English-Speaking Union, and the stakes were high.  The winner will go on to a national competition at Lincoln Center in New York on April 26 - 28, where the top prize will include an all-expenses paid trip to study acting in England.

Despite the competition, the atmosphere among the students was mutually supportive.  Their audience included teachers, parents, and members of the ESU, as well as five theater professionals who served as expert judges.  Each student presented a sonnet and a short monologue.

Third place, and a cash award, went to Lauren Pelaia from Colts Neck High School for her impassioned Hamlet, berating himself that he could not summon up as much emotion as a mere actor.  Second place was taken by Patrick Monaghan from Red Bank Regional, whose intelligent Hal from Henry V was by turns humorous and furious.  Honorable mention goes to Guy Rose, from Middletown North, for his outraged Edmund from King Lear, and Jess Fisher, from Middletown South, for her charming Rosalind from As You Like It.

First place went to Naomi Stuart of Glen Ridge High School, whose delightful Phoebe from As You Like It wavers between maidenly circumspection and full-hearted celebration of her youthful crush on the handsome young Ganymede.  What she doesn't know is that her heart-throb is actually a woman, Rosalind, disguised as a man.

Naomi will enter the National competition in May, but you needn't go so far nor wait so long to see her.  She, Patrick, and Lauren will repeat their performances at Bingham Hall in Rumson, on April 12th at 3 pm, when the ESU will host a Spring Tea, open to the public.  An added attraction: this year's tea has a Downton Abbey theme; period costumes will be modeled at the event.  Join us there for refreshments and to see these excellent young people act!  For details contact the branch president, Richard Biernacki, at monmouthesupres@verizon.net

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2014 Annual Shakespeare Competition for High School Students

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On March 1st, eleven high school students faced a great challenge: each of them took the stage at Brookdale's Performing Arts Center and, without scenery, costumes or props, brought Shakespeare's words to life.  Each had practiced and prepared, each had studied and rehearsed, and all of them performed wonderfully.  It was the 24th annual Shakespeare Competition for high school students sponsored by the Monmouth County Branch of the English-Speaking union, and the stakes were high.  The winner will go on to a national competition at Lincoln Center in New York on May 4th - 6th, where the top prize will include an all-expenses paid trip to study acting in England.

Finalists in Monmouth County ESU Shakespeare Competition 2014:  left to right:   Alicia Moeller, Red Bank Regional High School;  Kelly Lozo, Middletown South High School;  Claire Gates, Holmdel High School; Suzie Hicks, Colts Neck High School; Mpho Manye, Glen Ridge High School

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Ice Cream Social

Event Recap

Winners of our local Shakespeare Competition reprised their excellent performances for members and friends at an Ice Cream Social on Sunday, April 7th, 2013, in historic Bingham Hall in Rumson. Following the performances and the presentation of monetary prizes, the students and more than 40 audience members, socialized in the hall and in the beautiful surounding gardens, enjoying the sweet pleasures of good company, premium ice cream and all of the trimmings.

Click Here to read about it in the Atlantic Highlands Herald

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Cole Porter, Noel Coward-Themed Fundraiser a Success

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It was billed as a "delightful, delovely" evening dubbed "Let's Do It" when the Monmouth County branch of the English Speaking Union (ESU) celebrated the music and genius of Noel Coward and Cole Porter with a jazz age-themed fundraiser June 24 at Raven and The Peach in Fair Haven.

Read the full story from the Rumson-Fair Haven Patch

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