Trailblazers Recognition Program
The Trailblazers Program acknowledges outstanding teaching, coaching, and club advising.  Its purpose is to celebrate innovative programs, highly creative and successful teaching methods, and pioneering club activities.  Trailblazers are publicly recognized for their excellence at Faculty and Board of Education meetings.  In addition, names of Trailblazers are entered in a drawing to win prizes provided by Trailblazing Partners, local business that have generously provided their support. 

Trailblazing Partners

FOR RFHRHS WEBSITE IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 28, 2009

Coach Beaver named RFHRHS Trailblazer for May, 2009

The RFHRHS Trailblazers Program was initiated to formally acknowledge outstanding teaching, coaching and extracurricular advising by members of the teaching staff.  The purpose of the award is to "celebrate innovative programs, highly creative and successful teaching methods and pioneering club activities which positively affect the school community." 

At the recent faculty meeting, RFHRHS Coach Jerry Beaver was honored as the RFHRHS Trailblazer for May, 2009. A Milton, PA native and graduate of Millersville University, Coach Beaver began his 24 year career at RFH in 1985. A major factor that led to his nomination is his creative and ongoing use of technology in his classroom. He teaches Graphics I and Graphics II, and there have been such sweeping changes in technology during his years here that he has moved with the times by modernizing the curriculum to totally change the way that these classes are taught.

Since his second year here, he has coached the RFH track teams. Currently, he is the Head Boys Track Coach. During last year's season, he guided his team to the Conference Championship. This year the team switched conferences, which put our athletes into the strongest level of competition in the area. Mark Purslow has observed Mr. Beaver's coaching skill for all of his years; he says, "Coach Beaver is a great motivator who gets the most that anyone can expect from his teams. He has a good rapport with his athletes, and they have high respect for him. I personally have a great deal of respect for him for his coaching skills and as a colleague."

Another facet of Coach Beaver's life is his business running his charter boat, "Teacher's Pet". Married to RFH business office administrative assistant Kimberly Beaver, he says that her "house projects" and Jade, the dog, keep him busy when he is not at RFH or on his boat.

Coach Beaver said, "Through the support of the administration and the generosity of the Educational Foundation we have built a well-equipped and up-to-date Graphics Lab. Our Graphics Lab is used 9 periods a day and before and after school-I am proud to be part of that!" 

Principal Tracy Handerhan said, "Jerry Beaver is a model educator.  He is a constant source of support and inspiration for all students.  Jerry seizes opportunities to try new things-gadgets especially-and take sound educational risks.  He is truly a one of a kind."

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Peter Righi says, "Gerry Beaver makes positive connections with his students and is a great contributor to our program. Students gravitate to him; they know he truly cares about them as people and students."

For More Information Contact:

Mr. Jerry Beaver, 732-842-1597, ext. 569, jbeaver@rfhrhs.org

Mrs. Roberta Van Anda, RFHRHS Public Relations, 732-842-4562, avananda@comcast.net

For Immediate Release to RFHRHS Website April 27, 2009

TARA BUFIS IS HONORED AS  RFHRHS TRAILBLAZER FOR THE MONTH

Guidance Counselor Tara Bufis has been selected as the RFHRHS Trailblazer for the month of April.  Tara graduated from Bryant University with a BS in Business Administration and went on to earn a Masters in Education with a concentration in Counseling from Fordham University in New York City. She worked in Student Affairs at the Rose Hill campus of Fordham before leaving to work for the University Division of Student Advantage/Blackboard, Inc. While working at Blackboard, Inc., she also volunteered in the world of politics and was asked to take a full-time position there.  After leaving politics and before coming to RFH, she worked in the Admissions Office at St. Peter's College in Jersey City. This is her fourth year at RFH.

During her time at our school, Mrs. Bufis has served as a co-advisor to Academic Passport and is the faculty liaison for the Rumson Fair Haven High School Foundation. This year, an idea became reality as Mrs. Bufis created and served as Advisor for Raise-the-Roof, a new student organization that spent the winter break working with Habitat for Humanity in Wilmington, Delaware. Eleven students and three staff members, Vice-Principal Chris Lanzalotto, School Nurse Linda Nill and Mrs. Bufis, were housed in a Quaker Meeting House. Each day, the students and chaperones walked to the work site where they helped build houses for seven hours; then they walked back to the local YMCA where they showered and then back to the Meeting House where they cooked their own meals.  All who went on the trip considered their participation to be enjoyable and worthwhile. Expenses for the trip were collected through fundraising efforts of the participants. This was a learning experience for everyone who was involved with Raise-the-Roof.

Mrs. Bufis said, "I loved bringing the Raise-the-Roof program to RFH. It was exciting to watch the students have a completely new experience. Couple that with the fact that we were able to "give back," and it is easy to see why the trip was such a success- both educationally and personally! It is an honor to have my co-workers recognize that experience! Thank You!"

RFHRHS Superintendent of Schools Dr. Peter Righi said, "Tara Bufis is an outstanding educator. Most importantly, Tara has a profound love for what she does and is quite deserving of this recognition."

For more information, please contact:

Mrs. Tara Bufis, 732-842-4562, ext. 237, tbufis@rfhrhs.org

Mrs. Tracy Handerhan, RFHRHS Principal, 732-842-1597, ext. 241, thanderhan@rfhrhs.org

Mrs. Roberta Van Anda, RFHRHS Public Relations, 732-842-4562, avananda@comcast.net

For Immediate Release to our website   May 13, 2008

RFHRHS Trailblazer for May is Joseph J. Lanza

Social Studies teacher Joseph J. Lanza has been selected as the RFHRHS Trailblazer for the month of May. This is a month in which his Fed Challenge team went to the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City and made it to the top 5 in the finals of the Fed Challenge. It is also the month in which his Euro Challenge team also went to the Federal Reserve Bank and won the national championship. Joe and the team will be going to Washington , DC in the next few weeks to be honored by the European Delegation to the United States .

A graduate of Elizabethtown College , Joe came to RFH in 1978. He has excelled as an athletic coach and served as the Head Baseball Coach for nine years. During his coaching career, the baseball team has won the Division Championship three times and achieved the State Sectional Championship in 1996.

Fourteen years ago, Joe started our school's involvement with the Fed Challenge.  Our teams have reached the semi-finals eleven times with six reaching the district finals and two becoming the District Champions and making it into the national championship round. In 2004, the team won the national Fed Challenge Competition. Joe was selected to serve as a teacher consultant to the Federal Reserve Fed Challenge program.

Three years ago, Joe put together his first Euro Challenge team consisting of 9^th and 10^th graders. Last week, Joe's team competed at the Federal Reserve Bank in New York City and brought home the National Championship.

RFH Principal Tracy Handerhan said, "It is not possible to articulate the academic and time commitments it takes to perform at this level in this very select competition.  Mr. Lanza and our students sacrificed countless weekends, evenings, and vacations to prepare for this challenge.  I know I speak for the entire RFH community in expressing tremendous pride and congratulations."

Dr. Peter Righi, Superintendent of Schools, said, "Joe Lanza is one of those stellar teachers who goes far beyond the call of duty year after year for our students. I congratulate him on this well-deserved honor."

We salute Joe Lanza as Trailblazer for the month of May!

Roberta H. Van Anda
RFHRHS Public Relations
avananda@comcast.net
rvananda@rfhrhs.org
732-842-4562

For Immediate Release:   April 21, 2008

Wendy Baum honored as "RFH Trailblazer"

RFH Guidance Counselor Wendy Baum has been selected as the RFH Trailblazer for the month of April. This is Wendy's first year here, and she serves as the Freshman Counselor.  A graduate of Binghamton University, Ms. Baum also attained a Masters Degree in Counseling from NYU. During her training at NYU, she worked in career development at the Stern School in New York and later as a career counselor at Cooper Union in the Engineering Department.

Here at RFH, her colleagues praise her as a "great asset and a team player."  She works with the Freshman Class as a whole, in small groups and individually. Although the Freshman Program started before her arrival here, she has met the challenge to perfect it and works diligently with students in their study halls with the help of the seniors who serve on the Welcoming Committee. Ms. Baum's mentor, Ms. Gail Friedman, praises her "invaluable help to the Freshman Class" and stresses that she "has given much of her time and energy to them."

RFH Principal Tracy Handerhan says that "Ms. Baum's dedication to children is evident in all that she does.  Her commitment to her ninth graders extends far beyond the school day.  She is conscientious and is an outstanding communicator."

Darryl Heale, Supervisor of Guidance, feels that "Wendy offers support, comfort and strength to her students.  In addition, she plays a key role on our crisis intervention team when we assist our students in need.  As a first year school counselor, Wendy exhibits the skills of a veteran counselor.  She is most deserving of her recognition, and I am thankful to be working with someone who is so dedicated and caring."

Wendy said, "I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by guidance colleagues who I learn from every single day, a staff community who is so wholeheartedly committed to developing our students, and an engaging student population who I enjoy immensely.  The support I've received at this school since I began in the fall is vast.  I graciously and humbly accept this award and am so honored by the recognition."

For immediate release:  April 2, 2008

RFHRHS Trailblazer for March is Miss Katie Hastings

At the most recent faculty meeting, Miss Kathryn Hastings was honored as the RFHRHS Trailblazer for the month of March. Miss Hastings teaches Spanish III and Spanish III Honors and helps her students during early morning Student Assistance Time sessions before school opens. A graduate of Clemson University in South Carolina, Miss Hastings has continued her education by attending professional workshops and the Rutgers University World Language Institute every summer to enhance her knowledge of instructional strategies and techniques. During college, she attended El Instituto Internacional in Costa Rica and has shared much from this cultural experience with her students here at RFH.

When approached by a group of students with their dream of starting an RFH Dance Troupe, Miss Hastings volunteered to work with them and has dedicated her time to coaching and developing the team. The long hours have helped to create a viable team that has been performing at school functions such as basketball and football games and has also done exhibitions for the enjoyment of the school community. There is even a hope that they will soon audition for professional sports team engagements. Katie's supervisor, Ms. Michel Salazar Linden praises her as someone who "has a strong work ethic and strives to keep abreast of current trends in education-specifically with regards to integrating literacy strategies to teach students a second language."  She also feels that Miss Hastings work with the Dance Troupe "has been done with grace and dignity that demonstrates her ability to serve as a role model for these young women."

RFH Principal Mrs. Tracy Handerhan says, "Miss Hastings is an enthusiastic and committed educator both in and out of the classroom.  She consistently "goes the extra mile" in all aspects of her career." Dr. Peter Righi, RFH Superintendent of Schools, congratulated Miss Hastings and said, "Katie is very deserving of this award. She's always willing to help out and always does so with a smile. She exemplifies what RFH is all about in that she is a life-long learner, striving for excellence in all she does!"

Miss Hastings was shocked when she heard her name called as this month's Trailblazer. "I was overwhelmed when my name was mentioned. When I first started here, I immediately noticed what an amazing faculty and support staff I was working with, and it is an honor to be recognized amongst them." 

We would like to acknowledge this month's recipient of the "Trailblazers" award.  The purpose of this program is to "acknowledge outstanding teaching, coaching, and club advising. Furthermore, its purpose is to celebrate innovative programs, highly creative and successful teaching methods, and pioneering club activities." It is the intention of "Trailblazers" to acknowledge different teachers with a gesture of appreciation of their efforts throughout the year.

This month, our "Trailblazer" is Linda Nill.  Mrs. Nill began her career here at RFH in September, 2003.  Mrs. Nill received her BSN from Fairfield University in Fairfield, Connecticut and was certified as a school nurse in 2002 from Monmouth University. She continued her education and received her Master's Degree from Monmouth University in 2005. Mrs. Nill is recognized for her outstanding advising of the health club which raised $6,000 for breast cancer by hosting this year's powder puff football game.  She also helped with the cancer crusher night fundraiser, which raised $28,000 for cancer issues. Each year she oversees the highly successful blood donation drive and many other worthwhile Health Club activities. Her dedication to helping students become aware of important medical issues and how to make a difference where these issues exist is a truly trailblazing activity.

Please join us in congratulating RFH School Nurse Linda Nill on a job well done!