Schools

West Orange Resident Honored by Freeholders

Livingston High School Chinese language teacher Lucy Lee, of West Orange, and students Lauren Magsaysay and Philip Peker received recognition for their accomplishments on July 11.

Written by Mike D'Onofrio 

The spotlight shone brightly on Livingston High School Chinese language teacher Lucy Lee of West Orange and students Lauren Magsaysay and Philip Peker at the freeholders' meeting at Livingston's town hall on July 11. 

Freeholder Vice President Patricia Sebold, a Livingston resident, sponsored and presented commendations to Lee for being named Essex County Teacher of the Year, and to Magsaysay and Peker for being named recipients of 2013 Governor’s Awards for vocal music and playwriting, respectively.

"As a Livingston resident and a retired English teacher, I am especially pleased to make tonight’s presentations to a teacher and two students from Livingston High School, where my children went to school," said Sebold. 

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Lee, who lives in West Orange, was named the 2013-14 Essex County Teacher of the Year through the state Department of Education’s annual Teacher of the Year competition. 

“Thirty-some years ago, when I first came to this country, I never dreamed I would be standing here to receive this prestigious professional recognition”, said Lee.  “I love what I’m doing and it’s a great career for young people to consider.”

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Lee was first named the Livingston School District Teacher of the Year before being selected as Essex County’s Teacher of the Year by representatives of the education community.   

“From one teacher to another, I am delighted to present you with this Commendation from the Board," said Sebold to Lee. "You are an outstanding teacher who demonstrates the ideals of the Teacher of the Year award every day by inspiring a love of learning in students of all backgrounds and abilities." 

Magsaysay, a 2013 graduate of Livingston High School., was selected by the New Jersey Music Educators Association to receive her Governor’s Award, which are given to students selected by national and statewide organizations for their exemplary work in the arts.  

This year, Magsaysay was named to both the All-State Chorus and the All-Eastern Honors Chorus, which includes students from 10 northeastern states, as well as Europe. She has been a member of the All-State Chorus since 2010, and also a member of the North Regional Chorus since 2008.

“Lauren, you are a very talented young woman, and your family, the Township of Livingston, and this Freeholder Board, are very, very proud of you”, said Sebold.  “I wish you all the best with your future career in Nursing, but certainly hope you will continue with your music, because it will be a terrible loss for all of us if you don’t!”

 Peker, who will be a senior at the high school in the fall, was selected to receive his Governor’s Award in Playwriting by Playwrights Theatre and its New Jersey Young Playwrights Festival.  His play, "Blues-Berries," was one of four winning plays in the High School Division, and was performed by professional actors at Kean University on May 21.  He also received Honorable Mention for the play from the Young Author contest at Columbia College in Chicago.

“Philip, on behalf of the entire Freeholder Board”, said Sebold, “it gives me great pleasure to present you with this Commendation for winning your Governor’s Award in Playwriting, and for being the true ‘Renaissance Man’ you are.”


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