Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence Raises $34,000 for Cranford schools at 7th Annual Trivia Night
Photos by Chris Gosier
Proceeds to benefit grant requests for innovation and excellence in Cranford classrooms
The Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence (CFEE) hosted its 7th Annual Trivia Night on Friday, February 23rd at the Kenilworth VFW. Over 300 people were in attendance, with 32 teams vying for the championship. The competition was fierce, with lively music by DJ Randy Geis and high spirits.The emcee for the evening, Karen Bennett, presented eight rounds of tough questions created by a board committee led by Trivia Master, Brian Andrews.
CFEE proudly featured over 40 businesses and families who supported the event with sponsorships ranging from $150 to $5000. MWT Builders served as ‘Principal Sponsor’ and Lincoln Investments, The Cranford Jaycees, and Beyond Dance participated as ‘Facilities Directors’ sponsors. Keating Physical Therapy, New Jersey Family Medical, Schuster Family Orthodontics, Mr. P’s Varsity Jackets & Apparel, Pro Care Rehabilitation L.L.C., Julie and Jim Murphy – CHS Class of ’78 supported the event as Academic Deans sponsors.
More than $34,000 was raised from team entry fees, 500+ raffle tickets sold in the 50/50, and philanthropic donations. The event’s proceeds will fund grants made by Cranford district educators.
Superintendent of Cranford Schools and Trivia Night participant, Dr. Scott Rubin welcomed the crowd and expressed his thanks for the community’s strong support of fundraisers like Trivia Night that positively impact Cranford students & schools.
The trivia scores were close making it anyone’s trophy for the taking with a tie breaker showdown to determine the 2nd and 3rd place titles! Congratulations to 1st Place, “In Liz We Truss”, Howard Lubinger, Mike Yablonski, Bartek Konopka, Chrissi Konopka, Rebecca Trump, Paul Gallo, Patricia MacClean and Matt Trump, 2nd Place “Party On Excellent”, Margaret Carroll, Tim Carroll, Casey McGinley, Patrick McGinley, Amanda Pittard, Caitlin DuBois, Tom Maffiore, Jeff Pittard, Lisa Navarro, Dave Navarro and 3rd Place “Team Name Pending”, John Cwikla, Jenn Cwikla, Geoff Cleveland, Joy Cleveland, Pete McDevitt, Faith Dzuroucik, Mike Klimko, Jodi Klimko, Mark Kielczynski, and Marcy Kielczynski. This year’s 1st place team will be featured on a Cranford billboard this spring, plus scored their own limited edition ice cream flavor at Cranford Vanilla Bean Creamery! All winners walked away with bragging rights and a lawn sign to display proudly.
There was no contest when it came to the Spirit Award winners, who showed up to take home the glory. Class Clowns – The Red Hot Trivia Peppers: Liz Jackson, Matt Jackson, Michael Bange, Allison Bange, Denise Alvarez, Beth Lanzisera, Dom Lanzisera, Jim Behnke, Kristin Ferrara, Kathryn Wiedemann, Most Team Spirited – Hot for Teacher: Carine Helwig, Chris Helwig, Lauren Battaglino, John Battaglino, Carmen Rodriguez, Shawn McDonald, Alex McDonald, Mark Rodriguez, Kelli Farrell, and Shaun Farrell and Best Dressed – Earth, Win and Fire – Jaclyn Horbal, Sean WilhelmMarisa Wilhelm, Nim Shah, Matt DeLorenzo, Sheryl DeLorenzo, Jen Shah, Kevin Kelly, Nicole Kelly.
The Cranford Fund for Educational Excellence, relaunched in 2014, is a nonprofit, Cranford-based foundation that supports excellence and innovation in the Cranford public schools by generating resources through community involvement. The grants are awarded to teachers and staff who apply for them, and benefit students across the school district. Since 2016, the CFEE has awarded over $350,000 in grants in categories such as: Differentiated or personalized education, technology integration and 21st-century skills, innovation zones/makerspaces, and classroom design.
If you’d like more information or to contribute to this year’s efforts, please visit our website at www.cranfordfund.org.