Biography of Ashley Tisdale
Ashley was born July 2, 1985 in Deal, New Jersey. She grew up in a small town within Monmouth County. She has an older sister named Jennifer and she is an actress too. Ashley’s nickname is Ash. Her favorite subject in school was English.
Ashley’s favorite thing to do is sing and acting. Ashley Tisdale began acting at a local Jewish Community Center in Monmouth County. When she was eight years old, she was starring on Broadway. Her big break was in 2005 where she became part of the High School Musical team along side Zac Efron and Vanessa Anne Hugens. She played the role of Sharpy. She was also in High School Musical 2, which first aired in September 2007 on Disney Channel.
When Ashley was 12 years old, she sang for Bill Clinton at the White house. While she was in high school, she really wanted to act and all of her hard work paid off. Ashley was offered many roles in T.V. shows. One of her roles was Maddie in “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody.” In 2006, Ashley recorded a sound track of “Kiss the Girl” singing “Bop to the Top.” In 2007, Ashley’s first solo album was released entitled “Headstrong.”
By: Alexis De Guzman
Berkley Street Elementary School
One Big Step for Buzz the Space Man
The amazing Edwin Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey, in 1930. Buzz became a fighter pilot in the Korean War, entering NASA’S space program in 1963. He is best known as the second human to set foot on the moon. (Neil Armstrong was the first).
The mission of Apollo 11 was to get two people to the moon and back to Earth safely. The spaceship was launched at Kennedy Space Center on July 16, 1969. The spaceship was carrying three people: the mission commander, Neal Armstrong, the command module pilot, Mike Collins, and the moon module pilot, Buzz Aldrin Jr.
Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, and Buzz became the second man to walk on the moon. The astronauts had a lot of things to do in a short period of time. They wanted to get samples and do a lot of experiments. They also wanted to take pictures. In 2 ½ hours, they were able to do everything they planned.
Buzz returned to active duty in the U.S Air Force in 1971 and was the commander of the test pilot school. He retired as a colonel in 1972. Buzz is the author of four books: Return to Earth, which tells the difficult story of his first moon landing, Men from Earth, and the science fiction novel, Encounter with Tiber. His newest book, Reaching for the Moon, was written in 2005. I think it is cool that the second man to walk on the moon was from New Jersey.
By: Robby Jurgensen
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
Drive –In Movie Theater’s on the Go!
Lights, camera, action! Drive-in movie theaters are on the go! Have you ever seen a drive-in movie theater? Well, if you haven’t, here is your chance to find out about the first one.
Richard M. Hollingshead, Jr., is the genius that invented the amazing drive-in movie theater. What an invention! Richard’s family owned and operated the “R. M. Hollingshead Corporation Chemical Plant” in Camden, N. J. On June 6, 1933, believe it or not, the fantastic drive-in movie theater was born on his driveway. The problem was that when it rained, the people couldn’t see the movie, but people still enjoyed it. The people who watched movies in the drive-in movie theater especially enjoyed this because the whole family could be together while watching a movie.
After this amazing invention was created in New Jersey, the drive-in movie theater spread across the country! You see, this fantastic invention changed part of New Jersey’s history. Next time you want see a movie, remember the drive-in movie theater! Try to keep the history alive! Lights, camera, action!
By: Sarah Hahm
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
Judy Blume
Have you read Are You There God; It’s Me Margaret? What about Sheila the Great? Well you should because Judy Blume writes great books. Judy Blume was born on February 12, 1938. Judy Blume enjoys things like movies, theater, reading, dancing, and baseball. Judy’s favorite time of year is summer because she and her family go to an island.
Judy Blume won over 90 awards for her great books. More than 65 million of her books have been copied and sold in 20 different languages. When Judy was 27 years old she wrote her first book called The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo.
Judy says that talent isn’t enough. It takes hard work and determination. You have to wake up every morning and tell yourself, “I can do this!” Now that’s girl power! Then you have to get to it and work like crazy!
Did you know Judy gets her ideas from her own life and her children’s lives, too? Isn’t it amazing? Judy loves to create characters and she says that sometimes writing can get lonely. So if you hadn’t read Judy Blume’s books, you should!
By: Mia Ferreras
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
Leaming’s Run Gardens
Leaming’s Run Gardens is awesome! There are twenty-two gardens in all, not including a farm. It’s located in Swain Town, Middle Township, New Jersey. It’s the biggest garden in the United States of America. Jack and Emily April own Leaming’s Run Gardens. They put a sign up that says, “You may walk on the grass.” As you already know, most signs say “DO NOT walk on grass!” What else do they have?
They have a farm and a vegetable garden, too. Also they have a tour to show visitors around. The farm is typical for the 1700’s. It has goats, lambs, horses, chickens, roosters, and more. On the tour you’ll see all the gardens. Here are some: Blue and White Garden, Blue and Red Garden, Down Jersey Garden, English Cottage Garden, Hibcus Garden, Orange Garden, Red and White Garden. Jack April says, “It’s there to enjoy. So please do.” In August it is the capital of birds because every year the birds migrate through Leaming’s Run Gardens. Now let’s take the tour of Leaming’s Run, shall we?
We begin our tour by going through the woods. A stream runs through the woods. It is called Leaming’s Run. This is how Leaming’s Run Gardens got its name. Then we step out of the clearing. We should now see a garden. This is the first garden. See how many flowers there are? Violets, petunias, begonias, poppies, and pansies are just some of the flowers in their gardens. Then after a few gardens we come to a cabin. Jack and Emily lived in this before they had their house built. They bought Leaming’s Run in 1957 and it took five years to put together. It opened to the public in 1977. The end of the tour is the gazebo. So the next time you decide to stop and smell the roses, go enjoy this beautiful place, right here in NJ!
By: Tara Levine
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
Moe Berg the Catcher
Moe Berg was born in 1902. People say he was a mystery. Moe Berg grew up in Belleville, New Jersey. Moe Berg started to play baseball at the age of four. Moe was at the top of his class in High School. When he got older he got his degrees from Princeton and Columbia. He became the star shortstop of his college baseball team.
Moe signed a contract with the Dodgers. His hitting was below average and he was sent to the minors after the 1924 season. A few years later he got a contract from the White Sox. They moved him to the catcher position in the 1927. He played there until he retired on January 14, 1942 the exact day his father died. He only played 662 games in 15 years. He received two votes for the American League for the most valuable player.
Did you know that he also spoke Chinese? When he retired from his baseball career at the age of 37 he had 441 hits 1,812 at bats only 6 home runs and 206 batted in. He died on May 29, 1972 in Belleville, New Jersey. He died when he was 70 years old. That’s why they say Moe Berg was a mystery.
By: Greg Magro
Berkley Street Elementary School
New Jersey’s Phenomenal Performances
Have you ever heard of the NJPAC? It is a spectacular performing arts center located in Newark, New Jersey. Many terrific talents have performed in the spotlight here. The NJPAC has been filled with the greatest artists, cultural icons, and some of the world’s most famous artists and dancers. The NJPAC became the sixth largest performing arts center in the U.S.A.!
Did you know that the NJPAC attracted over five-million patrons and about 900,000 children since it’s October18, 1997 opening night? In it’s first sensational eight seasons, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Yo-Yo Ma, Bob Dylan, Nacinol de Cuba, Lauryn Hill, Dance Theater of Harlem, and many other phenomenal performances have been on stage here. The NJPAC has also had many Broadway musicals performed there. The NJPAC has been in many newspapers like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and many more. The newspapers discuss that the NJPAC is a really great performing arts center. The NJPAC offers an unforgettable experience for all families and friends! The NJPAC is absolutely amazing!
By: Shantelle Guinto
Berkley Street Elementary School
Otto Messmer, the Creative Creator
Everyone has heard of Walt Disney, but what about Otto Messmer? Messmer was the creator of Felix the Cat! He was born in West Hoboken (which is now known as Union City) and his date of birth is August 16, 1892. Before he got the idea, he attended The Thomas School of Art. After that, he met Anne Mason in 1912 and married her. He thought of “Felix the Cat” in 1919. In 1919, Messmer’s first film was called “Feline Follies.” In one of his films, Felix curiously approaches a hungry and frustrated bear. He realizes that he is in big problem and an exclamation point comes over his head. Felix looks up, grabs the exclamation point, and clubs the hungry bear on the head. The bear gets frightened and runs away yelping. This is a great example of Otto’s creative mind! In 1923, it became a comic strip. In 1931, Felix the Cat was no longer popular. Walt Disney’s films had begun. Unfortunately, the comic strip ended in 1943.
In Otto’s films that he animated his name was never mentioned. Therefore, Pat Sullivan the owner of the animation studio got most of the credit for “Felix the Cat.” Sadly, not too many people remember Felix, but it was the first popular cartoon.
By: Isabella Bowers
Berkley Street Elementary School
Patience Lovell Wright
The great sculptor, Patience Lovell Wright was born in 1725 in Bordentown, New Jersey. She was the first recognized American sculptor. She was born on Quaker Farm in Bordentown. In 1748, she married Joseph Wright. Joseph amused her and her 5 children for years by molding faces of putty, bread, dough, and wax. When Patience husband died in 1769, her own pastime became a full-time job when she began earning a living, molding portraits in tinted wax.
When she traveled to England in 1772, she opened a successful wax museum. She is known as the Promethean modeler for her New World egalitarianism, (what you believe in.) She also gave speeches as well as creating artwork. Her son Joseph was a well-known portrait painter. Her daughter, Phoebe married John Hoppner, a British painter. Patience sculpted King George the III and other members of the British royalty and nobility, but the British were not in favor of her because of her support for Colonial cause. Patience supposedly sent messages to America in wax figures she made.
Today Patience’s house still stands at 100 Farnsworth Avenue in Bordentown, New Jersey.
By: Lindsey Davidson
Berkley Street Elementary School
Sealed AIR Corporation
The story of bubble wrap and the people who invented it is very interesting. It all began in 1957 in a garage in Hawthorne, NJ. Two engineers named Marc Chauanres and Al Fielding were trying to make a different type of wallpaper with paper backing. The idea did not sell well, but they did realize their invention could be used as a cushioning packing material. At that time there was not a product that could protect fragile items during shipping. The two men raised $9,000 to fund a developmental product kind. They founded sealed AIR Corporation in 1960. Sealed AIR is a world-wide specialty packing material company.
The way bubble wrap is made is that it starts as plastic resins in the form of beads that go into a long cylinder with a screw that turns the entire length. When the screw turns, heat builds up and melts the resin into a liquid, then out into two stacked sheets of clear plastic film. One sheet is wrapped around a drum with holes in it. Suction is applied, drawing the film into the holes that form the bubbles. The second sheet is laminated over the first. When both sheets of plastic are stuck together it traps the air in the bubbles. The finished product is bubble wrap.
Sealed AIR Corporation has its headquarters in Elmwood Park, NJ. It is a global company operating in over 51 countries with over 7000 employees. Mr. William Hicky is the CEO of the company, and my mom is the corporation receptionist. To all of you at Bubble Wrap: Happy 50th Anniversary!
By: Haley Weininger
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
Glenmont
Did you know that in West Orange, New Jersey you are able to tour the home and gravesite of one of the most brilliant inventors? This famous man created 17 useful inventions, received 1,093 patents, and earned a Congressional Gold Medal. This American wizard was Thomas Alva Edison and Glenmont is the name of his estate.
In 1886, Edison purchased Glenmont and its surrounding land as a wedding present for his second wife, Mina Miller Edison. Glenmont, built of wood, brick, and stone, has twenty-nine rooms decorated in an elaborate Victorian style.
On the first floor, you will tour the Drawing Room, the Tea Parlor, Edison’s Library, the Conservatory, the Dining Room, the Den, the Formal Living Room, the Kitchen, and the Laundry Room. Then, you will climb a wide staircase to the second floor. Here, you will tour three children’s bedrooms, the Family Living Room, one Guest Bedroom, and the Master Bedroom where Edison died.
Throughout the house, you will see stained-glass windows, rich chandeliers, frescoed ceilings, and elaborately carved wood paneling and fireplaces. In addition, the beautiful rooms contain damask-covered furniture, animal rugs, imported statues and paintings, gifts from around the world, family portraits, and many of Edison’s inventions, such as the phonograph.
When the tour is over, you can walk around the Glenmont grounds and see Thomas Edison’s gravesite.
It was spectacular to walk where Thomas Edison once lived. Therefore, make some time to visit the Edison National Historic Site. It was an amazing experience.
By: Krista Wollerman
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
The Prudential Center
“The Rock” or the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ opened its doors on October 25, 2007. The first event was by New Jersey native Jon Bon Jovi, who preformed 10 shows. The $375 million dollar Prudential Center is the first sports and entertainment arena built in the area in 25 years and was made possible by a partnership between the city of Newark and Devil’s Arena Entertainment.
The Prudential Center is the home of the New Jersey’s Devils, MISL’s New Jersey Ironmen, and Seton Hall Men’s Basketball. Concerts, family shows and special events will also be held here. The Prudential Center was built on 7 acres of land and has seating for over 17,000 people. They are expected to host over 200 events per year.
The “Rock” has a great location as it is near transportation. For example, it is near 5 major highways, and it’s only 12 miles from Manhattan. It’s located in downtown Newark blocks away from Newark Penn Station accessible by the PATH, New Jersey Transit, Light Rail Service, and Amtrak. There is also plenty of parking spaces close by.
The arena is going to be recognized as one of the best in the country. It provides many local jobs for the people of Newark. I can’t wait to go for myself. Everyone I know who went had a great time and had positive things to say.
By: Erika Nicole Ramos
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
The Zipper
Have you ever wondered where the zipper was made? If you did, then today is your lucky day because that is just what I am about to tell you. The zipper was made in Hoboken, New Jersey.
This invention was manufactured in Chicago by the Universal Fastener Company then moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and finally Meadville, Pennsylvania. The person who first thought of the idea was Whitcomb L. Judson. He invented something like the zipper called the “clasp locker.”
A man named Gideon Sundback who lived in Hoboken, New Jersey, revised Judson’s original idea. Sundback made it with metal teeth and called it the “separable fastener” in 1913. It then changed when the B.F. Goodrich Company called it the “zipper.”
The world’s largest mass producer of zippers is the YKK Company from Japan.
Today, we use zippers in everything from clothing, to shoes, and bags. Next time you see a zipper, you now know that New Jersey played an important part in this invention that we cannot live without.
By: Spencer Lee
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
Wally Schirra
Have you ever met an astronaut whose family is from the Italian speaking part of Switzerland? Well meet Wally Schirra. He was the only man to fly in all of America’s first three space programs. The space missions were the Mercury8, the Gemini6A, and the Apollo7.Wally was born on March12, 1923 in Hackensack, NJ and grew up in Oradell, NJ.
His father was a pilot and when Wally was 15, he was flying his dad’s airplane. Wally was a boy scout and was ranked First Class in Troop 36 in Oradell, NJ. He graduated from Dwight Morrow High school in Englewood. After Schirra graduated from college he joined the Navy. He served the final months of World War 2.
After the war ended, he trained as a pilot at the NAS Pensacola and entered a fighter squadron. He became only the second naval aviator to log 1,000 hours in jet aircraft. At the beginning of the Korean War Schirra was dispatched to South Korea as an exchange pilot on loan to the US Air Force, he flew 90 combat missions. When Wally was done serving in the war on April 2, 1959 he was chosen as one of the original seven American astronauts.
On October 3, 1962 Schirra became the fifth American in space piloting the Mercury8 on a mission lasting 9 hours, 13 minutes, and 11 seconds. On December 15, 1965, Schirra flew into space again on the Gemini6A. The Gemini6A wasn’t able to dock and it landed in the Atlantic Ocean. On October 11, 1968, Schirra became the first man to fly in space three times on his final flight as commander of Apollo7.
Sadly, Wally Schirra passed away on May 3, 2007. If you go to Oradell, there’s a park named after him and you can see his house. He was a great NJ legacy!
By: Max Piasevoli
B.F. Gibbs Elementary School
