Several students received awards for their artwork, along with cash prizes.
First Place – Painting
“The Itch” by Thaili Nemelc
“Untitled” by Juan Gutierrez Garcia
“Snowfall” by Iris Mercado
First Place – Mixed Media
“Mad Dog” by Aiden Lafferty Taylor
Honorable Mentions
“It’s Not Your Fault” (Mixed Media) by Megan Makosky
“The Dog” by Kyeigh McArthur
“A Child’s Oblivion” by Angelina Tyler
“Turtle” by Rosa Bermudez
“Turtle” by Athalia Lopez Perez
We are proud of all the students who participated and represented Vineland High School. Their creativity and dedication continue to inspire our school community. Congratulations to all of our talented artists!
The Vineland Board of Education recognized the winner of the district’s annual Future Chef competition—an event that invites elementary students to create and present healthy, original recipes—in a special ceremony held on April 1st, 2026. Paul Coia of Rossi Elementary School, winner of the 2026 competition, earned top honors with his dish, “Paulie’s Cluck-Tastic Tacos.”
Originally held on March 12, 2026 at Wallace Middle School, the competition featured student finalists representing each elementary school. The event is sponsored by the district’s food service provider, Sodexo, whose continued support helps make opportunities like this possible. As part of the recognition ceremony, Coia prepared his award-winning recipe for board members and Landis central administration staff.
The event also included remarks from 2025 Future Chef winner Dallas Johnson, who reflected on his positive experience in the program, including the opportunity to prepare his dish for the Vineland Soup Kitchen. He concluded by passing his chef’s hat and title on to Coia.
The district is proud of Paul’s accomplishment and commends all participating students for their creativity, effort, and enthusiasm in making this year’s Future Chef competition a success, and extends its appreciation to Sodexo for their ongoing partnership and support.
The Vineland High School JAG program was recognized at the Wednesday, April 1st, 2026 Vineland Board of Education meeting for earning the prestigious “6 of 6” Award — the highest honor given by Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG).
This distinction means the program met or exceeded all six national performance goals, including graduation rate, employment outcomes, continued education, and student connectivity after graduation. Achieving “6 of 6” status places the program among the top-performing JAG programs in the nation.
During the meeting, program director Mr. Robert Rush, along with several JAG students, shared insights into the program’s impact, speaking about the opportunities it provides and the meaningful experiences that have helped shape their futures. Sandra G. Strothers, Ph.D., executive director for JAG New Jersey, also presented on behalf of the program, highlighting its success and the significance of this achievement.
This recognition reflects the strength of the program and the dedication of both its students and leadership in preparing young people for success beyond high school.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. The event will still feature the same exciting activities, including the race/run, bouncy house, music, food, and more. Participants who have already registered will automatically be included in the updated schedule.
For those unable to attend on the new date, ticket transfers or refunds are available upon request.
For questions or additional information, please contact:
- JoDenise Muller at jmuller@vineland.org
- Marcus Knowlton at mknowlton@vineland.org
- Tashea Jackson-Medley at tjacksonmedley@vineland.org
Vineland Public Schools is proud to support one of our very own young learners!
Meet Jackson, a 7-year-old from Vineland with a passion for wildlife and nature. He loves catching insects, researching reptiles, and exploring the outdoors. He dreams of becoming a wildlife biologist one day and is excited to grow a monarch butterfly garden with his Pop Pop this summer.
Jackson is competing in the Junior Ranger contest for a chance to win an experience with Jeff Corwin and $20,000. This experience is sponsored by the Jr. Ranger organization in partnership with Ranger Rick, Hipcamp, and the National Wildlife Federation. Winning also includes an appearance in Ranger Rick magazine. To advance, he needs daily votes through multiple rounds.
Please consider supporting Jackson by voting below:
https://jr-ranger.org/2026/jackson-9ef7
More information on the organization and contest can be found here:
https://jr-ranger.org/
Thank you for your support!
At each workshop, students were led through discussions and demonstrations about the ways that different fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics connect to their lived experiences, and how the same field of study in college can lead to very different career paths within STEM.
Studying biochemistry or pharmacology can lead to a career in formulating prescription medications for animals ranging from cats and dogs to horses and cattle—even to gorillas, turtles, and fish.
In another session, the intersection of engineering and medicine was demonstrated through the use of an electrophoresis apparatus, a device that uses electricity to separate segments of DNA to test patient samples for the presence or absence of certain medical conditions.
At another workshop, students learned to test water quality and saw how the principles of chemistry and environmental science can directly impact their daily lives.
Finally, an overview of cybersecurity concepts gave students a window into how they can manage their own digital privacy and safety, as well as pursue higher education that prepares them for career paths in information technology, computer science, and cybersecurity.
Overall, the experience provided students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities to deepen their understanding of STEM fields, explore potential academic pathways, and see the real-world impact of what they learn in the classroom.
This free event is open to individuals and families with children ages 10 and older, and no experience is needed. All equipment and bait will be provided, making it a great opportunity to try something new in a relaxed, supportive setting.
The workshop will take place on April 21, 2026 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Anthony Campanella Park in Vineland, NJ.
Pre-registration is required. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a participating adult guardian. Participants ages 16 to 69 will need a 2026 New Jersey Fishing License and Trout Stamp.
Register here: https://forms.office.com/g/z9i2E0NczV
Join us on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Gittone Stadium from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for a morning filled with fun, connection, and community.
The event will feature interactive booths and activities, opportunities to learn about school and community resources, and entertainment and performances by student groups. Families can also enjoy free books and refreshments throughout the event.
We look forward to welcoming our school community as we kick off the new school year together!
This session will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Participants will explore strategies for financial self-education, setting goals, and making informed decisions for long-term stability.
Hosted by the New Jersey Family Engagement Hub in partnership with MassMutual New Jersey-NYC, this workshop features presenters Tina Zoppi and Chris Hernandez. Register through the link or scan the QR code on the flyer to attend.
Orders can be placed using the following link: https://mbmsports.chipply.com/vinehscrew
We invite all students, families, and members of the district community to take part. A variety of items are available, offering something for everyone who would like to represent Vineland Crew with pride.
Please note that the online store will close on Sunday, March 29th at midnight, and no additional orders will be accepted after that time. Thank you for your continued support of the Vineland High School Crew team.
A special thank you to Joe Berg, Chief of Staff to Senator Vince Polistina, Assemblyman Don Guardian, and Vineland’s own Senator Michael L. Testa Jr. and Assemblyman Antwan L. McClellan for providing a personal tour of both the New Jersey Senate and General Assembly chambers. Their time, insight, and hospitality made this experience especially meaningful for our students.
Throughout the day, our VHS JAG students demonstrated the leadership, professionalism, and communication skills they practice in the classroom every day. We are proud to see them represent Vineland High School with such confidence and excellence.
Calling all middle school filmmakers in New Jersey!
The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is hosting a Middle School PSA Video Contest for students in 5th through 8th grade.
Students are invited to create a 30-second peer-to-peer public service announcement focused on the dangers of substance misuse. Entries will be judged on creativity, message content, and overall ability to be produced, and the winning PSA featuring the student creators will be shared across New Jersey.
The contest is open to individual students or groups, and teachers may submit more than one team. All participants will receive a certificate, and one winning submission will receive a $1,000 prize.
All videos must be submitted online by April 24, 2026, and must follow contest guidelines, including using only original, non-copyrighted content.
For full contest rules, submission details, and to view past winners, visit drugfreenj.org/mspsa and drugfreenj.org/MSPSAwinners. For questions, contact Julia Egan at 973-275-7985 or Julia@DrugFreeNJ.org.
At VPS, we are proud to foster a culture that values collaboration, innovation, and student-centered learning—all grounded in our Portrait of a Graduate competencies.
If you—or someone you know—is looking to join a supportive, forward-focused school community, we encourage you to apply.
📩 Apply today: hr@vineland.org
👤 Send your resume to: Dr. Kristen Speakman
📱 Follow our journey: @vps_hr
They enjoyed a guided tour themed, “Around the World”, and sketched along the way. LEAP Art and Art Club students were able to explore different rooms that replicated Medieval, Roman, and early-century Japanese buildings and structures. They were ecstatic to see famous paintings in-person, especially by some of their favorite artists like Van Gogh.
This was the first time these students visited the museum, and were so engaged and respectful. We are so proud of these students representing Durand Dolphins, and being wonderful students and artists!
Students were welcomed at the College of Education in James Hall by Dr. Gaëtane Jean-Marie, Dean of the College of Education, and Mr. Dennis Rivera, Vineland Board of Education Vice President and Rowan University Assessment Coordinator. Mr. Rivera personally greeted students and presented them with commemorative t-shirts to mark the occasion. They were also welcomed by Dr. Catherine Michener (Critical Literacy, Technology & Multilingual Education), Dr. Brooke Hoffman (Lecturer), and Gokhan Alkanat (Associate Provost for International Education).
Students learned about programs and resources for multilingual learners and toured key campus spaces, including the Learning Resource Center and the university preschool. The visit also included a student panel, an admissions presentation, a guided campus tour, and lunch at Holly Pointe Commons.
Vineland Supervisor of Multilingual Learners, World Languages, and 9-12 Performing Arts, Jacqueline Roman-Alvarez, encouraged students to recognize their ability to succeed, highlighting their accomplishment of earning college credits while still in high school.
Students left the campus with a deeper understanding of college life and a strong sense of the support systems available to help them achieve their future goals.
Missed opening weekend? There’s still time to catch The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition!
Join us for another weekend of laughs, music, and undersea adventure as our talented cast brings Bikini Bottom to life.
Presented by the Vineland All Middle School Productions (VAMP), performances will take place at Veterans Memorial School, located at 424 S. Main Road in Vineland, NJ, on Friday, March 27 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 28 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Tickets are available at the door for $15 for adults and $10 for students.
Don’t miss your chance to soak up the fun — it’s going to be a fin-tastic time!
On March 24, 2026, 21 VHS students participated in this prestigious competition at Temple University in Philadelphia and earned an incredible 21 medals!
The participants included Cintia Francisco Hernandez, Kingston Fuller, Zaniyya McKever, Renata Ramirez Lecona, Vanessa Sandoval, Gurtejbir Singh, Justin Smith, Wyatt Troller, Nicole Vasquez, Bella Garcia Santiago, Areli Mondragon, Jaylah Moore, Mariia Manannikov, Ilya Pikulik, Daniel Man Singh Pradhan, Mariia Boieva, Deena Margolin, Vladimir Manannikov, Vadym Rybalka, Davyd Radyvonik, and Ester Sbitnieva. They competed in the Regular, Heritage, and Native Speaker divisions, based on their proficiency level and years of Russian study.
Students completed a wide range of challenging tasks in three commissions. In Commission 1 (Oral Speech), they engaged in conversations with judges using one of ten scenarios on topics such as personal background, home and family life, school, community, sports, hobbies, movies, music, and weather. In Commission 2 (Russian Area Studies), students delivered presentations focused on Russian geography, landmarks, major cities, music, art, and literature. In Commission 3 (Poetry and Narrative), they recited a Russian poem from memory and retold one of the short stories they had studied in class.
This year, VHS students earned an impressive total of 15 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 1 bronze medal. Judges for the competition represented Temple University, the University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Municipal Authorities, and private businesses.
Beyond the excitement of winning awards across multiple levels and commissions, the Olympiada gave students a valuable opportunity to strengthen their confidence in speaking Russian, showcase their knowledge of Russian culture and civilization, experience a sense of accomplishment, receive recognition for their hard work in mastering a demanding language, connect with Russian language students from other schools, and tour the Temple University Student Center.
Congratulations to our students on their remarkable achievements and for representing the VHS Russian program with excellence!
A heartfelt thank you to Debbie Eisinger for coordinating this meaningful opportunity, to Dr. Martine, our Safety Patrol advisor, for guiding our students, and to our incredible Rossi community for donating the items that made today possible.
We are so proud of our students for leading with kindness and showing what it means to give back.
The event recording can be found on our official district YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/N8ftrJrnFFw
