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Video: Bonnie Brae Knights Drum Corps

COACH'S CORNER
Young Alumni News

Welcome to Coach's Corner, where I will be telling our Alumni what is going on at the “Brae”. You will also be able to e-mail or call me and let me know how you are doing and what you are doing. I will then put this information on this page so that other Alumni will know how you are doing.

If you hear about one of the guys who used to be here or if they don’t have access to email, please give them my number to call me or leave me a message about how to contact them.

Hopefully, by opening this means of communication we can help establish a “Young Alumni” association and maybe coordinate a few events in the future where we all can renew old friendships and see how everyone is doing.

I will also forward the information to the development office and they can maintain the information to help us provide better care and programming in the future for the current residents here at the “Brae”.

To find out what has been going on please go to Braevision TV and look at the work of Braevision Studios, and then click on the Band Logo on the main page to see the various news stories leading up to the Inaugural Parade.

CONTACT ME

TOM MELVIN
BRAEVISION Coordinator
Athletic Director
Bonnie Brae School
COACH@bonnie-brae.org
908-647-4716

August 02, 2010

I'M BACK!!

Hi Guys, I'm Back!!! Sorry it has taken so long to update Coach's Corner, but here it is:

SPORTS

The varsity volleyball team had a good year but there was no 3-peat in the cards for Mr. Joseph and the Knights. They only had 2 returning players from the previous year but they still came up with a winning season. The team played their hearts out every game and they came close every game. Hats off for Mr. Joseph and his team for a successful season where everyone played and everyone contributed, a cornerstone of Bonnie Brae's philosophy toward team sports.

For the varsity basketball team we had our first championship since the 2000 - 2001 Season! Mr. Kelley's team won their first championship under his direction and it came with the trademarks of Mr. Kelley's philosophy: play aggressive defense, press the other team, and take advantage of the other team's turnovers, and push, push, push the basketball up the court. The games were exciting to watch, and again everyone shared playing time and everyone contributed. The Championship Game was held here at Bonnie Brae, and Deron brought a busload of students and staff. We had a great turnout from our own students and staff, and it felt like the championships that my teams won in the past. Everybody was cheering, gym was electric, and both crowds were under control...High school sports the way it was meant to be played! Great job for Mr. Kelley and his team!

The JV basketball team's play was once again exciting from start to finish. They had several games that were decided by 2 points or less and once again everyone contributed to a successful season. Looking at the younger guys play it looks like the Bonnie Brae Basketball varsity team will be strong in the future.

The varsity softball team did not repeat their Championship of last year but it was still a very successful season. Again we only had 3 returning players, so Mr. Schmitt again had his hands full. He and his staff worked hard on their fundamentals and every player improved from the first day of practice, which after all, is the point of every team playing.

NOW LET'S TALK ABOUT ALUMNI DAY!

Once again, we want to invite all Alumni and Former Residents to come out for a day of fun.

Friday, August 13^th, 2010
10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

As you all remember this is the last awards assembly before everyone leaves for Canada on Sunday the 15th. Come back and share your Canada stories with current residents.

10:00 - 11:00 - Welcome back, registration, basketball
11:00 - 12:00 - Awards assembly (old gym)
12:00 - 02:00 - Barbecue, games

AFTERCARE

Now, on a more serious note I would like to try to get a message out to all former residents:

If you or another former resident are having trouble making ends meet, or you need someone to talk to, please be aware that we are out there for you.

We can help! Call Shuneka Harrison at ext. 818 to arrange for aftercare services. We can help but you need to take the first step.

August 02, 2009

January 20, 2009

The art department has been preparing for the upcoming annual art show. It is a lot earlier this year, so students have had to work extra hard to present their best work for the show. Featured are some ceramic tiles from our youngest students, which will be come part of a permanent mural in the New Rec building. A favorite project, airbrushed self-portraits, are once again on display. Since ceramics is a big part of the program, we have some outstanding animals and bowls this year. Rounding out the display are drawings, pastel landscapes and mixed media pieces. The show begins with an opening reception from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 24th and runs through Sunday, February 1st. If you are unable to attend the reception, please visit us at a later date. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

After our show, students will begin to gear up for Spring. We look forward to begin work on several projects: a new ceramic mural for the New Rec hallway and a fundraiser project for a local food bank. We are planning to create a series of unique soup bowls. Stay tuned for the details.

January 01, 2009

Light, Camera, Action…

Well, it's been a while since the last Coach's Corner update, but what a great time it's been around here!

I'll start with the biggest news first, and that is the Bonnie Brae Knights drum corps is going to play in the Inaugural Parade for President Barack Obama.

This explains the various news headers in top of Coach's Corner. We have had all of the various news and print organizations here for stories on the drum corps and the upcoming Parade on January 20th. Word went out once the Knights were chosen to play that they didn't have the budget to pull it off and people have come out of the woodwork to help. What started off as a Bonnie Brae event has turned into a community event with the generosities of so many people and organizations within our tri-state area.

Now for the rest of the School. The Varsity Volleyball team won its second straight NJNCAA Championship under Mr. Joseph and Mr. Giousis, our new Physical Education Teacher and Coach. They beat our arch-rival Chancellor Academy in a great match that went 5 games.

The Varsity Basketball Team is currently undefeated in league play and hopefully that will continue when we get back from vacation.

Friends and Family night was another great night celebrating the "successes" that students are having this school year. Most of the Alumni may not realize that we have four different programs in the School now: ADL students have experienced a school year filled with caring and sharing. Guest Chefs from among Bonnie Brae Staff have shared recipes and their cooking talents weekly with the students. Students guided by Mrs. Layman, the ADL Teacher, prepared, packaged, and sold cheesecakes to staff. Profits from this fundraiser went to Bridges Outreach, Inc., a non-profit that helps to feed hungry and homeless people.

New Rec is a program for the younger students that we have. Next we have the PACE Program for the intermediate students then we have the regular School Program for the older students. The last one is The Brae Builders. This is by invitation only and the class spends 2 days out of the week partnering with Habitat for Humanity and helping to build houses for those less fortunate.

It is becoming the "New Mantra" for Bonnie Brae to "give back to others."

July 2008

March 2008

We are back everyone,
    
     It’s been a while since our last update. First let’s talk sports. Our Varsity Volleyball Team won the NJNCAA League Championship blowing out Chancellor Academy in three straight games. It was a great season for the team under the direction of Mr. Ronan Joseph and Mr. Jon Paduano.  Intramural football ended up with Mr. Spruill and the Bears winning the football Championship. They had a great season as did all the teams who took part in the intramural football program. Participation was at an all-time high with more students than ever playing for the 5 teams.

     Varsity Basketball is off to a great start under Mr. Kelley and Mr. Frayne, our new Phys-ed teacher, with a current record of 10-1 and a second place spot in the league standings. This year we have 14 teams in the league and it has been very competitive. We won our last game at Beadleston, 106-103, an NBA score!

     The JV Basketball Team has had a great season.  Playing a seven game schedule has allowed them to learn the various defenses and offenses they will use in their future basketball careers. They have been coached by Mr. Soranno and Mr. Frayne, who have done a wonderful job in making this a positive experience for all involved.

     BRAEVISION has been busy documenting everything that has been going on. The Crew has produced over 35 DVD’s of the Christmas Play for all involved, over 65 DVD’s of the latest edition of “Puttin on the Hits”. The Talent Show was another big production run of over 30 DVD’s for all the students involved and their families. This is in addition to the BVTV shows being aired and the various websites that BRAEVISION has worked to produce content for, from the Red Cross to the Bernardsville Chamber of Commerce (for the upcoming “Taste of the Chamber”).  This as well as producing content for our own website.

     The Art Department has been busy since fall, learning a technique for making press molds out of casting plaster.  Their teacher, Mrs. LaForge, brought the technique back from a workshop she attended this summer.  Many students from the art classes have participated in making the original molds and the ceramic tiles.  The completed tiles range from small magnets and 3" tiles to 8" plaques.  The glazed plaques will be sold on campus with all proceeds going to "Smile Train", the organization which provides operations to children born with cleft palates.  This is the second year that students have been involved in raising money for this worthy charity. 

     The total money raised for the “Smile Train” so far is over $600.00. What a fantastic job by all involved for such a great cause!

     Ceramics have taken a front row seat this year as students have produced some of the most sophisticated pieces ever.  We have increased interest in working on the pottery wheel thanks to Charlie, a student who came to us with some good skills and prior training.  The voc building showcase is full of the fine hand built work done this year.

     Art students at Bonnie Brae are looking forward to exhibiting their work at the Hunterdon Museum of Art in Clinton, from Saturday, April 19th through May 3rd.  They are busy airbrushing their portraits, working in clay, and doing projects in papermaking and Egyptian hieroglyphics.  It is shaping up to be a great show. 

     Busy times with lots of activities kept the vocational building humming these past few months.  Mrs. Layman, ADL teacher and Mrs. Singleton, English teacher, began the Holiday Play practices in the ADL room before moving to the theater for the final rehearsals.  Down the hall in the art room, Mrs. LaForge with a group of talented students created costume props, backdrops and scenery for the play.  Twenty students spent many weeks learning their lines to make the play a success.  As special recognition of their accomplishment, in January the Holiday Play cast and crew traveled to New York City for a special Italian dinner and the Blue Man Group theater experience. 

     In addition to theater activities, students in the ADL classes baked holiday cookies, assembled and decorated gingerbread houses and cooked three course roast chicken dinners.  Believe it or not sautéed spinach became a requested side dish!  Aromas continued to linger throughout the building as Super Bowl week was a special favorite for the students as they prepared buffalo chicken wings, pepperoni bread, onion bread, Giant Lemon Bars, and Patriot Apple Caramel Bars.  Lately, Mardi Gras recipes such as Emeril LaGasse’s Chicken and Sausage Gumbo and King cakes, iced with festive colors of frosting have kept the place humming.

     The Bonnie Brae Knights have been rehearsing each week and have performed at Fellowship Village, school assemblies, ant the Tartan Ball.

The Recreation Department has been very busy with:

• Our annual Luau party
• Holiday magic show
• Holiday Express show
• Friends and Family Night
• A visit from Santa Claus

     Which leads us to the weekend of March 1st. On Saturday, March 1, 2008, the 22nd Annual Tartan Ball, our largest fundraiser of the year, was held at Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, NJ. The theme for this year’s Ball was “Braveheart”. This theme was chosen to honor the former residents and staff that have served in Iraq, Afghanistan, or any of the trouble spots that threaten our world.

     We have several staff that were recognized: Mrs. Lori Nunes from the school staff, Tyson Knight and Sandra Bethea from the residential staff. But what really made it special was the return of Tim Yeager, from the class of 1998. Tim’s biography is included here and his speech is under the Braevision videos. Tim was a former Captain of the Knight’s Basketball team and a member of BRAEVISION while he was here. His speech brought the house down!

                                                           
Mr. Bill Powers, Tim Yeager, Coach Tom Melvin

Tim Yeager:

1999 Left Bonnie Brae and moved to Dover, DE finished HS at Caesar Rodney HS in Dover DE.  Worked as a furniture delivery person for 2 years, while moonlighting at a hoagie joint, a grocery store overnight stockman, Wal-Mart, Banquet server at the Sheraton in Dover.

2000 had my first child Le`Lani Mari Yeager on Sep. 8th 2000

2001 Joined the Air Force as a Power Production Technician

2001-2003 In the Air Force stationed at McChord AFB, WA served 2.5 years there than.  Coached Basketball at Youth Center 2 seasons age’s 9-11, Assistant coach on
Pop Warner Team midget league 11-15.  Deployed to Kandahar Afghanistan from March 02-August 02.

2003-2004 Lajes Field Azores (Terceira Island off the coast of Portugal) served there for 15 months.  Coached Youth Center Basketball 1 season ages 6-9.  Deployed to Baghdad IAP from June 03-November 03.

2004-2007 Holloman AFB, NM served there for 2 years.  Coached Youth Center 11-15 y/o basketball 1 season, as well as coached baseball 9-11 for a season.  Wanted to coach football but got deployed again to Baghdad from August 04-February 05.  Got married May 6 2006 to Natasha Broughton, whom I met when stationed in Washington.  Had my second daughter Tamia Lin Yeager on January 6 2007

2007-present Separated from the Air Force as an E-5 (staff sergeant) after fulfilling my 6 year commitment.  Received Electricians License (NEC version) in April and worked for Cummins NW for 3 months.  I than resigned from there to take a position on McChord AFB as a Power Plant Duty Engineer (Civil Service WG-10) I kinda missed being affiliated with the military but I didn’t miss going to the sandbox every other year, so this has been perfect for me. 

Well, once again that’s it from the Brae. Keep calling and emailing me. If you want me to forward your email to any staff just let me know.

Till next month, behave,

Coach.

November 2007

Date to Remember
Friends and Family Night November 15, 2007

Hi,
Well, we’re back in school for a month and it has flown by! We ended school on a very positive note with a large graduating class and with many young alumni and former staff members in attendance.

Now back to this year. We started school in high gear right from opening day. The band has done several performances in different venues, (i.e. Tartan Golf Classic, Far Hills Country Day School, Community Access Unlimited), and now two performances at Disney World and a national conference.

Braevision has done several projects for The Greater Somerset County Chapter of The American Red Cross. The first BRAECAST that we have added to our website is the one in which Bonnie Brae worked with the Bernards Township Chamber of Commerce. We staged a Blood Drive in honor of September 11th. “Remembering 911…” was a huge success. We amazed the Red Cross by holding a blood drive with only 9 days notice and over 30 pints donated: a true “community” effort.

Mrs. Kathy Layman and her team of Chefs baked up “goodies” and then distributed them in their “chef” outfits to all that donated blood. People from the community are still talking about how great all the kids were, from directing people in, to the “Chefs” and their goodies, to the members of BRAEVISION that interviewed them. They looked sharp in their BRAEVISION shirts talking to visitors in general as they waited their turn in the “chair”. I would also like to thank all the staff from all over campus and their family members who came in just to give blood. IT WAS TRULY A COMMUNITY EFFORT!!!

The AMBASSADORS have been very busy doing tours, special events such as the Tartan Golf Classic, the Tunnel to Towers Run in New York, and feeding the homeless and hungry in Manhattan.

In sports, the Varsity Volleyball Team is one and one, with a victory over the Deron School in the 5th game and a loss to Chancellor Academy in the 5th game. They are always our closest rivals. Mr. Joseph and Mr. Paduano have done a great job in preparing the student-athletes for the games. Keep up the good work!!!

Mr. Postal has started a Cross Country/Track Team and they have been training regularly. They will take part in a 2-Mile Run held at Chancellor Academy later this month.

Intramural Football is starting up again. We have held the draft and several practices and everyone is ready to play. The teams are very even and it should be a great season. Everyone will be trying to keep Mr. Spruill’s Bears from repeating. Mr. Hochman, who has won 2 super bowls in the past, has come back to teach and has resurrected the Patriots. Good luck to all!

Well, that’s it from the Brae. Keep calling and emailing me. If you want me to forward your emails to different staff members or let them know you called or your phone number, just let me know.

Till then, Behave.
Coach