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Why Miss Teen USA, North Jersey 17-Year-Old Is Giving Up Her Crown
Miss Teen USA, a Morris Plains native, is giving up her crown.
UmaSofia Srivastava, 17, made the announcement on Instagram on Wednesday, May 8, saying her personal values no longer fully align with the "direction of the organization."
"I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens, and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title," said Srivastava, who was crowned last September in Reno, NV.
"I will always look back on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA fondly, and the experience of representing my state as a first generation, Mexican-I…
'Deeply Offensive:' 30 Dwight-Englewood 7th Graders Were On Racist Text Chain, Admin Says
The Dwight-Englewood school, a private school in Bergen County, said more than 30 7th grade boys were involved in a text chain that featured racist language.
In a letter sent to parents, Jeremy Gregersen, the head of school, said the texts contained highly-charged language and anti-Black, racist memes.
"My stomach dropped even further as I found that my son was included in the text chain," Gregersen said.
Gregersen said the boys on the text chain have various degrees of culpability. Some simply said nothing, others laughed and egged it on while others posted offensive comments and memes, G…
Stephanie Weymouth, Victim Killed In NJ Crash, Was Enthusiastic Teacher Who Led Full Life
Stephanie Weymouth, a Wilmington, Mass. native, is being remembered for her passion for teaching and performing after being killed in a car crash earlier this month in Jersey City.
The 31-year-old Bayonne resident was killed Saturday, Feb. 3, in a car crash after the vehicle she was riding in struck the back of a tractor trailer, authorities said.
A 2010 graduate of Wilmington High School in Massachusetts, Weymouth moved to New Jersey to attend Drew University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in theater arts, and later receiving a master's degree in education, according to her obitua…
Christine Grogan, Wyckoff Resident, Dies After Three-Year ALS Battle
Christine Grogan, a 60-year-old Wyckoff resident, died on Sunday, Dec. 31, three years after being diagnosed with ALS.
A special education teacher, Grogan worked as director of the Epic School in Paramus and for the Learners' Compass in Tenafly, according to her obituary. Grogan was devoted to helping people diagnosed with autism.
Grogan was married to Christopher Grogan, a Glen Ridge police officer. The Glen Ridge Police Benevolent Association has established a fundraiser to assist with funeral costs. As of Friday, Jan. 5, more than $10,000 has been raised.
On Sunday, December 31, 202…
Sudden Death Of NJ District's Former Superintendent Spreads Shock, Sadness
A New Jersey school district is mourning the loss of its former superintendent.
Miguel Hernandez, 58, was currently serving as interim assistant principal at Manchester Regional High School in Passaic County, after retiring as superintendent in 2021. He died on Thursday, Nov. 9, at 58.
In response to Hernandez's passing, the school district held an early dismissal on Monday, Nov. 13.
"Losing Dr. Hernandez leaves a profound absence in our school community," Superintendent Gary Lubisco, Jr. said in a letter. "He was a valued member of our school community and will be deeply missed by studen…
Former Long Branch Cheerleader, Youth Counselor Kayla Clayton Dies, 31
Kayla Clayton, a New Jersey native who relocated to the Washington DC area, died on Oct. 10 at 31 years old.
A cause of death was not listed, however, her obituary on the Lawson Funeral Home website notes that Kayla "fought a good fight."
Kayla Felice Clayton, who was raised in Long Branch where she was a high school cheerleader, went on to attend Virginia State University, where she graduated with her bachelor's in psychology, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Kayla's obituary says she received a full scholarship to a study abroad program in Boswana, Africa, where she performed res…
Could Princeton Grad Maggie Sajak Replace Vanna White On 'Wheel Of Fortune?'
Could Maggie Sajak replace Vanna White on "Wheel Of Fortune?"
White herself certainly thinks so, she told E! News. She's filled in before, anyway.
We’re keeping it in the family – meet our special guest letter-turner, Maggie Sajak! @patsajak #Family #FamilyTime #WheelOfFortune pic.twitter.com/QJCEqzuXtz — Wheel of Fortune (@WheelofFortune) January 7, 2020
Maggie, 28, grew up in Severna Park, MD, and earned her undergrad degree from Princeton University, before completing law school at Columbia University.
She currently handles social correspondence for "Wheel Of Fortune," and as her d…
These Are The Top-Ranked Private High Schools In Bergen County, Website Says
We've seen the list of Bergen County's best public high schools, but what about the private ones?
Niche has a report for that, too.
The community and school ranking site has released its 2023 report of "Best Private High Schools in Bergen County."
These five private schools, which all earned an A+, were ranked among the best in the county by Niche:
No. 1: Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood
No. 2: Primoris Academy, Westwood
No. 3: Saddle River Day School, Saddle River
No. 4: Bergen Catholic High School, Oradell
No. 5: Academy of the Holy Angels, Demarest
Going to…
