TOMS RIVER – The energy in the room was electric for the 2025 “Salute to Ocean County: A Celebration of Arts and Heritage,” a vibrant tribute to the area’s creative spirit, held at Ocean County College.
Presented by the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission in collaboration with the college, the annual event recognized more than artistic talent – it celebrated the stories, history, and individuals who help preserve and promote the region’s cultural identity. Elected officials, educators, artists, students, and preservation advocates came together for an evening of awards, performances, and inspiration.
Ocean County College President Dr. Pamela Monaco acknowledged that in higher education there’s a great deal of emphasis on technology and science, “but it’s the arts and culture that remind us of who we are, where we came from, and reminds us too – of the power of creativity.”
The Path Of History
Timothy G. Hart, Division Director of the Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Commission, opened the event with a short film tracing the county’s Revolutionary War history. The presentation introduced the ambitious Ocean County Revolutionary War Trail project, which aims to reintroduce the stories of figures like John Bacon and Joshua Huddy to new generations through cinematic documentaries and educational initiatives.
“We were involved in a culture war,” Hart said, noting that issues like race, immigration, and loyalty were just as pressing then as they are now. “About 10 percent of the population was enslaved. Native Americans, the Lenapes, were involved. Immigration was the hot issue – most immigrants sided with the king.”
The trail, which will span six significant conflict sites across Ocean County, will use park systems, schools, and regional partnerships to share personal stories and promote heritage tourism.
Toms River High School North students performed a dance routine “Fire on Fire.” (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Student Documentarians
A major highlight of the evening was the unveiling of student-produced documentaries that profiled honorees. Central Regional High School earned top recognition and an additional $1,000 for its award-winning film about the Ocean County Artists Guild, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. Their documentary highlighted the Guild’s founding by seven women in 1957 and its continued role in nurturing creativity through monthly exhibitions and inclusive programming.
Pinelands Regional High School’s students captured the heart of Virginia E. Haines Historic Advocate Award recipient Dr. Jeffrey Schenker, known for his immersive presentations as historical figures like Joshua Huddy, teaching and heading up the Ocean County Historical Society Museum. In the film, Schenker remarked, “If you talk about history correctly, it shouldn’t just be facts and dates and rote memory. It’s truly about people whose footprints, footsteps came before us. And I tried to bring those people to life.”
Another touching film by Southern Regional High School profiled the Barnegat Light Historical Society, recipient of the Historic Preservation Award. President Karen Larson shared heartfelt memories of growing up in Barnegat Light and emphasized the importance of bringing history to life for children through creative museum programs.
“R.K. in Charcoal” by Central Regional High School’s Brooke Baranyay was one of the teen art pieces shown. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Bridging The Arts And Military
The ceremony also welcomed a special guest speaker, Lt. Col. Dannielle R. Carroll-Wakem from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, who proved that the arts and military service are not mutually exclusive. A studio art major before joining the Army, she delivered one of the evening’s most memorable speeches.
“The Army employs talented artists and communicators whose work tells our story, documents our history and uplifts the spirit,” she said. “Those who serve these roles are not just decorative, they’re essential, but beyond the technical skills, the arts develop something even more profound, the ability to think critically and creatively.”
Carroll-Wakem added that a mindset of innovation, adaptation and possibility is vital in every profession. She credited artists of all kinds with the ability to improvise, problem solve and create something new out of nothing.
Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr. (R-9th) received the Lila W. Thompson Government Recognition Award. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Government Representatives Honored
Senator Carmen F. Amato, Jr. (R-9th) received the first Lila W. Thompson Government Recognition Award, named after the first woman legislator from Ocean County. The award highlights the critical role state legislators play in securing funding for arts and heritage through the New Jersey Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax.
Amato, a lifelong Berkeley Township resident, former mayor, and current state senator, was visibly moved. He pledged to continue to advocate for more state funding for Ocean County’s Cultural and Heritage Commission and the college itself.
County Commissioner Virginia “Ginny” Haines was honored with the John C. Bartlett Jr. Government Leadership Award, accompanied by a film made by students from Lacey Township High School. Monaco described Haines as a “trailblazer and role model” whose leadership has left an indelible mark on the county.
Haines reflected on the values she learned from her parents and the importance of preserving open space. “There are about 30,000 acres in Ocean County that will never be developed,” she said proudly.
Ocean County Commissioners Robert Arace and Jennifier Bacchione were both present at the event and delivered words of congratulations to all of the award recipients.
“Virtual Insanity” was performed by the Southern Regional High School Honors Select Choir. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Teen Arts On Display
Outstanding student performances were selected from the Ocean County Teen Arts Festival, where more than 1,100 students participated across 14 schools this spring. Teen artists displayed their visual art in the venue, while others took the stage for dance, theater, and music.
“We hosted 37 workshops and drop-in activities,” said Jaclyn Wood, Coordinator of the Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts. “We had 479 art entries adjudicated by our judges.”
Highlights at the awards ceremony included a synchronized and energetic performance of “Virtual Insanity” by the Southern Regional High School Honors Select Choir and a dramatic dance routine “Fire on Fire” by four Toms River High School North students. A moving performance of “The Murder Was Staged” by students from Ocean County Vocational Technical School Grunin Performing Arts Academy was also presented. A student film entitled “Risk” by Jackson Liberty High School was also presented.
“Flaneur” by Point Pleasant Borough High School’s Michel Zoppel was one of the teen art pieces shown. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
A complete list of Teen Arts Outstanding Achievement Awards and the names of local arts and heritage organizations receiving Local Arts Program grants can be found in the 2025 Summer issue of Ocean County Out & About found here: co.ocean.nj.us/WebContentFiles/0e74b478-654d-48d9-8b26-7e220511197b.pdf
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