Cherry Hill Sun

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  • Camden Catholic students earn academic merit

    Three Camden Catholic High School have been recognized for academic achievement by the National Merit Scholarship Program.

    Kuyill Ponnappan is a 2026 National Merit semifinalist, and Andrew George and Declan Rotter were both named Commended Students in the program.

    Photos courtesy of Camden Catholic High School

    The National Merit Scholarship Program is an annual competition based on academic achievements among high-school juniors to recognize their accomplishments and offer scholarships for their undergraduate studies.

    The program is conducted by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. High-school students enter by taking the PSAT or the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test, an initial screening for 1.3 million entrants each year.

    Ponnappan had been studying for the competition; one of her two older siblings was a Commended Scholar herself.

    “I kind of wanted to, like, beat her, but I was shocked when I received this honor,” Ponnappan acknowledged. “But I thought it was something to really be proud of. And my parents were obviously really proud of me, and I feel like it was a really big thing for our school.”

    Ponnappan’s study involved use of the College Board practice tests. She plans to be on the pre-med track in college, though she has yet to decide on a school.

    Ponnappan is one of approximately 16,000 semifinalists this year who will continue the competition, with 7,000 scholarships worth nearly $26 million set to be offered in the spring of next year. 

    Semifinalists must fulfill several further requirements to advance to the finalist level. Of those at that level, about half win scholarships and the title of Merit Scholar. The title is achieved by less than 1% of high-school seniors and includes the highest scoring entrants from each state.

    Rotter and George are among 34,000 Commended Students recognized in the U.S., though they will not continue on in the competition.

    George, who plans to study occupational therapy in college, credited the faculty and staff at Camden Catholic for his achievements, along with his own dedication to his academic life. 

    “I would say that this honor is exemplary of not only my hard work over the past four years, but also Camden Catholic’s mission of academic integrity …” he noted. “It’s so prestigious, and to be recognized nationally for the work that everyone puts in here, I couldn’t be prouder.”

    Rotter, who plans to maor in engineering, said he was proud of how much he improved his own math scores, though his scores in the language arts section of the test were still overall higher.

    “While I was still a little better at reading, my math score went way up,” he recalled. “So getting this achievement feels like recognition of the time and effort I put into achieving higher math scores.”

    All three students said their scores for the PSAT from previous years were not to the level they would have wanted, but they nonetheless encouraged other students to try to improve themselves. 

    “For the freshman-sophomore PSAT, my scores for those were not good,” Ponnappan admitted. “So honestly, disregard those, because they don’t really count for anything. And don’t be disheartened if those scores aren’t good, because mine were, like, you would not expect.

    “So just always remain positive and believe in yourself.”

  • Connection over coffee for township seniors

    Photos by Abigail Twiford
    Seniors got dance lessons at the Carmen Tilelli Community Center on Oct. 8 during the township’s first Senior Coffee and Connection event.

    The township provided apple cider, donuts, fruit and coffee to older adults at its inaugural Senior Coffee and Connection event on Oct. 8, the first of its kind in Cherry Hill.

    Participants at the Carmen Tilelli Community Center not only ate, but learned about available senior clubs and activities.

    “This is one of the best events that we have for seniors,” said Councilman Daniel DiRenzo. “We were able to give them a lot of information that will be helpful to them.”

    Every week, clubs for seniors meet to play Bingo; hear speakers on topics relevant to older adults; play cards; or line dance, among other activities. The Maturity, Retirees and Super Seniors clubs are also resources for the kind of community and social engagement that can lead to longer life spans.

    Pat Kenny, president of the Super Seniors, set up a display at the Coffee and Connection event showcasing its activities.

    The Super Seniors Club displayed information about its actiities at the senior event.

    “We try to involve our seniors in deciding what happens in our club,” she noted. “Our first meeting of the month is what we call a business meeting, and it’s usually based around the theme of the month.”

    September’s theme coincided with Hispanic Heritage Month, so the club made burritos, read poetry in both English and Spanish and lunched on food from Spanish speaking countries. Kenny said that members without transportation can get help from others who drive, as well from the Cherry Hill bus service for residents 62 and older with a reservation.

    Senior Coffee and Connection also provided dance lessons to attendees, led by Gene Naidas.

    “I think dancing is one of the best things for seniors because you become physical,” Naidas explained. “So you move … you exercise your thinking, because you’ve got to remember the dances … The most important thing is like, when you make a mistake, there’s a smile on your face.”

    The township conducted a survey at the end of the event on the needs of seniors and services that would most benefit them, and the Super Seniors Club held one of its meetings.

  • Families dress for a library fundraiser

    Party-goers spent some after hours at the library on Oct. 3 for a family costume party and fundraiser.

    The entry fee of $10 a person enabled the library to raise funds for itself. Meredith Meyer, its volunteer coordinator, helped plan the event, first organized two years ago.

    “We just wanted to give the kids something fun to do while raising a smidge of money,” she said. “Everybody who was there had a blast. Everybody that walked out the door said, ‘Oh my gosh, thank you. We had a great time.’

    “It’s always cute to see all the kids in costumes, and sometimes the parents get involved, which is fun, too.”  

    Happy kids received boxes of candy as prizes during the library’s costume party for families on Oct. 3.

    Children and their parents were encouraged but not required to wear costumes. Some kids showed up in coordinated outfits inspired by Minecraft and the Harry Potter movies. Other adults donned Halloween-themed T-shirts and sweaters, while their children dressed to look like Barbie or Michael Jackson, among others.

    Parents and children danced to music from a DJ who also used lights to create an appropriate mood for each song.

    Music was provided by a hired DJ, who also controlled colored lights to set the mood for each song and passed out candy to enthusiastic dancers. There were also competitions that gave children the chance to use inflatable musical instruments and microphones to see who could best mimic a real musical performance.

    At the end of the night, participants voted on a winner in the kids’ costume contest, with the top three earning the prize of a gift card.

    The library will continue its Halloween-themed activities with a costume swap on Wednesday, and trick or treating for children up to age 5.

  • Cherry Hill Calendar

    Wednesdays

    Barclay Farmstead public tours Noon to 4 p.m. Barclay Farmstead, 209 Barclay Lane (off West Gate Drive). For more information, visit Barclay Farmstead: A Living History Museum | Cherry Hill Township, NJ. 

    Oct. 15 to 22 

    Happenings at the Cherry Hill library at 1100 Kings Highway North. For more information, call (856) 667-0300 or email info@chplnj.org. 

    Oct. 15 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Halloween Costume Swap.

    Oct. 15 – 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. – Friends of the Library Meeting.

    Oct. 15 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    Oct. 15 – 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – File & Folders: Keep your computer organized.

    Oct. 15 – 5 to 8:30 p.m. – Halloween Costume Swap.

    Oct. 15 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Learning How to Play American Mah Jongg.

    Oct. 15 – 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Crash Course on Media Literacy Skills.

    Oct. 16 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Little Bookworm’s Story Time.

    Oct. 16 – 10:30 a.m. to noon – Community Conversation: Tips for Being News Savvy Online.

    Oct. 16 – 2 to 4 p.m. – Must Watch Documentary: Martha.

    Oct. 17 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Music and Movement.

    Oct. 17 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – How to Build Your Own Website For Free.

    Oct. 17 – 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. – Rice Crispy Monsters.

    Oct. 18 – 3 to 4 p.m. – Crafting Club.

    Oct. 19 – All Day – Teen Take & Make: Ghostly Garlands.

    Oct. 20 – 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. – Little Wiggles: Baby Story Time.

    Oct. 20 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – The Improv Project.

    Oct. 20 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – An Evening with Author & CNN Analyst Elie Honig: ‘When You Come at the King: Inside DOJ’s Pursuit of the President, From Nixon to Trump.’

    Oct. 21 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Rhyme Time.

    Oct. 21 – 10:30 a.m. to noon – Using Your iPhone/ iPad: What are the New Features of iOS 26? Part 2.

    Oct. 21 – 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – LEAP.

    Oct. 21 – 4 to 5 p.m. – Citizenship Preparation.

    Oct. 21 – 4 to 5 p.m. – Library Board Meeting.

    Oct. 21 – 7 to 8 p.m. – Crafter Hours: Paint Your Own Diya.

    Oct. 22 – 10:30 to 11 a.m. – Tales for Twos.

    Oct. 22 – 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Learning How to Play American Mah Jongg.

    Camden County events

    For more information visit www.camdencounty.com.

    Oct. 15 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Wayne Bryant Community Center, 323 E Charleston Ave., Lawnside.

    Oct. 15 – 4 to 7 p.m. – Flu Shot Clinic, Cold Spring School, 1194 Market St., Gloucester City.

    Oct. 15 – 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. – Family Latin Dance Workshop, Nilsa I. Cruz-Perez Downtown Branch, 301 North 5th St., Camden.

    Oct. 15 – 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Camp Sunny Side Online, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Oct. 16 – 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Seniors Pickleball, DeCou Park Pickleball Courts, Evesham and Crowell Roads, Cherry Hill.

    Oct. 16 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Senior Golf Lessons, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 S. Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    Oct. 16 – noon to 1 p.m. – Board of Commissioners Meeting, Camden City Hall, 6th Floor 520 Market St., Camden.

    Oct. 16 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Yoga, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Oct. 16 – 7 p.m. – An Evening of the World’s Best Short Films, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood.

    Oct. 17 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Flu Shot Clinic: Cherry Hill, Carman Tilelli Community Center, 820 Mercer St., Cherry Hill.

    Oct. 17 – 7 to 10:30 p.m. – Camden County 4-H Haunting, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood.

    Oct. 17 – 8 to 11 p.m. – Steve Hackett, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood.

    Oct. 18 – 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Lindenwold Complex, 2311 Egg Harbor Road, Lindenwold.

    Oct. 18 – 10 a.m. to noon – Flu Shot Clinic: Senior Center, Bud Duble Center, 33 Cooper Folly Road, Atco.

    Oct. 18 – noon to 3 p.m. – Fall Festival, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood.

    Oct. 18 – 7 to 10:30 p.m. – Camden County 4-H Haunting, Camden County Office of Sustainability, 508 Lakeland Road, Blackwood.

    Oct. 18 – 8 to 11 p.m. – Steve Hackett, Scottish Rite Auditorium, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood.

    Oct. 19 – 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Cooper River Cyclocross, Cooper River Park, 5300 North Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    Oct. 20 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Dance Class, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Oct. 21 – 10 to 11 a.m. – Board of Elections Meeting, Virtual Event.

    Oct. 21 – 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Coffee Talks for Caregivers, Virtual Event.

    Oct. 21 – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Senior Golf Lessons, Camden County Driving Range, 8001 S. Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken.

    Oct. 21 – noon to 2 p.m. – Bocce Ball for Seniors, Louis F. Cappelli, Sr. Bocce Ball Court, 5300 N Park Drive, Pennsauken.

    Oct. 21 – 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. – Senior Line Dancing Classes, Carol Norcross Senior Center, 512 Lakeland Road, Blackwood.

    Oct. 21 – 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – disABILITIES Martial Arts, Camden County Environmental Center, 1301 Park Blvd., Cherry Hill.

    Oct. 22 – 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Flu Shot Clinic: Collingswood, Collingswood Grand Ballroom, 315 White Horse Pike, Collingswood.

    Oct. 22 – 3:30 to 6 p.m. – Shake Them Bones Senior Dance, Donald E. Wilson Community Center, 425 Brooke Ave., Magnolia.

    Oct. 22 – 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. – Flu Shot Clinic: Camden, Malandra Hall, 1200 S. Merrimac Road, Camden.

    Thursday, Oct. 16

    Board of Fire Commissioners regular meeting 7 to 9 p.m. at 1100 Marlkress Road. 

    Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom. 

    Friday, Oct. 17

    Camden County flu shots 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carman Tilelli Community Center.

    Sunday, Oct. 19

    Harvest festival Noon to 4 p.m. at Croft Farms.

    Monday, Oct. 20

    Planning board meeting 7:30 to 11 p.m. via Zoom.

    Medicare: What to Consider 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Carman Tilelli Community Center.

    Wednesday, Oct. 22

    Wellness Walk 9 to 10 a.m. at Cherry Hill Mall.

  • LEAD continues to impact sixth graders

    Sixth-grade students in Cherry Hill continue to learn how to make responsible decisions through the Law Enforcement Against Drugs and Violence (LEAD) program, with its strategies to reduce youthful consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other substances. 

    Those strategies include enhancing protective factors like student bonding with family and engagement with the school and community.

    Township officer Anthony Amato is a certified LEAD instructor who helped bring the program to the township in 2022.

    “These things have been proven to help foster development of resiliency in young people who may be at risk for any of those substance abuse or other types of problem behaviors,” he explained. “We try to help foster a learning community where young people are going to be provided with the tools to make healthy independent decisions despite being in adverse conditions.”

    The township LEAD program began after Amato and two of his fellow officers attended a training class for certification. At the time – with only three officers instructing classes – there was no way for LEAD to be implemented in the entire district, so it was decided to pilot the program in one grade at one school at a time, starting with Rosa International Middle School.

    There are now 15 police instructors who teach the 10-week long course once a week to all district students every fall. Lessons usually last about 50 minutes and are often taught on Thursday mornings, though schedules do shift. 

    “The curriculum is effective in reducing alcohol, marijuana and tobacco use by students by preparing them to act decisively, refusing, you know, offers for drugs, helping students to recognize what the risks are and how to avoid drug related situations,” said Amato.

    The decision to teach the program to sixth graders was a strategic one, as those students often experience high stress in the transition from elementary to middle school. The first LEAD lesson teaches how to set a goal and provides tools on how to avoid drugs and other substances.

    “The criteria for setting a goal is, it needs to be personal, possible, positive and specific,” Amato pointed out. “I would say that we’re really trying to give students foundational principles for being successful in life, not just how (or) why you shouldn’t do certain things.

    “We’re trying to give you the tools to be successful in everything.”

    By the end of this year’s program, about 3,000 township students will have received LEAD instruction.

    “My favorite part, easily, is the connection with that particular age group,” Amato emphasized. “I pretty much feel confidently I cannot go anywhere in the entire township without running into somebody who’s been a part of the program.”

    Amato stressed that while the goal of LEAD is to reduce substance abuse, its skills can also be applied to other areas in the lives of students. 

    “The core of the program is just empowering the youth to value their own perceptions and feelings and make choices that support drug free values,” he stated. “And this program is going to continue on for as long as we could possibly support it there …

    “We do feel that it has a very positive impact on the students.”

  • Township hosts its first Ballet in the Park

    Abigail Twiford/The Sun
    Students at the School of Philadelphia Ballet perform a group dance number during their version of “Peter and the Wolf” at Croft Farm.

    Cherry Hill recently hosted the first performance in its Ballet in the Park series at Croft Farm on Sept. 28.

    The outdoor production of the classic tale, “Peter and the Wolf,” was performed by the School of Philadelphia Ballet and free to both residents and non-residents. 

    The performers are from the school’s pre-professional program, which allows individuals from ages 12 to 21 from all over the country – and some international students – to study ballet for hours a day while living in Philadelphia.

    “This is the first time that we have held a ballet in the park,” Mayor Dave Fleisher told the Croft Farm audience, “and we weren’t sure what the turnout would be. But I’m looking at all of you and I think we made a pretty good decision.”

    The farm grounds in front of the ballet stage were filled with several hundred guests on blankets or in camping chairs to watch and support the production.

    “This is a community that can operate both competently and compassionately, that you can get things done, and at the same time, care about humanity, care about the arts, care about people and ultimately bring neighbors together,” Fleisher noted.

    “Peter and the Wolf” was originally composed by Sergei Prokofiev as a way of getting young students introduced to classical music. The township production utilized the story’s original score, narration, choreography, costuming and puppetry. 

    Abigail TwifordThe Sun
    Dancers portray the grandfather and Peter in a scene from “Peter and the Wolf.”

    Dancers playing the “Peter and the Wolf” characters – from Peter to the animals in the story – were dressed in Cub Scout uniforms. The performance began with the narrator explaining that each character was represented by a different member of the orchestra, with Peter for strings, as an example, and the Bird for flute.

    The story largely takes place in the meadow beyond the gate that separates Peter’s home garden from the outside world. One day, he leaves the gate open, despite his grandfather’s warnings about the wolf. Peter remains defiant and insists he doesn’t fear the animal.

    The Croft Farm performance featured sparse sets and props, with only a small tent, a faux tree and campfire on stage, and the rest of the story pantomined by the dancers. The show was followed by a question-and-answer session with the young dancers led by Magge Hoelper, manager of the ballet school.

    “‘Peter and the Wolf’ is an accessible story for all ages,” Hoepler noted. “I think the combination of the music, which is so iconic and inspirational, the storytelling and the ability to add dance as a form of communication really helps to inspire audiences to come to more ballet programs.”

  • Jefferson gets $4 million for mental-health unit

    Abigail Twiford/The Sun
    Local and state officials join Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital administrators as they accept a check for the construction of the new unit.

    The township has taken a step toward making behavioral and mental health-care more accessible with a new unit at Jefferson Cherry Hill Hospital.

    The addition of the Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment and Healing (EmPATH) unit will help address the influx of mental-health patients in the emergency department and offer a new way to guide theose patients through a crisis.

    In order to implement EmPATH, the hospital will create a 4,000-square-foot facility adjacent to the existing emergency department, with private mental- and behavioral-health bays and living room-style waiting areas to create a calming atmosphere. 

    The new unit will be financed by a $4-million grant from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services.

    To celebrate the addition, Jefferson Cherry Hill hosted a recent check presentation with state and local officials who played a role in bringing the unit to fruition. Aaron Chang, president of Jefferson Health-East, was there to explain the need for EmPATH, including the fact that Camden County has seen a 400% increase in behavioral-health patients in the last decade. 

    “They’ll receive treatment, support and, most importantly, dignity in their most vulnerable moments,” he explained, “and they will leave not only stabilized, but with a plan for what comes next.” 

    Chang added that area residents report some of the highest levels of mental-health distress in the state, with 22% saying they frequently experience days when their mental health is questionable.

    Jefferson’s CEO, Dr. Joseph Cacchione, emphasized the strain emergency departments and health-care providers have been under as the demand for mental-health care continues to rise in the wake of COVID.

    “What we’re launching here today is not simply a new program,” he noted. “It’s really a new approach, and this EmPATH model … allows us to rethink how we deliver mental-health care. It represents a shift from reactive care to more proactive and specialized intervention.”

    Cacchione also expressed gratitude to the government, public, private and nonprofit organizations and partnerships that helped create the EmPATH model and the new Jefferson facility.

    Assemblywoman Melinda Kane was on hand for the check presentation and expressed her appreciation for the new unit.

    “As a longtime resident of Cherry Hill,” she said, “I’m so proud to be here today … For residents of Cherry Hill, we know how much it has grown … To be here today for the opening of this department, this unit, it’s wonderful, because we know that you can come to this facility and be treated for everything that you need.”

    Assembly Majority Leader Lou Greenwald talked about how the more patient-centered approach of EmPATH not only results in better outcomes, but also less cost and strain on the overall system.

    “The reality is that this program takes that patient and puts them in a better setting that has a better patient experience,” he observed, “with a better patient outcome … ”

    The new unit is expected to be completed in 2027.

  • Council approves new zoning ordinance

    Courtesy of Cherry Hill Township
    Council President William Carter III gives opening remarks at the Sept. 29 council meeting.

    Township council has approved an amended zoning ordinance on second reading that was originally introduced in August.

    The ordinance will establish a new mixed-use overlay zone that will be residential inclusionary, meaning that within the designated area, projects that mix residential with retail or commercial are encouraged. Such zones also require developers to set aside a percentage of units for affordable housing.

    The township planning board reviewed the ordinance during its Sept. 15 meeting and found it consistent with Cherry Hill’s master plan. Adoption was recommended by board members, though they asked that small edits be made to the measure, including more references to procedural history.

    After council went over the details of the ordinance at its Sept. 29 meeting, it opened the floor for public comment, when two individuals voiced their support for the resolution. Charles McDonald represented Urban Edge Properties, owner of the site where the new zoning will take place.

    “We are fully supportive of this proposed ordinance and appreciate any future development flexibilities for the site,” he said.

    Township resident Anne Einhorn also expressed her support for the measure, specifically its affordable housing.

    “So I really am in favor of this,” she noted. “I did listen to the planning board that night when they were discussing this issue, and we do have to fulfill our affordable-housing needs. My only concern that night was the development of the property when it ensues, but I am comfortable, because this is something that Cherry Hill needs to do.”

    Five council members voted to approve the ordinance; members Sangeeta Doshi and Carole Roskoph were absent. Councilwoman Jennifer Apell was in favor of the measure.

    “I really appreciate that there are green building fixtures featured in that ordinance,” she pointed out. “So that’s a really good step for Cherry Hill. And hopefully, the builder will incorporate a lot of green building features.”

    In other meeting business, council approved a resolution authorizing the township to accept a grant of up to $638,286 from the state’s Historic Trust for the preservation of Kay Evans Farmstead – also known as Croft Farm – and authorized the rejection of bids for the purchase of trees, shrubs and evergreens. The township can now re-bid the project with revised specifications.

  • Election: Four candidates vie for council

    Four candidates, including three incumbents, are vying for the four seats on the Cherry Hill Township Council in the election on Nov. 4. Each would serve a three-year term. 

    All candidates, William A. Carter, III, Jill Hulnick, Sangeeta Doshi and Rob Connor were asked to submit an election questionnaire. Answers have been lightly edited for space.

    At the time of deadline, Connor had not responded.

    Name: William A Carter III
    Age: 73
    How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 35
    Family: My family and I reside in the Surrey East neighborhood. We have 6 adult children
    School and degree: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering – Pennsylvania State University Class of
    1974
    Profession: I am a retired Construction Management professional, currently a private
    consultant.

    Is this the first time you’ve run for a council seat? This is the third time I have run for a seat on the Cherry Hill Township Council. I have served on Council for 5 1⁄2 years.

    What is your involvement in the community? 
    In addition to my duties on the Township Council, I am a past member of the Cherry Hill
    School, Zoning and Planning Boards. I am involved in my local church activities, and as a
    member of the Cherry Hill African American Civic Association I participate in our
    Scholarship Fund.

    Why are you running for another elected seat? 

    I believe in the power of service and the responsibility of leadership. I am dedicated to representing our residents and making a positive impact on our township by addressing safety, economic, social and political challenges with thoughtful solutions. Financial stability and public safety remain at the forefront of my priorities. Working alongside the Mayor and Council, I will continue to provide strong leadership as we proactively navigate our evolving community needs. With integrity and commitment, I will strive to ensure our township remains a safe, stable and thriving place for all residents while fostering unity and progress for future generations.

    What is one area you would concentrate on if reelected?

    If elected I will concentrate on strengthening public safety while ensuring financial
    stability. Both are essential to protecting the quality of life for our residents. Public safety is
    more than emergency response, it is safe streets, neighborhoods, parks, and community spaces, planned infrastructure upgrades and dedicated resources that give families peace of mind. Simultaneously I will work to keep our township financially strong, by making prudent decisions that balance today’s needs with tomorrow’s growth. Listening closely and keeping residents’ interest first, I am committed to creating a safe, stable and thriving community where every person feels valued and supported.

      Name: Jill Hulnick

      Age:  46

      How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 11

      Family: Married to David Hulnick, with a 10-year-old son

      School and degree: BA in Economics from Tufts University, MBA from Harvard Business School 

      Profession: Nonprofit consultant

      Is this the first time you’ve run for a council seat?  This is my second time running for office. I was appointed to township council in January 2024 and was elected in November to fill the remaining one-year term. In total, I have served as a councilwoman for approximately 20 months. 

      What is your involvement in the community? 

      I have been actively involved in the Cherry Hill community in various capacities. My council service has given me a deeper understanding of our community’s needs and the importance of governance in addressing them. I am committed to continuing this work, using my skills and experiences to benefit our town. My family and I are engaged in many local activities. We love cleaning up trails with the Environmental Board, listening to free concerts at Barclay Farmstead, participating in Cherry Hill FC soccer matches, exploring the library and or biking around our neighborhood. In addition, I am actively involved with the Jewish Federation, where I serve on several committees. For the past two years, my husband and I co-chaired the Federation’s Super Sunday and Community Mitzvah Day, a signature event that brings people together to support our community.

      Why are you running for another elected seat? 

      My career and volunteer leadership experiences have allowed me to support national, statewide and local organizations in Cherry Hill. While I have enjoyed contributing to many incredible missions, I find the most joy and feel the greatest impact when supporting my immediate community. Since joining council in January, I’ve witnessed first hand how our council, in partnership with community organizations, can effectively address community challenges. Together, we have successfully secured significant grant funding to enhance our town’s infrastructure; revived our community fireworks celebration; rebuilt playgrounds across town; and resolved thousands of resident issues, from clearing downed trees to fixing potholes. I approach this role with a deep sense of duty and appreciation for the trust placed in me by this community, and I look forward to serving Cherry Hill for many more years to come.

      What is one area you would concentrate on if reelected?

      Customer service. The Cherry Hill government’s primary purpose is to serve its residents and neighborhoods effectively and efficiently. As a council member, I will work with the mayor, township officials, fellow council members and community organizations to enhance communications and responsiveness. This includes building on initiatives like the My Cherry Hill app and expanding our social media outreach.

      Name: Sangeeta Patel Doshi

      Age: 59

      How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 29

      Family: Husband and three sons

      Schools and degree: Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering; Babson College, master’s in Business Administration.

      Profession: Engineer, program management, telecommunications executive and small business owner.

      Is this the first time you’ve run for a seat on council? No

      If not, how many years/terms have you served as a council member? Eight years, two terms

      What is your involvement in the community?

      I was the first Indian American elected to office in South Jersey in 2017. I have been a member of the Domestic Violence Response Team, the planning board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment and the District IV Legal Ethics Committee. I have volunteered with Cherry Hill Atlantic Little League and Moms Demand Action. In 2021, I received a Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction. I am co-chair of the Cherry Hill Human Relations Committee and the township green team. I led efforts for Cherry Hill’s first dog park, solar-powered bus shelter and NJ Transit’s first electric bus in Camden. I am an active member of the Indian Cultural Center and Indian Temple Association. I serve on the Camden Air Quality Committee and on the advisory boards of Inspiring South Asian American Women, the New Jersey Leadership Program, the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey and the North South Foundation. In 2020, I was appointed to the NJ Transit Board of Directors by Gov. Murphy and served a four-year term. I was honored to receive the Sustainability Hero Award in 2023, the Rutgers Green Champion Award in 2024, and the Martin Luther King Award for Service from Camden County in 2025.

      Why are you running for reelection?

      I want to advance sustainability, environmental protection, clean energy and infrastructure improvements. As an immigrant, I am a voice in local government for diverse constituencies. I am committed to listening to residents and focusing on projects that our community needs: public safety, neighborhood parks, a dog park, solar shelters and electric buses. I am an advocate for gun safety. My family taught us to “give back” and “leave things better than you found it.”

      What is one area you would like to concentrate on if reelected?

      I will focus on making Cherry Hill a leader in sustainability, investing in clean energy, protecting our environment and building parks and infrastructure that improve quality of life for families

    1. Election: Five candidates vie for board of education

      Five candidates, including two incumbents, are vying for the three available seats on the Cherry Hill Board of Education in the Nov. 4 election. Each would serve a three-year term. 

      All candidates – Collin O. Duckett, Candi Cummings, Adam Greenbaum, Gina Winters and Brandi N. DeVeaux – were asked to submit an election questionnaire. Answers have been lightly edited for space.

      At the time of deadline, DeVeaux had not responded. 

      Name: Collin Duckett  

      Age: 19

      How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? Just over five

      Family: I live with my father, Kevin; Mom-Mom, Kathleen; and sister, Hailey.

      School and degree: I’m currently pursuing my bachelor’s in business administration with a focus in entrepreneurship, as well as a minor in public administration and policy. Proud graduate of Cherry Hill West, Class of 2024.

      Profession: At home, I am pool manager and head lifeguard of the Jersey Wahoos Swim Club, where I’ve connected with many East students. I’m also employed as one of the managers at Wedgewood Swim Club in Haddonfield and am a pool operator for the St. Alban’s School in Washington, D.C.

      Is this the first time you’ve run for the seat on council? Yes. I previously served on the board of education in my capacity as student representative from West. I served from June 2023 to June 2024, and in that time vastly expanded the role and influence of the student reps by bringing them closer to the board.

      What is your involvement in the community? My involvement in the community of late has been pursuing a passion of mine: learning about the lived experiences and political and social positions of my neighbors. In preparation for my potential election, I have been speaking with stakeholders across the district to gain a concrete understanding of the needs and desires of each of our community sub-groups to maximize my governance ability. I’ve also been traveling from D.C. regularly for board meetings and to give comment. Prior to my graduation, I was part of the #WEareCHPS movement and delivered testimony to the assembly’s Budgetary Committee. I founded the first chapter of Model United Nations with help from EASTMUN student leaders. I also was a charter member of the superintendent’s Advisory Council: Dr. Kwame Morton’s joint West/East advisory body on student affairs and school climate.

      Why are you running for an elected seat? I am running for the board to disrupt the status quo and bring back common sense governance to our town. We’ve got a lot to tackle including, improving our school climate to motivate students; start times; the budget and taxes; responsible integration of AI; and reinforcing our special education support systems by reforming our restorative discipline model, administrative accountability and much more. This town is run by our students and our families, and it is my mission to be the mouthpiece they need.

      What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected? In my first year, I’ll focus on the budget, and by proxy, administrative responsibility. It is incumbent on us as a board to maintain a sense of fiscal reservation in the face of crippling aid cuts. I will work to change our attitudes from “advocating” to demanding and fighting for our fair share. I’ll work to mandate that the administration give board members far more time and information before they expect us to vote on items. I will be fiscally innovative and work with administration to reevaluate non-personnel areas of expenditure. Bottom line: I will fight tooth and nail to put money back in the community’s pockets.

      Name: Adam Greenbaum

      Age: 49

      How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill?  14

      Family: I live with my wife and son

      School and degree: I hold a BS in computer engineering from the University of Rhode Island, and an MBA from Villanova University.

      Profession: Cyber Security Engineer

      Is this the first time you’ve run for the board? No.

      If not, how many years/terms have you served? Three

      What is your involvement in the community?  

      I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board of education for the past three years, including the past year as vice president, where I’ve worked to support and improve our local schools.  As an involved parent, I stay actively engaged in my child’s education and school community.  On weekends, I am a proud soccer dad, traveling near and far to cheer on the team. I also participate in various social and outreach activities through my synagogue, helping to strengthen connections with the broader community.

      Why are you running for reelection?

      I am running to continue the progress the board has made over the past three years. That includes rebuilding our schools through bond referendum projects and improved accessibility across the district.  Full-day preschool expansion now serves more than 500 students, and we focused on academic success through curriculum enhancements, targeted supports and grant opportunities. I have joined community leaders to advocate for state funding in Trenton for the last two years. I am excited about all that we have achieved, but there is more work to be done.

      What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?

      School funding remains a top priority. Rising costs, state cuts and a flawed funding formula have made budgeting difficult for our district. I supported the bond referendum that is now improving schools across the district, and have met with legislators and testified before the state budget committee to push for reform to the funding formula. We’ve made progress, but it’s not enough. We must raise our voices and work together to demand common-sense changes to the funding formula so every student and staff member has the resources they need to succeed.

      Name: Candi Cummings

      Age: 50

      How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill? 12

      Family: Two children

      School and degree: Rutgers University

      Is this the first time you’ve run for a board seat? Yes

      What is your involvement in the community? Since 2016, I’ve been deeply involved in the township school community, serving on PTA executive boards at Sharp Elementary and Beck Middle School. Because of my successful leadership there, I was tapped to be the chair of the Cherry Hill Zone PTA, which represents the 19 PTAs and nearly 11,000 students of the district. Through that work, I’ve seen first hand the power of families, teachers and students working in true partnership. I’ve built the relationships and experience needed to strengthen our schools. I know how to blend community voices with district-level policy, because real progress happens when families, teachers, and administrators work together. Some of my advocacy includes partnering with the superintendent, district leaders and families to implement an updated cell phone policy, helping students stay more focused throughout the school day. I serve on the district’s Strategic Planning Committee, contributing to the Five-Year Plan and Portrait of a Graduate.

      Why are you running for a board seat?

      I am seeking election because I believe in the promise of public education and the responsibility to invest in academic excellence and community trust. Schools are strongest when built together with transparency. Students thrive when teachers thrive. Families must always have a seat at the table.

      What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?

      When elected, I will prioritize three commitments. First is academic excellence, including prioritizing the special education population, because inclusivity is making sure that a child with an IEP or a 504 has the same access to opportunity as their peers, or that a student supported by MTSS gets early intervention before falling behind. I will support teachers and staff, because educators are the backbone of our schools and know true academic success goes hand in hand with building confidence, resilience and a love of learning. Teachers deserve resources, respect, and to thrive. When teachers thrive, our students thrive. I will also help develop strong partnerships with families and our broader community keep our schools rooted in the values we all share. I will be committed to listening to parents and teachers and bringing them together to collaborate. Families bring energy, insight and heart when they feel invited into the conversation. These kinds of partnerships build trust and help families see the board and district as allies in their child’s success, not just decision-makers at a distance. This is the kind of environment I will foster.

      Name:  Gina Winters

      Age: 46

      How many years have you lived in Cherry Hill?: 22 years

      Family: Married with three children, ages 16, 13 and 8

      School and degree: Rutgers University BA, in Political Science and Master’s in Public Policy

      Is this the first time you have run for a seat for Council/committee or BOE? No, I won my current seat in 2022

      What is your involvement in the community? I am a PTA member, Girl Scout leader, and I sing and volunteer at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church

      Why are you running for an elected seat?

      I have served on the school board since 2022, and I have really enjoyed connecting with the community and helping to guide our school district on a path toward continued success. I am running for another term to focus on boosting academic achievement for all students, ensuring responsible fiscal management – including oversight of the bond referendum projects – and fostering an inclusive school culture where every student feels welcomed and belongs. I am committed to safe, healthy schools where students can learn and grow together.

      What is one area you would like to concentrate on if elected?

      If re-elected, I would continue my focus on academic success for all students. Our students need access to rigorous curricula, high standards and individualized supports so that they can learn, grow and thrive. To prepare our students for graduation, I will also focus on college and career readiness skills and collaboration with business and community partners to expand internship opportunities for our high school students so that they can gain the skills they need to be successful. In order to maintain the high-quality education that Cherry Hill is known for, a big piece of the puzzle is recruiting, retaining and supporting excellent teachers and staff, and continuing our focus on staff wellness.