BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//ChamberMaster//Event Calendar 2.0//EN METHOD:PUBLISH X-PUBLISHED-TTL:P3D REFRESH-INTERVAL:P3D CALSCALE:GREGORIAN BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20251007T213000Z DTEND:20251008T000000Z X-MICROSOFT-CDO-ALLDAYEVENT:FALSE SUMMARY:26th Annual Meeting/Awards Reception - 10/07/2025 DESCRIPTION:Join us at the Edison Chamber of Commerce's 26th Annual Meeting and Awards Reception!\n\n\n\nCelebrate with us at the most anticipated event of the year\, where excellence meets recognition! The Edison Chamber of Commerce proudly presents its 26th Annual Meeting and Awards Reception at the elegant Pines Manor on Tuesday\, October 7th. This remarkable evening promises to be a gathering of esteemed individuals\, outstanding businesses\, dedicated non-profits\, and exceptional teachers from every school within Edison.\n\n \n\nEvent Highlights:\n\n\n\nCocktail Hour & Networking: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM\n\nKick off the evening with a delightful cocktail hour\, providing the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow attendees\, local entrepreneurs\, community leaders\, and influencers. Build valuable relationships\, exchange ideas\, and expand your professional network while enjoying exquisite hors d'oeuvres and refreshments.\n\n \n\nSit Down Dinner & Awards Presentation: 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM\n\nAs the sun sets\, gather around for a sumptuous sit-down dinner that sets the stage for the much-awaited awards presentation. Join us in acknowledging the exceptional contributions made by businesses\, individuals\, non-profit organizations\, and educators who have positively impacted the lives of Edison residents. Let's honor those who have gone above and beyond to make our community thrive.\n\n\n\nThis event is not just a celebration\; it's an opportunity to witness the unwavering spirit of Edison's residents coming together. By attending\, you're supporting local initiatives and initiatives that aim to create a brighter future for us all.\n\n \n\nDon't miss out on an evening filled with inspiration\, camaraderie\, and the joy of recognizing excellence within our community. Secure your spot now and be a part of the Edison Chamber of Commerce's 26th Annual Meeting and Awards Reception.\n\n \n\nRegister today! Tickets are limited\, so reserve your seat early to ensure you're a part of this remarkable occasion.\n\n \n\nMark your calendar for Tuesday\, October 7\, and prepare to be inspired. We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of celebration and connection at the Pines Manor!\n\n \nAward Recipients:\nChamber Member of the Year: Karen Marino\n\nOutstanding Business of the Year: First Choice Heating and Cooling\n\nCitizen of the Year: Praful Raja\n\nLifetime Achievement Award: Joe Bartonek/Barton Nurseries\n\nOrganization of the Year: ESW Occupational Services\n\nHotel/Restaurant/Hospitality: Crowne Plaza Edison\n\nEconomic Impact: Optimum Business\n\nYoung Entrepreneur of the Year: Rishi Shah\n\n\n \n Teacher of the Year:\n \n \n \n Benjamin Franklin Elementary\n \n Jennifer Wallitsch\n \n \n 5th Grade\n \n \n \n James Madison Primary \n \n Nicole Rurka\n \n \n SCA K-2\n \n \n \n James Monroe Elementary\n Nereo Rossi\n \n 5th Grade\n \n \n \n John Marshall Elementary\n \n Yokasta Ventura\n \n \n Spanish K-5\n \n \n \n Lincoln Elementary\n \n Pamela Eng\n \n \n 3rd Grade\n \n \n \n Lindeneau Elementary\n \n Nina Cervini\n \n \n LLD K-3\n \n \n \n Martin Luther King Elementary\n \n Ashley Young\n \n \n 1st Grade\n \n \n \n Menlo Park Elementary\n \n Sophia Jennings\n \n \n 3rd Grade\n \n \n \n Washington Elementary\n Marissa Simoes\n \n Kindergarten\n \n \n \n Woodbrook Elementary\n Samantha Bruno\n 4th Grade\n \n \n Herbert Hoover Middle\n \n Jacqueline Fallon\n \n \n ELA 6\n \n \n \n James Madison Intermediate\n Jenna Agostinacchio\n \n SCA 3-5\n \n \n \n John Adams Middle \n \n Lauren Lopez\n \n \n 7th Grade \n \n \n \n Thomas Jefferson Middle\n \n Kelly Ryan\n \n \n Math\, Grade 6/7\n \n \n \n Woodrow Wilson Middle\n \n Haley Connell\n \n \n ELA\n \n \n \n Edison High\n \n Katherine Makovec\n \n \n Math\n \n \n \n John P. Stevens High\n \n Odalys Serrano-Vacca\n \n \n Spanish 9-12\n \n \n \n Edison Early Learning Center\n \n Maureen McMullan\n \n \n Preschool\n \n \n \n Franklin D. Roosevelt\n \n Jennilyn Hanson\n \n \n Preschool\n \n \n \n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n Educational Services Professional of the Year:\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Benjamin Franklin Elementary\n Sulekha Appaiah\n Interventionist\n \n \n James Madison Primary\n \n Elizabeth Talke\n \n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n James Monroe Elementary\n \n Dawn Chessere\n \n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n John Marshall Elementary\n \n Susan Elsamna\n \n \n LDTC-Child Study Team\n \n \n \n Lincoln Elementary\n Michelle Blum\n \n Reading Specialist\n \n \n \n Lindeneau Elementary\n \n Sabiha Lodi\n \n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n Martin Luther King Elementary\n \n Chandana Pradhan\n \n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n Menlo Park Elementary\n Monika Singh\n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n Washington Elementary\n \n Sajida Arshad\n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n Woodbrook Elementary\n \n Rashmi Deshpande\n \n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n Herbert Hoover Middle\n \n Suzanne Austin\n \n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n James Madison Intermediate\n Ayesha Rizwan\n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n John Adams Middle \n \n John Peach \n \n Athletic Site Coordinator\n \n \n Thomas Jefferson Middle\n James Farley\n \n Speech Therapist\n \n \n \n Woodrow Wilson Middle\n Mary Sutherland\n \n Paraprofessional\n \n \n \n Edison High\n \n Santeargo Brown\n \n \n Security\n \n \n \n John P. Stevens High\n \n Danielle Durso-Gorka\n \n \n Secondary ELA Instructional Coach\n \n \n \n Edison Early Learning Center\n Nicole Montilus\n \n EELC School Nurse/District Head Nurse\n \n \n \n Franklin D. Roosevelt\n \n Denise Robbins\n \n \n Paraprofessional X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

 \;

\n
\nJoin us at the Edison Chamber of Commerce'\;s 26th Annual Meeting and Awards Reception!
\n
\nCelebrate with us at the most anticipated event of the year\, where excellence meets recognition! The Edison Chamber of Commerce proudly presents its 26th Annual Meeting and Awards Reception at the elegant Pines Manor on Tuesday\, October 7th. This remarkable evening promises to be a gathering of esteemed individuals\, outstanding businesses\, dedicated non-profits\, and exceptional teachers from every school within Edison.
\n \;
\nEvent Highlights:
\n
\nCocktail Hour &\; Networking: \;5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
\nKick off the evening with a delightful cocktail hour\, providing the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow attendees\, local entrepreneurs\, community leaders\, and influencers. Build valuable relationships\, exchange ideas\, and expand your professional network while enjoying exquisite hors d'\;oeuvres and refreshments.
\n \;
\nSit Down Dinner &\; Awards Presentation: \;6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
\nAs the sun sets\, gather around for a sumptuous sit-down dinner that sets the stage for the much-awaited awards presentation. Join us in acknowledging the exceptional contributions made by businesses\, individuals\, non-profit organizations\, and educators who have positively impacted the lives of Edison residents. Let'\;s honor those who have gone above and beyond to make our community thrive.
\n
\nThis event is not just a celebration\; it'\;s an opportunity to witness the unwavering spirit of Edison'\;s residents coming together. By attending\, you'\;re supporting local initiatives and initiatives that aim to create a brighter future for us all.
\n​\;
\nDon'\;t miss out on an evening filled with inspiration\, camaraderie\, and the joy of recognizing excellence within our community. Secure your spot now and be a part of the Edison Chamber of Commerce'\;s 26th Annual Meeting and Awards Reception.
\n \;
\nRegister today! Tickets are limited\, so reserve your seat early to ensure you'\;re a part of this remarkable occasion.
\n \;
\nMark your calendar for Tuesday\, October 7\, and prepare to be inspired. We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of celebration and connection at the Pines Manor!
\n \;\n

Award Recipients:

\nChamber Member of the Year: Karen Marino
\nOutstanding Business of the Year: First Choice Heating and Cooling
\nCitizen of the Year: Praful Raja
\nLifetime Achievement Award: Joe Bartonek/Barton Nurseries
\nOrganization of the Year: ESW Occupational Services
\nHotel/Restaurant/Hospitality: Crowne Plaza Edison
\nEconomic Impact: Optimum Business
\nYoung Entrepreneur of the Year: Rishi Shah\n\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n
\n

Teacher of the Year:

\n
Benjamin Franklin Elementary\n

Jennifer Wallitsch

\n 		\n

5th Grade

\n
James Madison Primary \;  \;  \; \;\n

Nicole Rurka

\n 		\n

SCA K-2

\n
James Monroe ElementaryNereo Rossi\n

5th Grade

\n
John Marshall Elementary\n

Yokasta Ventura

\n 		\n

Spanish K-5

\n
Lincoln Elementary\n

Pamela Eng

\n 		\n

3rd Grade

\n
Lindeneau Elementary\n

Nina Cervini

\n 		\n

LLD K-3

\n
Martin Luther King Elementary\n

Ashley Young

\n 		\n

1st Grade

\n
Menlo Park Elementary\n

Sophia Jennings

\n 		\n

3rd Grade

\n
Washington ElementaryMarissa Simoes\n

Kindergarten

\n
Woodbrook ElementarySamantha Bruno4th Grade
Herbert Hoover Middle\n

Jacqueline Fallon

\n 		\n

ELA 6

\n
James Madison IntermediateJenna Agostinacchio\n

SCA 3-5

\n
John Adams Middle \;\n

Lauren Lopez

\n 		\n

7th Grade \;

\n
Thomas Jefferson Middle\n

Kelly Ryan

\n 		\n

Math\, Grade 6/7

\n
Woodrow Wilson Middle\n

Haley Connell

\n 		\n

ELA

\n
Edison High\n

Katherine Makovec

\n 		\n

Math

\n
John P. Stevens High\n

Odalys Serrano-Vacca

\n 		\n

Spanish 9-12

\n
Edison Early Learning Center\n

Maureen McMullan

\n 		\n

Preschool

\n
Franklin D. Roosevelt\n

Jennilyn Hanson

\n 		\n

Preschool

\n
\n
\n
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Educational Services Professional of the Year:

\n
\n
Benjamin Franklin ElementarySulekha AppaiahInterventionist
James Madison Primary\n

Elizabeth Talke

\n 		\n

Paraprofessional

\n
James Monroe Elementary\n

Dawn Chessere

\n 		\n

Paraprofessional

\n
John Marshall Elementary\n

Susan Elsamna

\n 		\n

LDTC-Child Study Team

\n
Lincoln ElementaryMichelle Blum\n

Reading Specialist

\n
Lindeneau Elementary\n

Sabiha Lodi

\n 		\n

Paraprofessional

\n
Martin Luther King Elementary\n

Chandana Pradhan

\n 		\n

Paraprofessional

\n
Menlo Park ElementaryMonika Singh\n

Paraprofessional

\n
Washington Elementary\n

Sajida Arshad

\n 		Paraprofessional
Woodbrook Elementary\n

Rashmi Deshpande

\n 		\n

Paraprofessional

\n
Herbert Hoover Middle\n

Suzanne Austin

\n 		\n

Paraprofessional

\n
James Madison IntermediateAyesha Rizwan\n

Paraprofessional

\n
John Adams Middle \;\n

John Peach \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \; \;

\n 		Athletic Site Coordinator
Thomas Jefferson MiddleJames Farley\n

Speech Therapist

\n
Woodrow Wilson MiddleMary Sutherland\n

Paraprofessional

\n
Edison High\n

Santeargo Brown

\n 		\n

Security

\n
John P. Stevens High\n

Danielle Durso-Gorka

\n 		\n

Secondary ELA Instructional Coach

\n
Edison Early Learning CenterNicole Montilus\n

EELC School Nurse/District Head Nurse

\n
Franklin D. Roosevelt\n

Denise Robbins

\n 		\n

Paraprofessional

\n
\n LOCATION:Pines Manor 2085 NJ-27 Edison\, NJ 08817 UID:e.2325.5089 SEQUENCE:3 DTSTAMP:20260515T061447Z URL:https://www.edisonchamber.com/events/details/26th-annual-meeting-awards-reception-10-07-2025-5089 END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR