On Wednesday, September 6, 2023, Petal Robertson, NJEA Secretary/Treasurer, inducted new ECREA officers for 2023-2025 at the board meeting held at Bella Italia. Pictured from left to right: Petal Robertson, President Joe Macaluso, First Vice President Clarence Osborne, Second Vice President Perry Jackson, Recording Secretary Ilene Greenfield, Corresponding Secretary Carla Hinds. Missing from the picture is Treasurer Patty Landon.
Here are some members of ECREA attending the 2023 NEA Representative Assembly that was held in Orlando, Florida from July 1-July 6, 2023 with ECREA President Deborah Thurmond.
Thinking of retiring? Join ECREA
Remember to continue membership in your professional organization.
Please Call 609-599-4564, extension 4123 to request an application for "Unified" Membership in NEA,NJEA,ECREA and NJREA.
Your support is very important to help protect pension and health benefits.
Carol LaPierre & Nancy Kurbyweit, ECREA Membership Co-Chairs
2023 ECREA Scholarship Awardees
In May 2023, ECREA awarded three $1500 scholarships to Essex County graduates. Serena Bazilla, a graduate of East Orange Stem Academy, is going to the University of Southern California. Madison Carnahan, graduated from West Essex High School and will be attending the University of Alabama. Luis Luque, a graduate of Bloomfield High School will be attending Rutgers University.
Top Picture: (left-right) Luis Luque-a graduate of Bloomfield High School will be attending Rutgers University., Serena Bazillo-a graduate of East Orange Stem Academy, is going to the University of Southern California, Madison Carnahan-a graduate from West Essex High School and will be attending the University of Alabama.
Bottom Picture: (left-right) Perry Jackson, Madison Carnahan, Deborah Thurmond, Serena Bazillo, Luis Luque
ECREA HISTORY
The NJEA library in Trenton houses a number of journals dating back well over one hundred years. Little evidence of the founding date of the ECREA (Essex County Retirees Education Association) was in any of the records. What was apparent was the involvement of Essex County teachers in the state organization going back to the late 1800’s. If Essex educators were involved and influential, is it possible to conclude that once retired, these teachers might have founded an association of retired teachers? ECEA records show that during the depression, Essex County educators experienced pay freezes and salary decreases. By 1939 teachers organized and formed the ECEA (Essex County Education Association), but there is no corresponding record of retirees doing the same.
Celebrating Years of Essex County Retirees Education Association Scholarships
Beginning in 2009, the ECREA instituted a scholarship award of $500. From 2009 through 2014, the ECREA awarded one scholarship. The following year, we awarded two scholarships. Then in 2016, two scholarship recipients received an award of $1,000. The following year, three students received $1,000 scholarships. In 2018, we raised the award for four recipients to $1,500. None of this would have been possible without the generosity of our members, who either mail in contributions or contribute via our fundraising efforts at three general membership meetings yearly. Kudos to both the winners listed and our generous members.
Here are the scholarship winners during the past ten years:
2009
Keshon Lopes – Irvington H.S. – Drew University
2010
Patrick Roche – Nutley H.S. – Princeton University
2011
Jessica Brand – James Caldwell H.S. – Rutgers University
2012
Shanelle Forde – Cecily Tyson Fine and Performing Arts School, East Orange
2013
David Raghanian – Nutley H.S. – Stevens Institute of Technology
2014
Aliya Jaber – West Orange H.S. – Simmons College
2015
Aderwumi Aderbigbe – Newark Vocational High School
Morgan Reed – Montclair H.S.
2016
Maymouna Abo Abar – Central H.S., Newark - Rowan University
2017
Luce Daphhey Paul – East Orange STEM Academy – Rutgers
Deja Santana – Montclair H.S. – Drew University
Joseply Jaramillo – Technical High School, Newark – Bates College
Here are the scholarship winners during the past ten years:cont'd
2018
Chantaly Villalona – Technology H.S., Newark
Aishwarya Kanagala – West Orange H.S.
Noah Roselli – Nutley H.S. – New Jersey Institute of Technology
Marlon Solomon – Cecily Tyson School of Fine and Performing Arts – Berkeley School of Music
2019
Madelyn A. Chelak – James Caldwell H.S. – Temple University
Emmanuel Ogbonnaya – Weequahic H.S. – NJIT
Alyssa Amassalam – East Orange STEM Academy - Rutgers, Newark
Precious George – American History H.S. – Rutgers University
2020
Nephthalie Francois – East Orange STEM Academy – Lincoln Technical
Renata Curcio – Veropna H.S. – The College of New Jersey
Haley McNish – West Caldwell H.S. – University of Hartford
Christyne Corasmin – West Orange H.S. – Penn State College
2021
Taylor Carnell – Nutley H.S. – College of Southern Idaho
Alisson Lopez Donado – Science Park H.S. – Rutgers, Newark
Edie Solomon – Livingston H.S. – GAP Year will attend Rutgers, New Brunswick
Shakythika Thevarajah – Technology H.S. – NJIT
2022
Brad Yac-Diaz – East Orange STEM Academy- Stanford University
Amanda Franco – American History H.S.- Rutgers University- Newark
Bryce Szalay – James Caldwell H.S.- Belmont University
Jennifer Fernando Sanchez – Technology H.S.- Rutgers University-Newark
Here are some of the members of ECREA with Madam NJEA Secretary-Treasurer Petal Robertson at the ECEA Legislative Dinner that was held on
Tuesday, April 5, 2022 at
Nanina's in the Park
On Wednesday, October 13, 2021 Members of the Essex County Retirees Education Association (ECREA) held their annual food drive and donated "Soup for Seniors" to the Holy Trinity-West Orange Food Pantry located at 315 Main Street.
West Orange Board of Education President Terry Trigg-Scales helped to coordinate the drive and dropped off the donations.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON THE PATCH FOR WEST ORANGE
