Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Patch Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing Michael Ingling, a Ridge High School Junior who just last Tuesday was recognized by the Township Committee for earning the status of Eagle Scout, a crowning achievement for Boy Scouting that very few scouts ever reach. However, we also are mentioning Michael's father, Tim Ingling, who has been involved with his sons' scouting activities since being a Cubmaster for Cub…

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Patch Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing Ridge High School senior Sami Weber, a volunteer in one of the classes at the Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack-Gladstone. Sami also is co-president of the Junior Friends of Matheny, made up mostly with students from Ridge and Bernards High, which is a student version of the Friends of Matheny auxiliary group that has raised millions in funding for …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Patch Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing the young thespians and their teachers at Liberty Corner School who staged "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" in a musical production held last Tuesday at the Performing Arts Center at Ridge High School. Patch Kids of the Week: About 70 students in grades 1-5 at the Liberty Corner School who were in the cast and crew of the musical "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" on …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Patch Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing Ridge junior Kaity Vermillion, who demonstrated her synchronized skating skills during a fundraiser performance for the Susan G. Komen, Skate for the Cure, North Jersey affiliate. Her performance with the Precisely Right Synchronized Skating team was held last week at Mennen Arena. Patch Kid of the Week: Ridge High School Junior Kaity Vermillion, a member of the …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Whiz Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing Justin Oei, who not only was a semifinalist in the New Jersey Geographic Bee held this month at Rowan University in Glassboro — he managed to be chosen to compete against a majority of students who were middle-school aged. Whiz Kid of the Week: Township resident Justin Oei, who is a fourth grader at St. James School in Basking Ridge. Whiz Kids' Major Activity: Justin, …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Whiz Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing a lot of Whiz kids — in fact, about 100 students in the cast and crew which staged Willie Wonka Jr. at the Bedminster Public School, and wowed audiences during four performances. Whiz Kids of the Week: The middle school drama club at the Bedminster Public School. Whiz Kids' Major Activity: The students, working with director and school music teacher Scott Lefurge, on …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Whiz Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing three township children, Sydnee, Jake and Josh Schapiro, who with their parents, Stacy and Eric, have organized a fundraising effort for Miles For Matheny. The annual fundraiser is scheduled each spring to raise funds for the Matheny Medical and Educational Center in Peapack-Gladstone will this year be held on Sunday, April 17, at Natirar Park in Peapack-Gladstone. The…

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Whiz Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing a high school junior, Bianca Pichamuthu, whose talent with photography has a current exhibit of her work at the Bernards Township Library, but who also uses her talent to help preserve the history of Basking Ridge. Whiz Kids of the Week: Bianca Pichamuthu Whiz Kids' Major Activity: Bianca has a display of her photography on display at Bernards Township Library from …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, achieved a milestone or who has gone out of their way to help someone else? Let us know, and they might be our next Whiz Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing seven students from Ridge High School, five juniors and two seniors, who formed a group called The Heavenly Seven that this past holiday season performed and raised funds for charities specializing in addressing childhood cancer causes.  Whiz Kids of the Week: Briley Conder, Nick Siccone, Andrew Richards, Nicole Gaziano, Waverly Langston, Emily Sisto and Connor …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, or achieved a milestone? They might be our next Whiz Kid(s). This week, we are recognizing four young gymnasts from Basking Ridge who placed highly in the 23rd annual Gasparilla Classic held in late February in Tampa Bay, Fla. The students train at Rettig's Gymnastics in Cedar Knolls. Whiz Kids of the Week: Courtney Spurlock, Jillian Falduto, Rachel Walker and Maggie Cooney of Basking Ridge Whiz Kids' Major Activity: The girls train on Saturdays at Rettig's Gymnastics in Cedar Knolls. They competed in the 23rd annual …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, or achieved a milestone? They might be our next Whiz Kid(s). Two students from high schools in the township, Stephen Raynes and James Ross, recently received the distinction of being named to the USA Swimming's 2010 Scholastic All-America Team. Whiz Kids of the Week: Stephen Raynes and James Ross Whiz Kids' Major Activity: Stephen, a Basking Ridge resident who is a senior at Ridge High School, and James, a township resident who is a junior at The Pingry School in Bernards Township, were two of just 21 New Jersey high school …

Know a young person or group who has accomplished something special, or achieved a milestone? They might be our next Whiz Kid.Anish Patel, a junior at Ridge High School, has been working for about a year on his project to help provide education to Indian youths ages 12 to 18 who are living in a detention center in Baroda, India. Some other local students will be chosen to accompany him on a planned trip this summer. An informational meeting is planned for 2 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 27, at the Bernards Township Library. The organization also is holding a book drive called Books Behind Bars. The …

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout with a special project? Did a young person in your neighborhood pitch in to help someone in need? Did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kids honoree. Each week, the Basking Ridge Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. Here's this week's "top 40" selection: Whiz Kids of the Week: Senior Girl Scout Troop 40 of Basking Ridge; Emily DaCosta, Lauren Desatnick, Sherry Kuo, Allison Pine; Kimberlee Lizakowski, Alexandra …