SEPTEMBER 2025

Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year at Audubon High School! I hope this message finds you rested, recharged, and ready to begin another exciting chapter in our shared journey of growth, learning, and achievement.

As we open our doors to a new academic year, I am filled with great pride in our school community and tremendous optimism for what lies ahead. At Audubon High School, we continue to uphold our motto Pride and Excellence in everything we do. This commitment remains the foundation of our academic programs, extracurricular activities, and community partnerships.

Our school-wide goal this year is to emphasize productive struggle, a concept rooted in the belief that meaningful learning often comes through perseverance, resilience, and overcoming challenges. By fostering a learning environment that encourages critical thinking and supports students as they navigate difficulties, we aim to better prepare them for the expectations of life beyond high school.

Whether our students choose to pursue college, career pathways, military service, or other opportunities, our goal is to ensure they graduate not only with strong academic knowledge, but with the confidence and skills necessary to meet real-world demands.

This year we will continue to build on the partnerships that make Audubon High School a strong, supportive community. I encourage all families and community members to stay connected, get involved, and help us shape a positive school culture where every student feels valued and inspired to succeed.

On behalf of our dedicated staff and faculty, I welcome you to a year of growth, learning, and excellence. Let’s continue working together to make this year one of our best yet.

Respectfully,

Jeffrey W. Lebb

Principal

We are happy to have Chick-fil-A sponsor our new BE THE "I" IN KIND AWARD at Audubon High School. There are so many students that go out of their way to help other students and teachers. In conjunction with our Character Education programs, these students make a difference and are a huge part of what makes Audubon such a special place. We would like to recognize some of our KIND students. Chick-fil-A has graciously donated gift cards to support our program and the KIND initiative. We will be posting the student recipients of the award in next month's newsletter.

Are you or your business interested in supporting "The Wave", Audubon Jr.-Sr. High School’s monthly digital newsletter? Shared with students, families, staff, board members, and the broader Audubon community, The Wave celebrates the exciting events, achievements, and stories happening in our school. Each edition is promoted on our school website and social media platforms (@ahsprincipal on Instagram and @VPCorley on X) and averages over 4,000 views each month—giving sponsors a strong presence in our community.

As a sponsor, your business will be featured in every edition throughout the 2025–2026 school year. Sponsorship opportunities include:

• Business card placement

• Section sponsorships (e.g., Student of the Month and KIND Awards)

• Visibility on school TVs and recognition boards

We welcome both monetary contributions and gift cards, which will be used for student recognition programs.

To learn more or become a sponsor, please contact Mr. Corley at 856-547-7695 ext. 4122. Additional information is available in the PDF below. We look forward to partnering with you to support our students and celebrate our community!

We'd like to recognize our Food Services staff. They are hard at work on a daily basis from 6:00AM preparing breakfast and lunch for our District's four schools. This dedicated group never gets the recognition they deserve, so we thought it would be nice to feature them in this year's first Newsletter.

Additionally, Ms. Vencius has attached a screenshot guide if you would like to access any of the school's daily/weekly menus. The School Cafe website isn't the easy to navigate, so we thought a step--by-step guide would be helpful. You may email her directly with any questions (kvencius@audubonschools.org).

Click HERE to go our Food Services page on our District's website.

This October, the Audubon Public School District will host the NJDOE's Office of School Preparedness & Emergency Planning fall School Safety Specialist Training Academy.

As the host for this training academy, we will provide an option for participants (school administrators and other school staff from the South Jersey area) to obtain initial certifications for School Safety Specialist. The New Jersey School Safety Specialist Academy provides free training to designated school safety specialists within the state. This training program, developed by the New Jersey Department of Education, focuses on various aspects of school safety and security, including emergency planning, crisis response, and threat assessment. We are excited to be selected as a host for this event.

Dear Audubon Community,

We are excited to announce the first-ever. Career Day and Job Fair at Audubon Junior-Senior High School on Friday, February 13, 2026 This is an initiative designed to introduce our Seniors to both professional career pathways and real-world employment opportunities.

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Part 1: Career Day Presentations

Our students will participate in classroom-based Career Day Presentations. Parents, alumni, and community members are invited to visit and share their professional journeys. Presenters will:

• Discuss their educational background and training.

• Explain the skills and experiences necessary to succeed in their field.

• Offer insight into daily responsibilities and career growth opportunities.

• Answer student questions in a small-group, classroom setting.

This format allows our students to hear directly from professionals, learn about a variety of fields, and gain inspiration as they consider their future paths.

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Part 2: Job Fair

We will also be hosting our inaugural Job Fair in the main gymnasium. This portion of the day is focused on connecting students with employers, organizations, and agencies from across the community. During the fair, participants can:

• Share information about their business or organization.

• Highlight current or future job and internship opportunities.

• Provide details about training, certifications, or education required.

• Engage in face-to-face conversations with students.
  
  

Students will rotate through the fair visiting tables and booths to ask questions, gather resources, and make direct connections with professionals in the workforce.

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Whether you are presenting your career journey, offering current opportunities, or simply introducing students to your industry, your involvement will have a meaningful impact. Together, we can inspire, inform, and help prepare the next generation of workers and leaders.

If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please contact us at 856-547-7695 ext. 4122 or email fcorley@audubonschools.org.

Thank you for supporting our students and school community. With your help, we can open doors and create opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.

Respectfully,

Frank Corley

The Audubon Counseling Department had a busy and productive September, supporting students across all grade levels as they transitioned into the new school year. Our team assisted students with finalizing schedules and monitored attendance to ensure a successful start for all. We welcomed Pennco Tech Automotive for an on-campus visit into our senior English Classes, providing students with valuable insight into career-focused programs, and coordinated upcoming college representative visits to give seniors direct access to information about post-secondary opportunities. Counselors also supported the development of a Dual Credit program with Camden County College, and began planning our annual Financial Aid Night (Oct. 27th) and FAFSA Filing Night (Nov. 12th) to assist families in navigating the college funding process. Additionally, we continued to guide seniors through the college planning process, helping them navigate applications, scholarships, and next steps. Classroom visits with 7th-grade students are currently being conducted to support their transition into Audubon Jr-Sr High School. We are also very excited to welcome our new Mental Health Counselor, Ms. O’Donnell, who has begun working with students to promote mental wellness throughout the school.

September was a strong start to the school year, and the Counseling Department remains committed to supporting students and families.

We’re also excited to share "The Counselor's Corner", a newsletter packed with valuable resources for all students and families! This newsletter is your go-to guide for staying informed and supporting your student's success.

Feel free to follow the Counseling Department on X/Twitter as well. Don’t miss out on these helpful insights—check it out today!

Our Animal Behavior students have been getting to know the mice in class and are now beginning their observational studies and experiments! This hands-on experience helps students learn about animal behavior, data collection, and research skills in a fun and engaging way.

The Middle School Art students are off to a great start! Following our study of the Element of Value, they each chose a reference photo of a shoe. Using various drawing pencils, they looked for the values in their images and recreated them spectacularly! Now on to Still Life!

Mrs. Mueller's Artist of the week: Brayden Johnson (artwork to the right)

Students in Creative Technology learned about the Engineering Design Process. They will use this process throughout the school year for various projects and to solve design problems beyond the classroom. Students were tasked with a spaghetti tower design challenge on the first day of school, then learned about the design process. After learning about the process, they redid the challenge by conducting research, generating possible solutions, selecting the best solution, and building their tower. Many groups were able to improve on their tower's height!

Students, faculty, family members, administrators, alumni and members of the general public will be encouraged to vote for their favorite Rivalry High School football game to be broadcast live on 94WIP and each winning school will receive $3,000 for their athletic departments.

Cast your votes below until Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 11:59pm.

Congratulations to Audubon Baseball Head Coach, Rich Horan, who has been selected to The New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Hall of Fame. This is a prestigious honor, and Coach Horan will be inducted on Sunday January 11, 2026. We appreciate everything you have done for the Audubon Baseball Program over the years!

Class Advisors will be communicating with students and parents using a variety of methods during the school year about events, news, and other updates.

Advisors will use email and articles in our AHS Monthly Newsletter. Additionally, each grade level has a Google Doc of activities categorized by the month. To access the various grade-level activities, please click HERE.

Below is a QR-coded document if you would like to use your mobile device's camera to access the various grade-level activities.

This past Thursday, Mr. May and Mrs. DiMedio started selling Junior High T-Shirts for Spirit Week. Shirts are only $10.00 each!!!

Orders are being taken during the Junior High lunch periods. Students may bring cash or check (made out to ABOE) when they order their shirt. The following sizes are available: Small, Medium, Large, and XL. Students must specify their size when ordering. The last day to place an order will be Monday, October 6th.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. May (nmay@audubonschools.org) or Mrs. DiMedio (cdimedio@audubonschools.org). The shirts will be worn during our Pep Rally during Spirit Week and other days throughout the year.

Click on the link below to see the many clubs and activities that our school has to offer.

As a way to prepare the students, staff, and community for the airing of the TV show on September 10th, Bob Kelly and his team from Fox Philly visited Audubon High School and featured our participants and the school. Both students and staff took part in our 'mini' pep rally and appeared live on Good Day Philadelphia. Links to this appearance as well as the ClassH-Room episode are below.

Fox Philly's The Morning Show

The ClassH-Room TV Show Episode

The Class of 2026 kicked off their final year together with our annual Senior Breakfast. Students gathered to celebrate, share memories, and enjoy a morning filled with good food, laughter, and school spirit. It was a special opportunity for Seniors to come together as a class and mark the beginning of an exciting year ahead.

The remainder of the Senior Sunrise photos will appear in the next issue of THE WAVE. Be on the lookout.

This summer, AHS junior Ari L. was accepted into and attended Harvard University’s MEDscienceLab Forensics program. The one-week, full-day program immersed students in the world of crime scene investigation, offering hands-on experience at a Harvard Medical School research lab. Ari and fellow participants stepped into the role of forensic scientists, investigating mock crime scenes, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and ultimately working together to solve a simulated criminal case. The program combined realistic scenarios with advanced scientific techniques, giving students a rare opportunity to see how science plays a critical role in uncovering the truth.

Throughout the week, Ari practiced essential forensic lab skills, including DNA extraction, fingerprinting, cellular microscopy, PCR, gel electrophoresis, ELISA, and hair and fiber analysis. By conducting these investigations and tests, Ari and the team were able to compile evidence, prepare a detailed laboratory report, and present their findings as if addressing detectives or a judge. The program not only deepened Ari’s understanding of the science behind criminal investigations but also allowed them to experience the collaborative and analytical work of professionals in the field. Ari’s participation highlights both academic excellence and a growing interest in applying science to real-world challenges.

Senior, Rylan Kucharski was selected to attend New Jersey American Legion Boys State, this past June.

Boys from all over the state of New Jersey attended a week at Rider University where High School Juniors participated in the highly respected program where they learned about local, state and federal government by running mock governments and participating in civic activities, while earning three college credits. All expenses were paid by the Audubon American Legion Post 262, Lion's Club and Father's Association.

There will be an announcement after the New Year for Juniors to apply!

Rylan also applied and was a handful of rising seniors selected to attend the Coast Guard Academy Summer Camp, in New London, Connecticut.

The Academy Introduction Mission (AIM) is a one week summer program for high school Juniors, (paid for by the student/family) to give them the opportunity to experience the U.S. Coast Guard Academy first-hand. These students completed a rigorous program to give them a taste of cadet life. Sailing, sports, academic and life skills were all discussed with the students and part of the program.

Applications for AIM camp are open in late winter and all Juniors can apply.

Way to go, Rylan!

S.T.A.R.S.

Students and Teachers Against Racism and Stereotypes

Advisor: Mrs. Mueller

S.T.A.R.S. club members have been back in action!

We have already had several meetings, but are always open to new members!

Our Safe Space Library is also back up and running outside of Mrs. Mueller’s classroom. Come borrow a book or find a token to cheer you up!

Students thrive socially and academically in inclusive schools. S.T.A.R.S. is a club whose goal is to make the Audubon district a tolerant and accepting place for all students. As a group, we plan activities that advocate for all students, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, etc. S.T.A.R.S. sponsors annual events like National Mix It Up Day, National Day of Silence, World Kindness Day, etc.

Join us every Tuesday in the cafeteria during HR!

Each year members of the AHS faculty and staff spend the day volunteering at the Annual Demarco Golf Tournament. The proceeds from the tournament go directly to funding the Demarco scholarship, given to an AHS Senior each year. This year marks the 47th year of the scholarship. Many of the teachers who volunteer for the event have done so for over a decade. Congratulations to our past scholarship recipients and good luck to the future members of the Demarco Scholarship family.

Welcome to the 2025-2026 school year! The Media Center is the hub of AHS and is THE place to inspire creativity, discovery, and curiosity. Students are invited to visit for research, reading, collaboration, tutoring, or simply to visit for a quiet place before and after school. From discovering new authors to working on projects, the Media Center provides resources that support both academic success and personal interests. We look forward to seeing students stop by and make the most of everything the Media Center has to offer!

The Media Center is open Monday to Friday, 7:45am to 3:00pm (longer depending on availability).

Visit us on Instagram: @ahslibrarymediacenter

Below is a small sampling of the READERS in our school and the books they've borrowed during the first few weeks of the school year. Check it out!

Our community needs more hearts like yours.

Whether you want to lend a hand during disasters, support blood drives, or help behind the scenes — there’s a meaningful role for you here. Join a compassionate network of neighbors helping neighbors. Explore volunteer roles that fit your passion and make a real difference.

Check out the Red Cross website for volunteer opportunities:

https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html

AHS is working with BSN Sports to offer custom Audubon apparel to staff and community. These items are not affiliated with any clubs or activities, we are simply providing the community with an opportunity to get general Audubon apparel.

Please continue to support our specific programs as they provide team stores and apparel sales. If interested in purchasing AHS gear, click on the image above and it will take you right to the store.

PLEASE CLICK THE BANNER ABOVE TO COMPLETE THE ALUMNI SURVEY

• Cindy Vanrell Spink graduated in 1992 and participated in Girls Basketball, Winter Track, Spring Track, AHS Concert Choir, Prom Committee, Winter Ball Committee, AHS Concert Choir Social Chairperson, Guidance Office Aid, Concessions. Cindy currently works as a Marketing Program Manager at The Vanguard Group
• Jennifer Wells graduated in 1992 and was a member of the Girls Basketball and Softball teams. Jennifer currently works as an Implementation Specialist at Nuvem.
• Amy Paratore graduated in 1993 and was a member of DECA. Currently, Amy works as a Sales Support Specialist.

• Erin Knoll MacMinn graduated in 1997 and was an active participant in Spring Track during her time in school. She achieved the honor of being named first-team all-conference in 1995, 1996, and 1997. Presently, Erin works as an Emissions Compliance Engineer.
• Sarah (Barry) White, a 1997 graduate, participated in Softball and Cheerleading, was recognized in the Colonial Conference and All-South Jersey Band, earned the Best Drum Major Award at the Chapter Championships in 1996-1997, and was a National Honor Society member. She is now an Officer in the United States Air Force Nurse Corps, currently serving in the NJ Air National Guard, a mother to three wonderful children, and serves as the school nurse at Audubon.

• Jeff Lebb graduated in 1999 after actively participating in multiple sports, including Football, Wrestling, and Baseball, throughout his high school years. Currently, Jeff serves as the Principal of Audubon High School.
• Nicole Piontkowski Stallard, a 1999 graduate, was actively involved in Girls Soccer, Spring Track, Cheerleading, Peer Mediation, and the Yearbook committee during her time in school. She now dedicates her career to education, working as a Math Teacher.

• Amanda Carelli Barbieri graduated in 2001, engaging in various activities during her school years, including participation in band, choir, peer mediation, and intergenerational programs. Currently, Amanda works as a behavioral therapist.

• Nichole Salamone Holt graduated in 2001 and was an active member of the Girls Basketball Program and (Motivating Young Minds Against Drunk Driving. Nicole worked 6 years of claims adjuster, 14 years in the real estate appraising field and office manager, and currently is a Police Dispatcher for the whole county of Camden.
• Lindsay Furman Quinn graduated in 2001 and was actively involved in Girls Soccer, Spring Track, Cheerleading, Student Council, STARS, and French Club during her time in school. She now serves as an Assistant Principal, continuing her dedication to education.
• Katie Ross graduated in 2002 and was actively involved in extracurricular activities during her school years. She participated in Girls Basketball and was a member of the Color Guard from 1997 to 2002. Currently, Katie works as a Patient Care Coordinator.

• Cara Low Gaehring graduated in 2004 and received notable recognition for her achievements. She was honored as a STARS Award recipient and was awarded the Martin Luther King Freedom Medal, showcasing her commitment to promoting equality and social justice. Currently, she works as a Substitute Teacher and Secretary in Audubon.
• Nicole Racite Lombardi, a 2006 graduate, was an active participant in Spring Track, Cheerleading, Band, Choir, the Spring Musical, and Marching Band during her time at school. She now works as a dedicated Special Education Teacher, continuing her passion for helping others.
• Desiree Booth Bisaga graduated in 2008 where she was a member of Girls Tennis, Swimming Choir, Spring Musicals, and Color Guard. Currently she works as the Center Administrative Director for Proud Moments ABA.

• Kieran Boland graduated in 2010, actively participating in various sports during his time in school, including Cross Country, Boys Basketball, Winter Track, and Spring Track. Currently, Kieran works as a Quality Assurance (QA) Engineer
• Erica Paolucci Cavanaugh, a 2010 graduate, was highly involved in activities such as Color Guard, Choir, Student Council, National Honor Society, Spanish Honors Society, during her time at school. She also served as the Varsity Soccer and Swimming Manager, participated in musicals and one-act plays, and contributed to Project Memorial. Erica has been named Educator of the Year in the Mount Holly Township School District, has choreographed musicals at GCIT for the past nine years, and currently works a 5th-grade teacher at Mansion Avenue School.
• Joseph Gaspari graduated in 2023 and is currently in college. At Audubon he participated in Cross Country, Winter Track, Spring Track where he helped Audubon win a 2020 Boys XC sectional championship, 2021 Boys XC sectional championship and first Audubon's ever state championship in Cross Country and boys Spring Track State Championship.

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