Once a Wildcat:
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Staff and Alumni
In Memorium: Here's to You, Mr. Vaux
Stephen Vaux, longtime substitute and Wildcat passes away at age 71.
by Carolyn Kobilnynk
Stephen E. Vaux, a substitute teacher and member of the Pinelands athletic department, passed away on October 20, 2020. Prior to working at Pinelands, Vaux was a U.S. Navy Veteran serving from 1970-1972 and a linesman for Bell Atlantic in Absecon. It was after Vaux retired that he spent 20 years substitute teaching and working sporting events for Pinelands, helping with everything from football chain crew to wrestling time keeper. Vaux’s family was also involved with the school--his wife, Kathleen Vaux being a substitute school nurse for Pinelands School District and both of them being the proud Pinelands parents of their two sons, Ryan and Brett Vaux.
Vaux is well-remembered by his colleagues who recall good memories and is described by many as someone who loved staff, students, and athletics at Pinelands
Many teachers liked Vaux as a substitute. Spanish teacher, Nathaniel Kirby says he always knew his students were in good hands with Vaux and that his joy and positivity will be missed.
Physical Education teacher, Joseph Tobin reminisces, “Mr. Vaux was one of the biggest fans of Wildcat athletics. He would tell it to you straight too! At first, he would question you about coaching decisions. Once he was around more and more he agreed with you but was not afraid to disagree with you. It was fun getting his perspective as a fan and a parent. I really enjoyed our discussions over the years. When I was the baseball coach (head coach 10 years), he was a critic of mine. When he was invited to practices, he became a fan of the program. I always knew I could go to him when I needed an impartial opinion. I will miss him being around the programs. God rest his soul. Prayers to his family and friends.”
Vaux will be greatly missed for his dedication to Pinelands athletics, his service as a substitute, and the lasting impression he had on his colleagues.
Welcome Back Home, Mr. Barr
One of Pinelands Theatre's unsung heroes returns to the stage after a near fatal accident.
by Carolyn Kobilnyk
After being seriously injured in a terrible accident with a passing vehicle, Scott Barr, a retired LBI police officer who has volunteered and dedicated his spare time for 12 years to Pinelands Theatre Department set construction staff, was welcomed back to Pinelands last year after fighting for his life in the hospital. There was a point he died and was brought back to life. After enduring this monumental challenge, Barr came back to Pinelands, volunteering for set production again for the recent show, Almost Maine.
In the past, Barr has helped with set construction and break down of the sets, large prop and character creation, and fly track removal, which is the upper part of the stage where scenery, drapery, and equipment can be suspended out of the view of the audience.In his first show, A Christmas Carol, in 2011, Barr helped in creating the “Ghost of Christmas Past,” a 12 foot tall creature that housed a puppeteer to move his limbs. Some of his favorite projects were creating the plants in Little Shop of Horrors, the dragon in Shrek, and the horse-drawn carriage in Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Alongside character creations, Barr used his carpentry skills to take part in important projects like ensuring the stairs were sturdy and safe for Cinderella.
Prior to dedicating his time to Pinelands theater, Barr became an officer for the Ship Bottom Police Department in 1989 and retired in 2014. While he was there, Barr was promoted from a First Class Officer to Detective and Sergeant. He was also a member of the Ocean County SWAT team.
On October 12, 2019, Barr, now a retired officer, was with his wife, Kathleen Barr, when he went over to assist a disabled vehicle on the Garden State Parkway. The crashed car was then hit by a passing vehicle pinning Barr between the two vehicles. He does not remember the accident, but his wife told him what happened. After the accident, Barr had to get his leg amputated and had to undergo physical therapy which he still attends. After not being able to walk or sit up at first, he can now walk with arm crutches.
Recently, Barr was back helping the theater department but he had to pace himself. He found it easier to work from his wheelchair which he says makes things more challenging in a construction setting, but he also finds it easier to help with smaller projects that he can do at home.
During one of the performances of Mary Poppins last year, Barr received a surprise welcome back with stage crew and actors lining up in a officer-style tribute to cheer him on as he entered the theater. Barr says it was unbelievable and he will never forget it.
Upon his return, Barr gave this message to his Pinelands family: “Our entire family has been so abundantly supported throughout this ongoing process. I am so thankful to be a part of supporting our theater department. It is more than just shows. It is a family and one that we love very much.”
Chef Brittany Rescigno has got Cooking "Chops"
Pinelands alum tells about life in the culinary world and on reality TV.
by Christine Carrubba
Growing up in New Gretna, New Jersey, Chef Brittany Rescigno discovered her love for cooking inside her family’s restaurant, Allen’s Clam Bar. While in high school, Rescigno took all the cooking classes she could to learn more about her passion. Before graduating from Pinelands Regional High School, Rescigno received her acceptance letter for CIA (Culinary Institute of America).
“Through high school, I took all the cooking classes I could with Ms. [Marsha] Moore. She pushed me to apply to all the best culinary schools. If you look in the 2007 yearbook, it says I was going to Le Cordon Bleu. One of the last weeks of school, I got accepted to CIA in Hyde Park, NY, which is where I graduated from with my AOS in Culinary Arts,” Rescigno reports.
After high school, Rescigno expanded her career further and had the opportunity to appear on Chopped, a cooking tv show that challenges chefs with time limited cooking challenges. She trained for the show by preparing friends and family meals with only a limited amount of time on the clock.
Rescigno entered the competition as a contestant and walked out with the title as the winner of the episode. Later, she was invited to be on Chopped Champions tournament.
“Chopped was one of the best experiences of my life. It was so much fun. So much pressure and stress. I loved it. I’ve always loved competing since I was little. Whether it was sports or cooking competitions, I’ve always loved the adrenaline rush that came from it," Rescigno reports.
After her achievement, Rescigno returned to California where she resided for a bit, She helped run the restaurant, Nom Burger, with her friend, Regina. Rescigno briefly talked about her experience while working at Nom Burger and claimed it was always a fun environment to work in.
Rescigno moved back to New Jersey where she currently resides. She is working as the executive chef at Delaware Avenue Oyster House, located in Beach Haven, New Jersey. Rescigno hopes to one day own her very own restaurant.
Mrs. Tierney Waves Pinelands Goodbye
Teacher Spotlight
by Carolyn Kobilnynk
Kathleen Tierney, a special education teacher who provides support and services to students whose learning styles differ from those of their classmates, left Pinelands Regional School District on October 30th to work for the New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
Previously, Tierney modified assignments for the specific needs and learning styles of her students. In this next phase of her career, Tierney will help students with visual impairments with Braille and blindness-related skills.
“The services I will be providing include assessment and evaluation of a child’s visual abilities, and when applicable, instruction in Braille and blindness- related skills,” according to Tierney.
Tierney is excited for the new day-to-day challenges of determining appropriate methods of assisting teachers in finding the best way to help students who struggle mastering content; however, she says she will need to adapt to the whirlwind of teaching Braille and performing Functional Vision assessments.
Without question, Tierney is looking forward to continuing to make a difference in the field of special education but will miss the staff she has worked with and the laughter they have shared. She says the best part of her job here was the connections she made with staff and students. She has loved to see her students grow up and see how successful they have become both professionally and personally.
When asked what last message she would leave for Pinelands, Tierney said, “Thanks for memories, Pinelands!!!”
