Brick Township Student Pays It Forward

A couple of weeks ago I did a Hometown View on Friends Helping Friends of New Jersey who will hold a fundraising event on Friday that will benefit several local people facing medical challenges. 

One of them is 9-year old Michael Rankin of Toms River, who was diagnosed with leukemia late last year but right now has responded very well to treatment.  Among those who heard my segment that day was Nicholas Moglia, a junior at Brick Township High School and a standout baseball player for the Green Dragons.

Nick went on the website for Friends Helping Friends of New Jersey and sent an email expressing an interest in helping Michael in a rather unique way.

Turns out that Moglia has been selected to represent New Jersey at The Power Showcase Home Run Derby in Miami in early January and as part of that he can help raise money for a local child by getting sponsors and he has chosen Michael, who plays little league and travel baseball.

Nick has asked to meet Michael and his family before heading to Florida and after the showcase will present the youngster with a special home run ball.  At 16 years of age and already 6’5 Moglia is more than just a talented first baseman and pitcher…he’s a young man who knows the meaning of “paying it forward.”

Name the first and only high school in Ocean County to award varsity letters in Equestrian?  If you said Monsignor Donovan you are correct.  The school established an Equestrian Club last year which meets regularly and has hosted several fundraisers to benefit horse rescue organizations and the girls participate in riding programs and horse shows.  Athletic Director Joe Gomulka recently presented varsity letters to Anna Sucar, Dakota Montemarano, Amanda Santos, Brooke Buchan and Brielle Roman.

The semifinals of the Shore Conference Girls Soccer Tournament are scheduled for tonight in Neptune with Central and Toms River South looking to set up what would be a championship game with plenty of interesting angles to it.  The surprising Golden Eagles, who were seeded 13^th, have knocked off Donovan, Toms River North and Holmdel and at 7pm face #1 ranked Freehold Boro.

The 2^nd seeded South Indians look to make Red Bank Catholic their third straight parochial school victims when they meet at 5pm with both games at the Summerfield School.