Dear Editor:
I am writing this letter to explain why my family and I have chosen to endorse Patricia Belenski for a position as school trustee. For starters, I have known Pat for over 20 years, and she has always shown me strength, determination, and loyalty. She is a single mom to her son Sean, who has been in the Secaucus School System for over 10 years. You may know her as Sean’s Mom, Class Mother for eight of those 10 years, always being involved in her son’s education. You may also know her as “Pat from Il Forno’s” where she has worked diligently for over eight years. You may even know her as the assertive mother who has either asked you to donate something, donate your time, or attend a charitable affair, all on her own time. Most recently, you may know her as a very passionate, well informed citizen who speaks for what she believes in at our council meetings.
Her accomplishments are not to be taken lightly. She was a member of the first graduating class of 1977. That same year, she started Art Classes for the Senior Citizens at the Elms with a grant from National Endowment for the Arts, which she procured on her own as a senior in High School. Pat has a not one but two Bachelor Degrees (Psychology and Art History), has interned in two Jersey City Public Schools, volunteered her time in Integrity House as a counselor, and is a current religious educator at our local ICS. All this being accomplished as she is currently taking classes for her Masters Degree in Psychology.
Her current extra-curricular activities include being a member of the Climate and Culture Committee for the Secaucus School District. Pat also serves on the interlocal committee with the Mayor, Councilman Schinick, Councilman Bueckner, Mrs. Randina (superintendent of schools), Jack McStowe, Frank Trombetta, and Tom Troyer.
Pat has also recently been sworn in at the Hudson County Court as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children of New Jersey by Judge Foti. One more thing you may not be aware of is that for the last four months, Pat has been working to initiate “Partners in Education” with the Board of Education. This is the program where the businesses in Secaucus can not only help with the fiscal burden of the budget which will affect our taxes, but also get involved with our children as mentors. Pat has initiated this on her own, once again showing her zeal for starting something and seeing it through until the end.
In closing, I have nothing to gain if Pat is chosen for this position, other than knowing there is a sincere, well informed, educated mother who is fighting for what she believes in when it come to the education of our children as well as the prosperity of our town.
Sincerely,
Laurie McGuinness