MORRIS COUNTY — The National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) is now accepting applications for its 2025 National Scholarship Program, offering a valuable opportunity for students of Puerto Rican descent to pursue their educational goals. Now in its seventh consecutive year, the program will award 100 scholarships of $2,000 each, totaling $200,000 in financial aid to outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence and community involvement.

Scholarship Eligibility and Requirements

To be considered for this prestigious scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be of Puerto Rican descent.
• Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Be between the ages of 17 and 25.
• Be a high school senior or a full-time college student (freshman through junior year).
• Be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college/university.
• Have a demonstrated history of volunteer work or community service.
• Participate in an interview with the scholarship selection committee.

Past recipients of the scholarship are eligible to reapply, provided they meet all requirements.

How to Apply

Interested students must complete and submit their applications electronically via the official NPRDP website: www.nprdpinc.org/scholarship

The deadline to submit applications and academic transcripts is Friday, March 14, 2025. Late submissions will not be considered.

Application Package Must Include:

• A completed application form.
• An essay.
• A written biography.
• Two letters of recommendation (one must be from the organization where the student performs volunteer work).

To ensure timely submission of academic transcripts and recommendations, applicants are advised to request these documents from school administrators well in advance.

A Commitment to Education and Community

The NPRDP Scholarship Program is part of the organization’s mission to empower the Puerto Rican community by supporting students in their pursuit of higher education. By recognizing academic achievement and leadership, the program aims to inspire young Puerto Ricans to excel in their studies and give back to their communities.

For more information and to apply, visit www.nprdpinc.org/scholarship. Don’t miss this opportunity to receive financial assistance and become part of a growing network of successful Puerto Rican scholars!

El Desfile Nacional Puertorriqueño (NPRDP) ha abierto el proceso de solicitud para su Programa Nacional de Becas 2025, ofreciendo una valiosa oportunidad para que estudiantes de ascendencia puertorriqueña persigan sus metas educativas. Ahora en su séptimo año consecutivo, el programa otorgará 100 becas de $2,000 cada una, sumando un total de $200,000 en ayuda financiera para estudiantes sobresalientes que demuestren excelencia académica y compromiso con su comunidad.

Elegibilidad y Requisitos para la Beca

Para ser considerado para esta prestigiosa beca, los solicitantes deben cumplir con los siguientes criterios:

•Ser de ascendencia puertorriqueña.
•Mantener un promedio académico (GPA) de 3.0 o superior.
•Tener entre 17 y 25 años de edad.
•Ser estudiante de último año de secundaria (high school senior) o estudiante universitario de tiempo completo (de primer a tercer año).
•Estar inscrito en una universidad o colegio acreditado de dos o cuatro años.
•Tener un historial comprobado de trabajo voluntario o servicio comunitario.
•Participar en una entrevista con el comité de selección de becas.

Los beneficiarios anteriores de la beca pueden volver a postularse, siempre que cumplan con todos los requisitos.

Cómo Aplicar

Los estudiantes interesados deben completar y enviar su solicitud de manera electrónica a través del sitio web oficial del NPRDP:
• www.nprdpinc.org/scholarship

•Fecha límite para enviar solicitudes y expedientes académicos: viernes, 14 de marzo de 2025.
•No se aceptarán solicitudes enviadas fuera de la fecha límite.

Documentos Requeridos en la Solicitud:

•Formulario de solicitud completo.
•Ensayo.
•Biografía escrita.
•Dos cartas de recomendación (una debe ser de la organización donde el estudiante realiza trabajo voluntario).

Para garantizar la entrega oportuna de expedientes académicos y cartas de recomendación, se recomienda a los solicitantes solicitar estos documentos a los administradores escolares con suficiente antelación.

Compromiso con la Educación y la Comunidad

El Programa de Becas del NPRDP forma parte de la misión de la organización de empoderar a la comunidad puertorriqueña apoyando a los estudiantes en su camino hacia la educación superior. Al reconocer el rendimiento académico y el liderazgo, el programa busca inspirar a los jóvenes puertorriqueños a sobresalir en sus estudios y retribuir a sus comunidades.

Para más información y para postularse, visita:
•www.nprdpinc.org/scholarship

• ¡No pierdas esta oportunidad de recibir asistencia financiera y formar parte de una creciente red de estudiantes puertorriqueños exitosos!

DOVER — The Town of Dover Mayor and Council will meet on Tuesday, March 11 at 7:00 p.m. at 37 North Sussex Street.

Click here to download the agenda.

This meeting is being held in accordance with the Open Public Meetings Act, also known as the Sunshine Law, N_.J.S.A. 10:4-6.” Notice of the meeting was sent to the Daily Record and Citizen on Thursday, January 2, 2025, and published in the Daily Record on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, and the Citizen on Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Notice was also posted on the Bulletin Board of the Municipal Building. These notices were sent within 48 hours before this meeting, and insufficient time for the publications to publish them. A copy of said notice is on file with the Municipal Clerk. It should be noted that an interpreter is present if a resident should need one.

Mayor James Dodd
(December 31, 2027)

Claudia P. Toro
Council Member – First Ward
(December 31, 2025)

Sandra Wittner
Council Member – First Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Sergio Rodriguez
Council Member – Second Ward
(December 31, 2025)

Geovani Estacio
Council Member – Second Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Michael Scarneo
Council Member – Third Ward
(December 31, 2025)

Veronica Velez
Council Member – Third Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Marcos Tapia, Sr.
Council Member – Fourth Ward
(December 31, 2026)

Arturo “A.B.” Santana
Council Member – Fourth Ward
(December 31, 2025)

DOVER – St. John’s Episcopal Church brings a taste of tradition to the community with its highly anticipated Pasty Sale on Saturday, April 5. This delicious fundraiser will take place at the church, located at 11 S. Bergen Street, Dover, where supporters can pick up their pre-ordered pasties starting at 12:30 p.m.

The pasty, a beloved pastry filled with a hearty mixture of meat and vegetables, has long been a comfort food for many, and the members of St. John’s Episcopal are excited to share their homemade versions with the community. Each pasty is made with care and available for $9.00 a piece, with proceeds directly benefiting the church’s outreach programs and local charitable efforts.

“We love hosting this event because it brings people together while supporting a great cause,” said one of the organizers. “Every purchase helps us continue our service mission in the Dover area.”

Those interested in securing their pasties are encouraged to call (973) 366-2772 to place an order. Due to high demand, early reservations are recommended.

St. John’s Episcopal Church has been a cornerstone of the Dover community for years, offering spiritual guidance, community support, and charitable initiatives. This fundraiser is one of many ways the church engages with and gives back to the local area.

Mark your calendars, and don’t miss this chance to enjoy a delicious meal while making a meaningful contribution to the community!

As the weather warms and days lengthen, the Dover Police Department invites residents to a Coffee with a Cop event. This gathering will focus on traffic and pedestrian safety and introduce the special needs registry.​

• Date: Tuesday, March 11​
• Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM​
• Location: Dover Free Public Library, 32 East Clinton Street, Dover

This event offers a relaxed setting to discuss community concerns and enhance neighborhood safety. All are welcome to attend.​

We hope to see you there!

DOVER — Dover High School will bring the Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical, “Little Shop of Horrors,” to life this spring with a talented cast and thrilling production.

Performances will take place at the Dover High School Auditorium, 100 Grace Street, on the following dates:
•Friday, March 14 – 7:00 p.m.
•Saturday, March 15 – 7:00 p.m.
•Sunday, March 16 – 2:00 p.m.

A Cult Classic Comes to Dover

One of the longest-running Off-Broadway shows, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a dark, tongue-in-cheek musical comedy performed worldwide with great success. The show follows Seymour Krelborn, a shy floral assistant who discovers a mysterious plant he names “Audrey II”, after his coworker crush. However, Seymour soon realizes that Audrey II is no ordinary plant—it’s a bloodthirsty, R&B-singing carnivore with evil origins and a desire for global domination. As Seymour struggles with his moral dilemma, the musical unfolds into a wildly entertaining mix of comedy, horror, and catchy tunes.

Meet the Cast & Crew

The Dover High School production features an ensemble of talented student performers:
•Noah Cardona-Sanchez as Seymour
•Yanalis Cotto as Audrey
•Christopher Escobar as Audrey II
•Nicholas Moraga as Orin Scrivello, DDS
•Dakota Chacon as Mr. Mushnik
•Angeles Gandhi as Chiffon
•Michaela Cedeño as Crystal
•Emily Tyrone as Ronnette
•Aaliyah Ishtiaq as The Derelict
•Natali Garnica as Bernstein
•Joseph Rosales as Snip

Dover High School music teacher Daniel Vazquez directs the production.

A Unique Role for Audrey II

Christopher Escobar, who plays the murderous plant, Audrey II, shared his excitement about the role.

“I love how Seymour slowly descends into insanity—how subtle it starts out and how explosive his final moments are,” he said.

Escobar, who has performed in three musicals and one play, said this role has been the most challenging and unique for him vocally.

“I’d say this show is very gimmicky and can be very fun at times, but it can also get frustrating trying to figure it out. Overall, I’ve had an extreme amount of fun,” he added.

While the students did not build the plant, the school rented it from Music Theatre International, along with the performance rights.

“As for the puppeteering, from my understanding, there’s someone inside the plant that lip-syncs to the voice of the plant, using their entire body to move it around,” Escobar explained.

Get Your Tickets!

•All tickets are $7.00 and can be purchased at the Dover High School main office or at the box office on the day of the performance.
•Senior citizens are admitted free!
•For tickets or more information, call (973) 989-2010.

Don’t miss Dover High School’s thrilling production of “Little Shop of Horrors”—a show packed with laughs, thrills, and unforgettable music!