MORRIS COUNTY — Future health care workers, scientists, tradespeople and artists were among 25 NewBridge JobsPlus graduates who celebrated earning their high school diplomas at a commencement ceremony.

“I stand here today as a product of making it back,” said Kasiem Mollette, who spoke openly about battling depression and surviving attempts to end his life. He urged classmates to prioritize their mental health and never give up.

Sisters Mariana Matos and Virginia Leal came to NewBridge JobsPlus after being homeschooled. Matos, a pharmacy technician, plans to study environmental science at County College of Morris. Leal had struggled to pass the high school exam on her own before receiving the academic support she needed and has since joined the U.S. Marine Corps.

Yasell Castillo, 16, once dreaded going to high school and began skipping classes. At NewBridge JobsPlus, he flourished with support from staff and the friendships he formed.

“The time in NewBridge was some of the best time of my life,” said Castillo, who plans to train as an electrician. “It made me love school.”

Other members of the graduating class are pursuing nursing, fashion design, music production, HVAC and careers working with animals.

For 43 years, NewBridge JobsPlus has helped Morris County young adults overcome challenges, earn their diplomas and prepare for college and careers through academic support, coaching, skills training and counseling. NewBridge JobsPlus is funded by the Workforce Development Board, Morris-Sussex-Warren Employment Training Services and NewBridge supporters.

Graduating class honors went to Kasiem Mollette, Perseverance Award; Virginia Leal, Associate of the Year; Mariana Matos, Parker Endowment Scholarship; Justin Lopez, James Ryan Memorial Scholarship Award; Natali Quintuna, Isobel Wayrick Memorial Scholarship; Christian Garcia Martinez, Parker Endowment Scholarship; and Sal Hildebrand, Alumni Appreciation Scholarship Award.

MORRIS COUNTY — Morris County Commissioner Deputy Director John Krickus attended a formal signing ceremony this week celebrating the County College of Morris’s acquisition of The Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. Classes begin this fall.

Building on The Joe Kubert School’s 50-year legacy of artistic excellence, the acquisition brings an iconic name in comics and graphic art education to CCM and creates new career pathways for aspiring artists, illustrators and visual storytellers. CCM President Anthony Iacono was joined by The Joe Kubert School Director Anthony Marques and Associate Director Jaclyn Marques for the signing ceremony.

“Investing in CCM is an investment in Morris County’s future workforce and economy. The more opportunities we create for students to gain specialized, career-ready skills, the stronger our communities and local businesses become,” said Deputy Director Krickus.

MORRIS COUNTY — In recognition of national “Make a Will” month, Morris County Surrogate Heather Darling continues to deliver in-person seminars across the county. “It is my focus to raise awareness about estate planning and to encourage Morris County residents to create a will or update the one they have,” said Surrogate Darling.

Darling recently met with the Mine Hill “Good Years Club” senior group, where she discussed the probate process and answered questions from attendees. Darling reinforced that estate planning is vital because it ensures a person’s property goes to the people they choose and, most importantly, names guardians for minor children. “Without a plan, state laws may control your assets,” Darling said.

Darling focuses her talks on the Morris County Surrogate’s office and its services, including new service methods, to help residents understand the importance of creating a will and keeping their planning in order. Attendees are provided with both “A Citizens Guide to Wills, Trusts and Estates” and a “Personal Record” created by the Morris County Surrogate’s Court for individuals to document important personal information in the event of an emergency. The Personal Record serves as a road map for family members or an executor when needed. Both booklets are available to download on the Surrogate’s website.

Darling will continue to provide seminars on estate planning and other topics. For more information, visit www.morrissurrogate.com.

RANDOLPH — Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, president of County College of Morris, has been named the 2026 Chief Executive Officer for the Northeast Region by the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT).

The award recognizes exceptional leadership among community college presidents throughout the Northeast, honoring Iacono’s commitment to expanding pathways to higher education and career advancement.

“I am truly humbled and honored, considering the many exceptional presidents throughout the region, to be selected as ACCT’s CEO of the Northeastern region,” Iacono said. “My deepest gratitude to CCM’s Board of Trustees for their nomination, trust and continued support.”

Paul R. Licitra, chair of CCM’s Board of Trustees, said Iacono’s leadership has elevated the college while keeping students at the center of every decision, and that his ability to expand academic opportunities and build partnerships has strengthened the college’s impact throughout Morris County and beyond.

Under Iacono’s leadership, CCM has connected students to degree and certificate programs while helping ensure businesses have access to needed talent, through initiatives including College Promise Programs that create pathways to college for local high school students. CCM graduates rank among the highest paid alumni from community college graduates in New Jersey.

The college continues to expand its facilities and partnerships, including the soon-to-open 80,000-square-foot Center for Health Professions, an Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Center, and the Center for Entrepreneurship & Culinary Science, developed with the Morris County Chamber of Commerce and home to the Culinary and Hospitality Arts Institute of New Jersey. The Morris County Career Training Center, operated by the Morris County Vocational School District, opened on the CCM campus last year, further expanding opportunities for high school students.

CCM will soon launch Dental Hygiene, Dental Assisting and Dental Radiography programs in its Center for Health Professions, supported by a $1 million grant from the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation. The college was also selected as one of only two New Jersey community colleges to partner with the AI Hub at Princeton University and the New Jersey Council of County Colleges for the state’s first U.S. Department of Labor Registered Data Scientist AI Apprenticeship grant. Among its newest initiatives is CCM’s Cyber Security Center and Ethical Hacking Lab, the first in New Jersey to be endorsed by the Department of Homeland Security.

During Iacono’s tenure, CCM has earned one of the highest graduation and transfer rates among New Jersey’s community colleges. College officials say the growth in facilities and programs has strengthened CCM’s role as a partner to local businesses and industries, supporting workforce development and economic mobility throughout Morris County.

Iacono also thanked CCM’s faculty, staff and administration, as well as ACCT, for their roles in the college’s work. The Association of Community College Trustees is a nonprofit representing more than 6,500 elected and appointed trustees who govern more than 1,000 community, technical and junior colleges in the United States and beyond.

For more information about CCM, visit ccm.edu.

MORRIS COUNTY — The 44th Annual Lead East Classic Car Show and Festival will take place Thursday, September 3, through Sunday, September 6, over Labor Day weekend at the Hilton Parsippany, 1 Hilton Court.

Billed as the largest oldies party around, the festival features concerts, classic cars, specialty cars, vendors and special guests. The event celebrates decades of legendary rock ‘n’ roll music with more than 34 live bands and musicians, plus five DJs performing both indoors and outdoors. Organizers say more than one million people have attended Lead East events over the years.

As part of the weekend’s lineup, American Music LLC presents The Doo Wop Project on Saturday, September 5, with opening act Memories Music. Radio personality Alan David Stein will serve as master of ceremonies for the evening. Tickets for the concert can be purchased by clicking here.

Since 1982, Lead East has offered a full weekend of classic cars and music, with two indoor stages, an outdoor stage and additional performance areas. The event includes drive-in movies, indoor films and cartoons for children, a clown brigade, and vendors selling food, refreshments, vintage clothing and other goods both indoors and outdoors. Food trucks and restaurant vendors offer a range of dining options, and the Hilton sells alcoholic beverages inside the hotel, with beer also available in the parking lot.

Weekend spectator wristbands cost $55 for adults and $45 for juniors ages 12 to 16. One-day admission is $20 for adults and $15 for juniors, with daily rates varying: $10 for adults and $5 for juniors on Thursday, $15 and $10 on Friday, $25 and $20 on Saturday, and $20 and $15 on Sunday. Children under 12 are admitted free. A one-day family plan, which includes two adults and all children up to age 16, costs $50. One-day car plans are $50 for a driver and passenger, or $35 for a driver with no passenger.

For more information, contact 908-876-9100 or [email protected].

Want me to post this as a draft on parsippanyfocus.com, and should I use the Lead East flyer as the featured image?

post

Sifting