Page 4 • Wednesday , April 20 , 2022 • The Hammonton Gazette
V . P . Linda Byrnes led board of ed meeting on April 7
SCHOOL , from Page 1 were present at the Samuel A . Donio Memorial Library except for Board President Sam Mento III , Board Member Raymond Scipione and Folsom Representative John Thomas who were absent .
Chieco talked about Jones impact on the students , staff and community at the Hammonton School District .
“ Our school community recently lost a member of our family . Cpl . Richard Jones passed away suddenly last week . Richie served as the SRO [ School Resource Officer ] at the high school for many years . He formed many relationships with students and staff and touched many lives .
“ Richie came to work every day with a smile on his face . He truly enjoyed being in our schools and was always willing to lend a helping hand or a friendly ear . No matter the occasion whether it was a football game , the HOP , prom or simply the cafeteria , Richie was always there .
“ One of my fondest memories of him was at the prom at the promenade for the prom where Richie escorted a student who didn ’ t have anyone . He truly loved his job and went above and beyond to help students .
“ A few years ago a student came to Officer Jones because he was worried that a friend was going to hurt himself . The student sought out Richie because he knew he would listen . Richie was able to notify the local police department to get help and time to save that student .
“ These are just a few of the occasions where Cpl . Jones made a
difference . More than his love for the school was his love for his family . Our thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and Brandon , and we hope you find comfort knowing how many people were influenced by Richie . At this time I ’ d like to call for a moment of silence in recognition of the passing of Officer Jones ,” Chieco said .
Byrnes then read a statement from Mento who was absent .
“ Good evening . I ’ m sorry I could not attend tonight ’ s meeting . I want to begin by expressing my sorrow and my condolences to Officer Jones and his family . I feel comfortable when I say the entire school district is at a loss . He was a beloved staff member who impacted many students lives and will sorely be missed by all ,” Byrnes said .
In Mento ’ s statement , Byrnes said the district will have the “ first of several non-touched filtered water stations that will be installed at the Warren E . Sooy Elementary School ( WES ) building .”
“ We will continue to retrofit these units into older traditional wall-mount fountains located throughout all four school buildings ,” Byrnes said .
“ We continue to work with the town at the middle school tennis courts and have a verbal agreement to continue the shared service agreement to completely resurface all six courts , Byrnes said .
Students will be able to adjust nets to play pickleball .
Byrnes said Mento had a productive conversation with Mayor Stephen DiDonato earlier in the week regarding the Hawks and the use of the William T . Capella field .
See BOARD , Page 12
Peterson , Capoferri remember Baldwin
DANCE , from Page 2 professionally . When I came back , I got in touch with her and returned to teach . I ’ ve been back 14 years ,” Peterson said .
During their long relationship together , Baldwin became many things to Peterson , she said .
“ For me personally , she was my teacher , and then my mentor , and then a best friend . To me , she taught me to be a professional dancer , because she expected a lot from us . You ’ ve seen her recitals — they are far above the level of the normal dance recitals ,” Peterson said .
Now the grown-up former students are bringing their children to Dance Magic , she said .
“ A testament to her is we have taught generations of dancers at Dance Magic . Right now in this current year , I feel there are so many parents who are former dancers that have their girls at the studio this year ,” Peterson said .
In addition to the more traditional dance lessons provided by studios , Dance Magic is also home to the “ Dancing Dads ,” a local group of dancers ’ fathers who danced themselves and became a favorite at parades and recitals .
“ She just wanted to have the parents involved in a different way , and to have the dads involved instead of the moms just made it more fun . She knew it didn ’ t have to be serious . Later on , a bunch of them came back to a reunion during one of the anniversary years . It was a lot of fun ,” Peterson said .
Peterson felt Baldwin ’ s legacy resides in the hearts , minds and feet of generations of dancers who also gained life lessons as they were learning their steps .
“ Her love for dance is what started the studio . She wanted to pass that on to little girls . But it just became so much more than that . Multiple students have told me that Dawn taught them so much more : how to have confidence in themselves , how to believe in themselves . They carried what she taught them into any aspect of their lives . I ’ m the dancer and the teacher that I am today because of her ,” Peterson said .
According to her obituary , Baldwin was originally from North Babylon , New York where she discovered her passion for dance at June Claire Studios studying with Lynda Gasche . She came to Atlantic City in 1980 when she was cast in The Brighton Hotel Casino production of “ Hello Broadway .”
She married her husband , Dwight Baldwin , in 1982 . In that same year they opened the Dance Magic Dance Studio , her obituary said .
Outside of her passion for dance , Baldwin dedicated her time to charity and her community . She choreographed the Hammonton High School musical for the past 30 years ; organized the Hammonton Christmas tree lighting ; and was the vice president of the Hammonton Cancer Foundation where she helped organize many fundraising events . She also served on the Hammonton Board of Education .
Former Hammonton Board of Education President Robert Capoferri served on the board with Baldwin when the referendum for the new Hammonton High School was passed in 1999 .
“ Dawn was always willing to learn . She came to all the committee meetings . She was an advocate for the kids . It ’ s a big loss ,” Capoferri said .
Baldwin is predeceased by her father , John Alex and mother , Carol “ Bo ” Rueger . She is survived by her husband , Dwight ; two sons , Max ( Waldy ) and Alex ( Megan ); a granddaughter , Hayleigh ; and her brother , Scott Alex .
“ The family would like to thank the community for the outpouring of love for Dawn ,” her obituary said .
Family and friends were invited to attend See DAWN , from Page 16
Dawn Baldwin