editor ’ sletter
Within its 25 square miles , the township of Wayne contains multitudes . This has been especially apparent while putting together our Back to School issue . Four of our articles , read together , illustrate wildly different ways area residents are making their marks .
In “ Hunting for the Past ,” Wayne brothers Rick and Bill Grotz carry on their late father ’ s tradition of hunting Native American artifacts . Mother and daughter Stani Hajbi and Racha Ahmad , who are not only resilient refugees but 2023 William Paterson University graduates , give us hope for the future in “ Syrian Success Story .” Our cover story subject , “ Stokes Goes Pro ,” shares how Totowa ’ s Aidan
CINDY SCHWEICH HANDLER
Stokes is already impressing soccer recruiters ; the 15-year-old recently signed — correction : due to his age , his parents signed — anMLS NEXT Pro contract with the New York Red Bulls for the 2023 season .
And our featured Neighbor , Bryan Bzdek , has taken what he learned in the Wayne public schools and beyond to the University of Bristol in England , where the Royal Society of Chemistry recently awarded his research group the Marlow Prize for their contributions to the field of aerosol physical chemistry . ( Bzdek researched how aerosols transmit COVID .)
What other feats of intelligence , ingenuity and physical prowess are being accomplished even as Itype this ? Let us know at WayneMag @ northjersey . com . ■
corrections
The correct address for CHARISMA 7ANTIQUES , VINTAGE CLOTHING AND JEWELRY — winner in the Favorite Antique or Collectibles Shop category in Wayne ’ s 2023 Readers ’ Choice Awards — is212 Wanaque Ave . in Pompton Lakes .
BACK TO SCHOOL 2023
PUBLISHED BY North Jersey Media Group
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ON THE COVER PASSAIC VALLEY SOPHOMORE AIDAN STOKES PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW YORK RED BULLS
2 BACK TOSCHOOL 2023 WAYNE MAGAZINE