NEW MILFORD, NJ &mdash; June 2, 2026 &mdash; Ray Cottiers, named 2025 New Milford District Teacher of the Year and 2025 Bergen County Wrestling Coach of the Year, announced today that he is leaving public education to lead Varsity Prep USA full-time, the youth enrichment organization he founded in 2018.&nbsp;
The decision marks the end of a decade-plus career in education and coaching and the beginning of a new chapter focused on expanding Varsity Prep USA across northern New Jersey.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Teaching and coaching shaped everything I know about working with kids. Walking away from both wasn&rsquo;t easy. But every summer I&rsquo;d see a kid show up to camp on day one barely talking to anyone, and by Friday they were leading their group. After eight summers of that, I knew I wanted to do this work year-round,&rdquo; said Cottiers.&nbsp;
A Program Built by Educators&nbsp;
Operating in partnership with New Milford Public Schools, Varsity Prep USA serves children from pre-K through middle school through summer camps, enrichment programs, sports clinics, leadership opportunities, and experiential travel programming.&nbsp;
Since launching in 2018, the organization has grown from a single summer program into a year-round platform serving hundreds of Bergen County families annually.&nbsp;
Varsity Prep combines traditional camp experiences with original programming developed in-house, including sports curriculum, STEM activities, arts programming, leadership development, and hands-on enrichment designed around the same instructional principles Cottiers used in the classroom.&nbsp;
The organization&rsquo;s staffing model is built around local teachers, coaches, college students, and high school student leaders &mdash; creating a program deeply connected to the communities it serves.&nbsp;
Reinvesting in the Community&nbsp;
In 2026 alone, Varsity Prep USA will reinvest more than $160,000 into the New Milford community &mdash; through wages paid to local teachers, coaches, college students, and high school staff, and through a new formal partnership with New Milford Public Schools that directly supports district programs and facilities.&nbsp;
Expansion Across Bergen County&nbsp;
With Cottiers now leading the organization full-time, Varsity Prep USA is preparing to expand beyond its flagship New Milford location. Conversations are currently underway with multiple Bergen County school districts regarding partnerships for Summer 2027.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The model works because it&rsquo;s built by educators, run by educators, and rooted in the school communities it serves,&rdquo; said Cottiers. &ldquo;Districts receive a turn-key summer and enrichment program, employment opportunities for their teachers, coaches and students, and meaningful financial support for their facilities and programs. Families receive programming they can trust. It&rsquo;s a win-win across the board. That&rsquo;s the formula we&rsquo;re bringing to new communities.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Gratitude to New Milford&nbsp;
Cottiers, NMHS Alumni (Class of 2004), emphasized the role New Milford played in shaping both his career and the foundation of Varsity Prep USA.&nbsp;
&ldquo;Everything I know about working with kids, I learned from the teachers, administrators, coaches, and families of New Milford,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ll always be a New Milford guy.. The fact that this community has been Varsity Prep&rsquo;s home and launchpad for the last eight summers means everything to me.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Summer 2026 enrollment is currently open at Varsity Prep USA, with programming running June 22 through August 28.&nbsp;
About Varsity Prep USA&nbsp;
Founded in 2018 by educator and coach Ray Cottiers, Varsity Prep USA is a North Jersey-based youth enrichment organization operating in partnership with local school districts. Varsity Prep provides summer camps, sports clinics, after-school enrichment programs, experiential learning opportunities, and leadership development programming for children and teens through educator-led experiences designed to build confidence, creativity, and community.&nbsp;

Bergen County

New York City Metropolitan Area

New Milford

New Jersey

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NEW MILFORD, NJ — June 2, 2026 — Ray Cottiers, named 2025 New Milford District Teacher of the Year and 2025 Bergen County Wrestling Coach of the...

Award-Winning Educator and Coach Ray Cottiers Leaves Classroom to Lead Varsity Prep USA Full-Time 

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Join in a night of fun and fashion while raising funds for a worthy cause! On June 4th, Dress for Success is hosting Designer Pocketbook Bingo in Paramus to support its career readiness/development services to unemployed women - all provided at no-cost to them. DFSNNJ continues to expand services in Bergen County and well beyond. Grab some friends and click link to register or use QR code! <a href="https://onecau.se/_k975y1?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExZFZjU1JTcFhaREpNM0VFOXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4NC-MlMnz51nSAZoLdcDdMf0GUQZKoCUIqCW2x3ePmG2sxYELVYYUNQ8N2yg_aem_SDazSqqBePd7iW0_ImBUlA" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">https://onecau.se/_k975y1</a>

Local Event: Dress for Success Northern NJ Designer Pocketbook Bingo

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Come and See! St. Bartholomew's is offering a time of prayers for peace at our Labyrinth. We will share different ways to use the labyrinth for spiritual reflection. Music and refreshments will be available. This is a free event, and all are welcome.

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Local Event: New Jersey Choral Society presents "Reflections: Harmony and Hope"

New Jersey Choral Society presents...

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The annual Crafts in the Park Show will be held on Sunday, June 7, from 10 to 5 at Veterans Park, Broadway and 3rd
Ave in Westwood, NJ. Make sure you mark your calendar for this much awaited craft show. One hundred and twenty-five talented exhibitors from four states will be displaying a large variety of arts and crafts all set up on the grounds of this picturesque park. This promises to be a fun shopping day for all. The show is sponsored by Westwood Heritage Society and organized by P.J.’s Promotions.
This is the perfect opportunity to browse the booths filled with a wonderful selection of pottery, jewelry, garden décor, chain saw animals, wood flags, apparel, fiber, stained glass, bonsai, ceramics, charcuterie boards, and birdhouses. Also, outdoor wood decor, paintings, prints, photography, soaps, candles, fiber, tie dye, totes, children’s items, florals, turned wood bowls, resin art, and so much more. There is something for everyone at this fun shopping event. 
Delicious festival foods, Italian ice, homemade pretzels, pickles, kettle korn, and desserts will be available. Admission is free. The show is held rain or shine. For more information go <a href="https://www.pjspromotions.com" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">www.pjspromotions.com</a>
or call 201-410-5416.

Local Event: Crafts in the Park Show, Sun. June 7, 125 Exhibitors, Veterans Pk, Westwood, NJ

Crafts in the Park Show, Sun. June 7, 125...

The annual Crafts in the Park Show will be held on Sunday, June 7, from 10 to 5 at Veterans Park, Broadway and 3rd
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Crafts in the Park Show, Sun. June 7, 125 Exhibitors, Veterans Pk, Westwood, NJ

Insurcomm Restoration

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Burlington County

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Theta Grove Luxury Apartments

Theta Grove – Luxury 55+ Living in Vernon, New Jersey Welcome to Theta Grove, a beautifully designed 55+ rental community offering modern comfort, elegant living spaces, and a relaxed lifestyle in the scenic township of Vernon, New Jersey. Thoughtfully created for active adults seeking maintenance-free living, Theta Grove combines contemporary architecture with upscale finishes and peaceful surroundings. Each residence features spacious, open-concept layouts, modern kitchens, large windows that fill the apartments with natural light, and private balconies where residents can relax and enjoy the surrounding views. Every detail has been carefully considered to provide comfort, convenience, and a refined living experience. THETA GROVE Hello Neighbor, Designed for those ready to enjoy the next chapter of “No more outdoor maintenance." No more surprises. Just modern, spacious 55+ living with everything taken care of. ”We wanted to personally invite you to stop by for your personal Apartment Tours at Theta Grove. 🏡 What You’ll Experience • Guided tours of model residences • Full access to community amenities • Meet the Theta Grove team ✨ Designed for Modern Living • Spacious 1-bedroom &amp; 1-bedroom + den apartments • Quartz countertops &amp; stainless-steel appliances • In-unit washer &amp; dryer • Private balconies (select units) • Elevator-served building with upscale finishes 🌿 Community Amenities • Fitness center • Resident lounge &amp; game room • Outdoor BBQ &amp; gathering areas • Bocce court • Garage &amp; surface parking 🎯 Now Leasing • Starting at $2,350/month • Immediate move-ins available • Prime Vernon Town Center location 🎁 Special Leasing Offer ONE MONTH FREE on a 13-month lease Lease must start on or before 01/30/26

Sussex County

Sussex

Vernon

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Selling Bergen County's Most Beautiful Homes

Christina Gibbons Group | Christie's International Real Estate

Christina Gibbons is CEO and Broker of the #1 real estate team for single-family home sales at Christie’s International Real Estate in New Jersey. Since launching Christina Gibbons Group in 2019, she has redefined industry excellence, spearheading nearly $1 billion in career sales volume. In 2025 alone, Christina and her group generated $240 million in sales and were recognized by the Wall Street Journal as a top 100 large real estate team in the nation, and #5 in New Jersey. Her consistent performance has earned her a seat in the prestigious Christie's Master Circle and Luxury Presence Collective — elite, invite-only networks reserved for the top Real Estate specialists globally.

Christina Gibbons Group | Christie's...

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