On Friday, April 25th, 2014, West Belmar Elementary School held it’s annual Arbor Day Ceremony. In attendance were Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders’ Deputy Director Gary J. Rich, Sr., John P. Curley, and Serena DiMaso. Several members of The Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission were also present at the ceremony, along with former Wall Township Mayor, John W. Tobia. West Belmar Elementary School was one of only three Monmouth County Elementary Schools chosen to receive the prestigious Tree City USA Award.
The ceremony began with West Belmar’s Principal, Anthony Abeal, introducing members of the Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders to the audience. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited. After, students joined together to proudly sing “Grand Ole Flag.” The Arbor Day Proclamation was then bestowed upon the school, followed by students Gavin Rhoades and Sophia Oxley reading the poem “Plant a Tree for Me” to those in attendance.
Next, the Kindergarten Bear Cubs happily shared their opinions on what they believed trees were good for, followed by the 1st Grade Bear Cubs singing “Four Seasons. ” The 2nd graders were also invited to the stage to read “Nature’s Recipe” followed by the 3rd Grade Bear Cubs performing an Arbor Day Rap and the 4th grade class reading Haiku poetry.
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The event was highlighted with the planting of a new tree in the schoolyard. Several West Belmar students were selected to join Freeholders’ Gary J. Rich, Sr., John P. Curley, and Serena DiMaso under the tree. Each person took a turn shoveling dirt onto the trees base and roots. The students concluded the Arbor Day Ceremony performing the musical number, “Trees for America.” Each child received a Douglas Fir seedling, from the Shade Tree Commission, to take home and plant.
