PRESS RELEASE
345 SECOND AVENUE
LONG BRANCH, NJ 07740.
732-222-6464  732-870-1617
JOHN VILLAPIANO, PRINCIPAL
404 BROADWAY
LONG BRANCH, NJ 07740
732-229-4398
CONTACT: Sharon Villapiano, Director of Marketing/Public Relations, 732-996-7972
Seashore Journalism Teacher Wins JSPRAA AWARDS For Excellence In Writing
LONG BRANCH, October 16 –This has been a month of awards for Seashore Day Camp and School. Following local,
national and international recognition, the landmark Long Branch business received four awards from the Jersey Shore
Public Relations and Advertising Assocation October 15.
Nominated for four JASPERS, the day camp, marking its 90th anniversary, and private school, celebrating 42 years
of academic excellence, took both first and second place in excellence in writing and promotional categories. The
awards were announced at the 40th Annual JASPER Awards Dinner at the Hilton Double Tree Hotel in Tinton Falls.
The event, which brought together design, writing, marketing, public relations and multimedia disciplines, was held to
recognize NJ-based communications professionals for excellence in their fields. Awards were judged by a panel of
industry experts and entries had to meet a minimum score of excellence to be considered.
Sharon Villapiano, Long Branch, who doubles as Seashore’s journalism teacher and Director of Marketing and
Public Relations, was presented with a gold award for a press release entitled “Seashore School’s Chop Challenge
Elective Culminates With Mystery Basket Competition At Tuzzio’s.” Villapiano also won gold for Direct Mail, along
with silver for Excellence In Writing Newsletters and Trade Show Display.
“We are very proud of our marketing effort. It is an honor to be recognized,” Seashore Director/Principal John
Villapiano said, explaining that when Sharon started winning Excellence in Writing Awards years ago, she was asked to
share her skill with students and teach them to write a school newspaper.
“In addition to winning 19 JASPERS for her work, she has taught our middle school students to write so well,
Seashore Student Views just won its seventh consecutive award … a gold medal from judges at Columbia University,”
Villapiano said. “Critiqued against journalists through 12th grade, the student newspaper missed a perfect verbal score
by only six points and qualified for All-Columbian Honors.
“Having an award-winning writer, who is also a certified English teacher, help students develop the skills to create
an award-winning publication is a great addition to our strong core Middle School faculty,” he said.
The Seashore School, which opened in 1974, is designed for families who want a smaller class size and more
progressive curriculum than their town offers, at an affordable tuition. From preschool-eighth grade, the curriculum
includes advanced foreign language, computers, science and swim lessons, along with training in dance, music, drama
and art. The approach to education is so successful that students win academic competitions, score in the top percentile
in standard exams, are recognized nationally for achievement and typically gain acceptance into the high schools of
their choice. For more information, please call 732-222-6464 or visit www.seashorecampandschool.com
CAPTION: JSPRAA Executive Director Greg Weber presented Sharon Villapiano, Director of Marketing and Public
Relations and a journalism teacher at Seashore Day Camp and School, with four gold and silver JASPERS at the 40th
Annual JASPER Awards Dinner October 15. Villapiano was among communications professionals honored for
excellence in her field.
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