Education

A Champion in Every Arena: Cedar Hill Prep's Vallabh Vijayaraj Makes National History

Somerset, NJ — May 2026 — On May 21, a sixth grader from Somerset quietly made history.Vallabh Vijayaraj, a student at Cedar Hill Preparatory School, was named National Champion at the US Geography Bee 2026 — the pinnacle of academic geography competition in the country. Days later, he returned to the stage to claim Third Place at the National Geography Bee on May 24, confirming what his school has known for years: this is a young scholar of exceptional depth, focus, and range.But Vallabh's...

Education

Cedar Hill Preparatory School Celebrates Outstanding Student-Athletes at Annual Athletic Banquet

SOMERSET, NJ — May 29, 2026 — Cedar Hill Preparatory School (CHP) honored its dedicated student-athletes and coaches last night at its Annual Athletic Banquet, capping off a remarkable year of competition, sportsmanship, and growth across the school's thriving sports programs.From the soccer pitch to the track, the volleyball court to the tennis courts, CHP student-athletes demonstrated the same qualities in competition that define a Cedar Hill education: perseverance, teamwork, and an...

Education

Cedar Hill Preparatory School Student Competes at 98th Scripps National Spelling Bee

There's a moment every speller knows — standing at the microphone, the word hanging in the air, the silence of a room waiting. For Yajur Subramaniam, that moment came on one of the biggest stages in academic competition.The seventh grader at Cedar Hill Preparatory School in Somerset recently competed in the 98th Scripps National Spelling Bee, held at the iconic DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Yajur earned his spot among hundreds of the nation's most accomplished young spellers...

Health + Wellness

Leading with Purpose

In a field that often balances science, compassion, and real-world complexity, Samantha R. Smalley is part of a new generation of clinicians pushing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) toward a more ethical, individualized, and child-centered future.Now serving as Chief Clinical Officer at Success on the Spectrum in Bridgewater, Smalley’s work is rooted in a simple but powerful philosophy: everything she does is for the kids.A Foundation Built on ExcellenceSmalley’s path began at Rutgers Graduate...

Entertainment

The Makeshift Project

From Basement Banter to a Six-Million-Strong Brand Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Michael Lago Creative Company, The Makeshift Project Every empire has an origin story. For Brian Conz and Zach Misischia, it began in a suburban basement in New Jersey—childhood desk, old gaming setup, random memorabilia on the walls. Not a sleek studio. Not a polished launch strategy. Just two best friends and a microphone. Before the 6 million followers. Before the sponsorship deals. Before the...

Entertainment

More Than the Prank

A look at James “Murr” Murray’s quieter strengths—patience, friendship and the work of building something that lasts. Article by Tiffany Slowinski | Photography by Brandon Herman, Joe Papeo, Jack Morgan, Olga Kolleeny, TBS When I sat down with James “Murr” Murray, one of the stars and creators of Impractical Jokers, I asked him whether he sleeps with one eye open. He laughed and told me that, after all these years, he was skeptical of almost everything. In fact, before agreeing to our...

Food + Beverage

Busiate al Pesto alla Trapanese

A Sicilian Classic—Fresh, Emulsified, and Rooted in Tradition Article by Brooke Boyer Chef Bill’s love of cooking began early—in his father’s pizzeria in Garfield, where he started working at 11 and learned the values of hospitality, hard work and tradition. Long before he launched Piatto Di Pasta, the kitchen was already home. Over the years, Chef Bill worked across the food industry, from line cook to restaurant management, while studying hotel and restaurant management at Bergen Community...

Entertainment

Step Into a Nostalgic Pop Culture Past

At YESTERcades Somerville Article by Richard Chachowski | Photography by YESTERcades of Somerville In an era when most video games are played at home, arcades can feel like a relic from another time. But places like YESTERcades in Somerville make a strong case for why the experience still matters—especially for dads who grew up on joystick battles, pinball runs and the kind of friendly competition that does not happen through a headset. For a Father’s Day outing, that nostalgia is part of the...

Entertainment

Jersey Roots. Global Reach.

Jordan Gershowitz on Crafting Iconic Entertainment for a New Generation Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Jordan Gershowitz Before he was writing for one of the most iconic live entertainment brands in the world, Jordan Gershowitz was a kid in South Jersey staging a one-act play about the trial of Benedict Arnold. Born in New Brunswick and raised in Westampton, Gershowitz credits New Jersey with shaping his creativity. In middle school, he wrote and directed his first production...

Health + Wellness

Hands-On Healing, Built on Trust

Julio Solano brings a personalized approach to massage therapy in Hillsborough Article by Carly Mac Manus | Photography by Raquel Brennan For Julio Solano, wellness has never been about quick fixes. It is about time, attention and understanding the body as a whole. That philosophy guided Julio from an early interest in holistic therapy to building a massage practice rooted in care, consistency, and connection. His introduction to wellness began at home. Growing up, sports injuries were not...