A grandmother's past worthy of N.J.'s future
Gov. Corzine recognizes Millstone teen and family at Hall of Fame ceremony
BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer
New Jersey's younger generation has committed itself to paying homage to those citizens who have left an indelible mark during their lifetimes.

JEFF GRANIT staff Millstone's Jessica Cutler, 14, recently earned recognition from Gov. Jon Corzine for her winning essay that describes why her grandmother, Rita Palumbo, should be inducted into the newly founded New Jersey Hall of Fame.

In the hope of creating a source of learning and inspiration for all New Jersey children now and in the future, the state has founded a New Jersey Hall of Fame. The hall, which will induct its inaugural class on May 4, 2008, will honor New Jerseyans including Albert Einstein, Bruce Springsteen, Meryl Streep and others who have made invaluable contributions to society and the world beyond.

Statutorily authorized through bipartisan legislation passed unanimously in the Assembly and Senate and signed into law by then-Gov. Richard Codey in 2005, the Hall of Fame is a nonprofit museum overseen by a Board of Commissioners who expect the endeavor to feature significant role models who send a message to children that they can and should strive for excellence in any endeavor of their choosing.

Among those helping to bring New Jersey's past forward for the Hall of Fame project is Millstone's Jessica Cutler, 14, a freshman at Allentown High School. Last year she wrote a winning essay nominating her grandmother, Rita Palumbo, for induction into the hall.

As a student in the Millstone Township Middle School, Jessica and her creative writing classmates in teacher Arlene Agulnick's class entered a contest sponsored by the New Jersey Hall of Fame in conjunction with the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). The contest encouraged students to describe a New Jersey resident (either a celebrity or an ordinary person) who should be inducted into the newly founded Hall of Fame.

Jessica wrote an essay nominating her maternal grandmother and, as a result, became the Middle School Division winner of the statewide contest that included more than 5,000 entries.

At an Oct. 25 press conference at the Statehouse in Trenton, Gov. Jon Corzine congratulated and thanked Jessica for her efforts. During the conference, Joyce Powell, president of the NJEA, invited Jessica to the podium, where she was given the opportunity to read her essay for the more than 150 people in attendance. She received an ovation for her work.

Jessica's essay begins, "As her infectious laughter fills the room with cheer, I almost forget why she wears her camouflage hat and walks with a cane. Her six months of chemotherapy and a broken hip have taken away most of her strength, but her spirit remains stronger than ever."

She continues, "This doesn't surprise me, because my grandmother Rita Palumbo has faced so much tragedy yet always has a positive outlook towards life."

Jessica's essay describes the trials and tribulations her "Nanny Rita" faced throughout life. As a child, Palumbo had to take care of her older sister, who was born with spastic paralysis, and the rest of her family when her father died suddenly when she was just 17.

After Palumbo married and had three children, a fire ravaged her family's home, killing her husband, Carmine, her 8-year-old son, John, and her older sister, Marie.

Jessica wrote, "Many people given this tragic situation would've wished death upon themselves or fallen into a pit of depression. However, my nanny had faith in God and was able to slowly rebuild her life."

Palumbo, who broke her hip earlier this year, did get the opportunity to hear Jessica read the essay aloud at the State House and in front of another audience.

Louise San Nicola, the public information officer for both the Millstone Township and Upper Freehold Regional school districts, said, "The essay brought tears to my eyes when Jessica and her grandma were recognized at the Board of Education meeting in Millstone."

San Nicola continued, "The essay has taken on even more importance because Jessica's grandma has been battling cancer and has moved in with Jessica's family."

While in the hospital for treatment for her hip, Palumbo found out that she has two types of cancer. The Cutler family related last week that she had moved into their Millstone home but is currently back in the hospital due to complications as a result of the cancer. Jessica has been sprucing up her nanny's room and intends to sew curtains for it in anticipation of her grandmother's return home.

"For six months she had chemotherapy to treat the cancer, which made her weak and feeble," Jessica said. "And while all of this was going on, she lost her younger sister, Joanne, to leukemia."

Jessica said her grandmother has taught her a great deal, including the important life lessons that "Life is all about playing out a bad hand well," and "If you have a positive attitude, you can get through any adversities in life."

"This is how my nanny chooses to lead her life, and I feel she deserves to be recognized," Jessica said. "Even now at 81 years old, she touches people that she meets with attitude, style, kindness and generosity. People who know her are better because of it."

By nature, Jessica is very different from her grandmother, according to her parents, Cathy and Cary.

"She is shy and very modest, and she did not want anyone to make a big deal about her success," Cary Cutler said. "Needless to say, her mom and I are very proud of her and wanted to share the good news."

Jessica said, "I am very proud of my essay because I put a lot of thought into it and it has special meaning to me. My grandmother has never been recognized, and she has done a lot of great things."

Jessica's mother said that she had tried to get her mother recognition before, but could not put her accomplishments as eloquently into writing as Jessica did.

"I feel happy that she appreciates all that her grandmother has been through," Cathy Cutler said of her daughter.

The Cutler family was proud to see their "quiet" and "shy" daughter picked up by a Town Car and escorted to the Statehouse to be recognized for her essay achievement as part of the New Jersey Hall of Fame project.

Although the state has not yet decided on where the hall will be located, several possible sites have expressed interest in housing the museum. Further details about the hall will be announced at the May 2008 ceremony at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, which will celebrate the first inductees and their families.

The New Jersey Hall of Fame is one of a small but growing number of state halls of fame. The South Carolina and South Dakota halls of fame are two examples that have succeeded for more than 30 years. The South Dakota Hall of Fame recently raised millions to have a museum built in Chamberlain, S.D., and California recently announced the creation of its own hall of fame.

For more information about The New Jersey Hall of Fame, visit www.njhalloffame. com