12 / matters magazine / fall 2018 ple’s priority lists, but it’s so important. Learning doesn’t stop at 3 o’clock.” Thankfully, leaders in both Maple- wood and South Orange support the organization and have generously allo- cated funds for it every year. However, fundraising remains a key objective. South Orange Village President Sheena Collum helped spearhead the first-ever South Orange Invitational golf outing last year, raising $25,000 for the nonprofit organization, which she calls “a wonderful cause.” According to Malloy, what makes it so wonderful is that it allows kids to mingle in a way that doesn’t ordinarily happen. “If you have an interest in music and you want to take a drumming class at South Orange [Middle School], you sign up for it because it’s offered, and you take it with a kid you would never have had lunch with,” she says. “I think that’s why it’s lasted so long. There’s value for everyone: value for the school, value for the community, value for the teacher, value for the student and the parent. It’s building a sense of community.” Teitelman, whose kids have also gone through the South Orange-Maplewood School District system and graduated from Columbia High School, credits Malloy with the organization’s success, describing her as being able to juggle running the organization while also having an excellent rapport with the teachers in the schools and a good an- tenna for what will and won’t work. “Lastyear,weputinanorganicchem- istry club. Who would think that would be popular? It was oversubscribed! And Shakespeare? Who would think middle school students would be interested in that? Again, oversubscribed.” As YouthNet enters its second de- cade of programming, it continues to change with the times. A police mentor- ing pilot program developed by Maple- wood Deputy Mayor Frank McGehee was offered last year, as well as a LGBT club that ran Pride Month events. “YouthNet has seen changes in superintendents, changes in school principals, changes in township lead- ers, and we’ve survived it all,” Malloy says. “We are committed to working collaboratively to remain relevant to the needs of our towns’ youth.” For more information or to donate, visit somayouthnet.org. Malia Rulon Herman will have a mid- dle schooler in a few short years and can’t wait to see what YouthNet has in store for the class of 2028. Middle and high school students cel- ebrate Pride Month on June 6, at a t-shirt tie-dying event in the MMS courtyard, sponsored by YouthNet. A student draws a logo during a meeting of the Youth Advisory Board. Students partici- pating in the YAB have raised funds for causes important to them, such as autism and hurricane relief. Bee & Thistle Maplewood’s First and Last Choice for Gifts Established 1973 Hostess • Housewarming Home Décor • Gift Certificates FREE GIFT WRAP Open Tues. – Sat. 10 am – 5:30 pm or by appointment Eileen and John Dilley 89 Baker Street, Maplewood, NJ 973-763-3166 www.beeandthistlegifts.com