‘Eyesore’ Beautified By Toms River Students, Art Teachers

TOMS RIVER, NJ - A storage container on Third Avenue has recently undergone a makeover, thanks to help from Toms River students.

In partnership with the local Department of Public Works, High School East students worked to beautify the “eyesore,” complete with a “Keep the Beach Clean” theme with a painted tagline that reads “Leave Nothing but Footprints … Keep Ortley Beach Clean.”

Helmed by High School East art teacher Katie Koenigstein, the project saw 20 high school students utilize their art skills to transform the container from drab to glam. Even school colleagues Bill Dishon, Erin Calicchio, Kristen DeVuyst and Jennifer Fazzini got in on the fun.

“Few things leave us as satisfied as seeing our students using their creativity, talents, and imagination to make a difference in the community,” said Assistant Superintendent Patrick Thomas, who visited the site this week to check on students’ progress. “They’ve turned an eyesore into a beach landmark, and I couldn’t be more proud.”

This isn’t the first time Toms River students have made a positive change at the Ortley Beach coast: with funding from the township for materials, students built nine lifeguard stands in the area last summer.