SJ Sports: Inside Marlton Sports

Chartwell Does Well For Cherokee's Project Graduation
Cherokee's Project Graduation celebration will have a new spin on it this year. Chartwell, which has hosted the festivities for the past three years, has committed to the cause once again. This time on a higher level. They have stepped forward to become the event's named corporate sponsor.

In the past, Chartwell CEO Jim Johnston has provided the Chartwell facility, lifeguards, fireworks display and scores of other incidentals. This year, a $3,000 donation was made in addition to the above. The Johnston Insurance Group of Marlton will contribute another $5,000, in exchange for becoming the project's first corporate sponsor. The Project Graduation Committee has a fund-raising goal of $25,000.

"We are so grateful for all Jim Johnston has done in the past," said fund-raising chairman Lou Coppola. "To step up to become a corporate sponsor, well, it's hard to express our appreciation."

Chartwell Cherokee High School Project Graduation 2002 was held at the swim club off Tuckerton Road.

Chartwell's Project Graduation is an alcohol-free and drug-free party exclusively for Cherokee Class of 2002 graduates organized by a volunteer committee of parents, and school and town officials. It is an opportunity to swim, dance, eat, play games and socialize for one last time together. The event reassures parents that their child is celebrating in a safe and fun environment. This year, parents will even be able to watch live video feeds on the Chartwell web site.

The project's fund-raising committee has developed some initiatives to meet its $25,000 goal. Among them are, additional level sponsorships that are still available; Genuardi's receipts are being collected in the school cafeteria and will receive 1% reimbursement.

Contributions can be sent to: Project Graduation c/o Cherokee High School North, 120 Tomlinson Mill Road, Marlton, NJ 08053. All donations go directly into the event. To volunteer, call 797-2962 or 596-6976. Or for more information go to: http://www.sjsports club.com/Magazine/Towns/Marlton/ projgrad.html.

Taking Charge
Janel Schillig had just completed her last season at Villanova when she was signed to play for the Carolina Courage of the Women's United Soccer Association. But the former Cherokee goalie's dream appeared to be over when she was released at the end of the season. Now, Schillig is getting another chance, closer to home. She was signed by the Philadelphia Charge last month to serve as the team's backup goaltender. "I decided that playing professionally was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up," said Schillig, who will literally have a home field advantage. The Charge play their home games at Villanova Stadium. Schillig, who graduated from Cherokee in 1998, will look to finish her college work at Villanova in the fall. The biology major will also help coach the Wildcats next season as she completes her studies.

Soft Hits
The Cherokee Chiefs softball team entered the season as the defending Group 4 state champions and as the top-ranked team in South Jersey. The Chiefs lost only one starter from last year's team. They have one of the top pitching tandems in the area in the form of Danielle Cohen and Mollie Ahern. They finished with a combined record of 28-3 last season and both are off to a fast start this spring. The Chiefs looks more than ready to handle the pressure this spring. Another state championship is certainly within their reach.

Keeping Track
The Cherokee boys' track team took first in four different events at the Burlington County Hall of Fame Relays. The foursome of Jason Chao, Blake Letchford, Sean Mayers and Alex Whirledge captured the 4x200 and 4x400 relays. Mayers and Chao picked up another first-place finish in the long jump as Mayers led the way with a leap of 21-5-1/2. Cherokee added a first place finish in the javelin thanks to Scott Evans and Matt Palesso.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Ed Benkin