Latest news with #HSS
CBS News
17 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Minnesota pauses payments to 50 housing stability providers amid fraud investigation
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Monday he paused payments to dozens of the state's housing stabilization providers as federal agents investigate a "massive" fraud scheme connected to the program. Under a new Minnesota law that went into effect earlier this month, state agencies have the authority to withhold funding from organizations for up to 60 days if there is significant evidence to suggest they have committed fraud. A search warrant filed with the U.S. District Court for Minnesota details a fraud investigation tied to the Housing Stabilization Services, a newer Minnesota Medical Assistance benefit, which is set up to help find and maintain homes for people with disabilities and the elderly. What was estimated in 2020 to cost taxpayers $2.5 million a year had topped $100 million. The FBI called the housing program "extremely vulnerable to fraud." Walz told reporters Monday he used the "tools" approved by the Minnesota Legislature to stop payments to "most of the people involved in this program." He later said that 50 of the state's largest housing stability providers "will not be paid." He expects some of them will sue to receive their payments. Others, he said, will have to be patient for their funds to come through. "There is going to be legitimate organizations and legitimate need for people in good programs that are gonna just have to be a little bit slower and a little more barriers in place. Because it's proven right now the folks can find the loopholes," he said. The Minnesota Department of Human Services confirmed they stopped payments to 43 providers on Monday. Payments to seven others had been paused prior to that week as a result of a "billing data analysis" and "investigations conducted by the DHS's Office of Inspector General." "In March, DHS initiated a comprehensive data analytics project, reviewing HSS provider data, including billing records, in new ways. As a result, we have stopped payments and provided information to our law enforcement partners," said temporary DHS Commissioner Shireen Gandhi in a statement to WCCO. "Any HSS providers scheming to steal from our public programs are being stopped from receiving further public payment and with the help of law enforcement partners, they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law." Starting in August, housing stabilization providers will be subject to additional documentation requirements, the DHS said in a statement. The new Minnesota law to allow agencies to withhold funds was passed in the wake of the $250 million Feeding Our Future scandal, which prosecutors have called the largest pandemic fraud case in the country. Autism support centers are also subject to a separate fraud investigation. The ringleader of the food fraud scheme, Aimee Bock, was convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit federal programs bribery for taking millions of dollars meant to feed hungry children. Seventy people are charged in the scheme, of whom 48 have been convicted. "These people are being arrested and they're going to prison," Walz added on Monday. "And right now the people involved in this, you will be going to prison. The U.S. attorney is on it."Caroline Cummings contributed to this report.
Business Wire
a day ago
- Health
- Business Wire
HSS Ranked No. 1 in Orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report for 16th Consecutive Year, No. 3 in Rheumatology
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for orthopedics for a record-breaking 16th consecutive year and No. 3 in the nation for rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report 2025-2026 Best Hospitals: Specialty Rankings©.* U.S. News evaluated nearly 4,500 hospitals in 15 specialties. Hospital performance was assessed based on various measures, including patient outcomes, level of nursing care, patient-reported experience, and available technology such as computer-assisted orthopedic surgery. The methodology factored in data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the American Hospital Association, professional organizations, and medical specialists. 'We are once again honored to be recognized as a leader in our specialties of orthopedics and rheumatology,' said HSS President and CEO Bryan T. Kelly, MD, MBA. 'This reflects the skill and dedication of every member of the HSS team, who work together to help people get back to what they need and love to do better than any other place in the world.' 'The U.S. News rankings underscore HSS's continued leadership and commitment to musculoskeletal health, reflecting 162 years of clinical excellence, innovation, and patient-centered care,' said Douglas E. Padgett, MD, surgeon-in-chief and medical director of HSS. 'Our consistent recognition as a top hospital highlights our steadfast dedication to maintaining the highest standards of evidence-based care.' Patients come to HSS from all 50 states and more than 100 countries, often for complex medical conditions or challenging surgeries requiring highly specialized care. 'When faced with a challenging rheumatologic disease, every patient wants a rheumatologist they can trust,' said S. Louis Bridges, Jr., MD, PhD, physician-in-chief and chief of the Division of Rheumatology at HSS. 'The high rating of HSS Rheumatology demonstrates clinical excellence made possible by our strong dedication to best practices and personalized care, and by our commitment to advancing musculoskeletal medicine through research, education, and innovation.' As the world's leading academic medical center specializing in musculoskeletal health, HSS maintains among the lowest hospital readmission rates for orthopedics in the nation, and among the lowest rates for infection and complications. HSS has been named No. 1 in the world for orthopedics by Newsweek each year since the 'World's Best Specialized Hospitals' survey was introduced in 2020. In 2024, HSS clinicians and surgeons provided specialized care to more than 248,917 patients with orthopedic or rheumatologic conditions, such as pain or injury to the back, neck, or joints; osteoarthritis; rheumatoid arthritis; lupus; scleroderma; and psoriatic arthritis. HSS performed more than 43,000 orthopedic surgical procedures in 2024. HSS is the official hospital of and provides team physicians to more than 25 high-performing sports teams and leagues, including the New York Giants, New York Knicks, New York Liberty, Brooklyn Nets, New York Mets, New York Red Bulls, TCS New York City Marathon, National Basketball Players Association, Major League Pickleball, US Youth Soccer, and UFC. It is designated a Medical Center of Excellence by Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA). * Copyright © 2025 U.S. News & World Report, L.P. Data reprinted with permission from U.S. News. About HSS HSS is the world's leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the 16th consecutive year), No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2025-2026), and the best pediatric orthopedic hospital in NY, NJ and CT by U.S. News & World Report 'Best Children's Hospitals' list (2024-2025). In a survey of medical professionals in more than 20 countries by Newsweek, HSS is ranked world #1 in orthopedics for a fifth consecutive year (2025). Founded in 1863, the Hospital has the lowest readmission rates in the nation for orthopedics, and among the lowest infection and complication rates. HSS was the first in New York State to receive Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center five consecutive times. An affiliate of Weill Cornell Medical College, HSS has a main campus in New York City and facilities in New Jersey, Connecticut and in the Long Island and Westchester County regions of New York State, as well as in Florida. In addition to patient care, HSS leads the field in research, innovation and education. The HSS Research Institute comprises 20 laboratories and 300 staff members focused on leading the advancement of musculoskeletal health through prevention of degeneration, tissue repair and tissue regeneration. In addition, more than 200 HSS clinical investigators are working to improve patient outcomes through better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat orthopedic, rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. The HSS Innovation Institute works to realize the potential of new drugs, therapeutics and devices. The HSS Education Institute is a trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal knowledge and research for physicians, nurses, allied health professionals, academic trainees, and consumers in more than 165 countries. The institution is collaborating with medical centers and other organizations to advance the quality and value of musculoskeletal care and to make world-class HSS care more widely accessible nationally and internationally.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Spine Surgeon: These Uncommon Exercises Will Fix Neck and Upper-Back Pain for Men Over 40
Spine Surgeon: These Uncommon Exercises Will Fix Neck and Upper-Back Pain for Men Over 40 originally appeared on Men's Fitness. Getting older means more wisdom, along with a whole lot more neck and upper-back pain. Nicholas Clark, M.D., an orthopedic spine surgeon for HSS at NCH, says that while many guys prioritize building their chest, arms, or legs, they often ignore the muscles in the neck and upper back—leaving them prone to pain and limited movement. "The neck and trapezius muscles are your body's unsung heroes, stabilizing your head and shoulders during every lift, run or even desk session. Neglecting them can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility and even spinal issues down the line," Clark tells Men's Fitness. In his work as a spine surgeon, he's treated countless men in their 40s and 50s dealing with chronic neck and trap pain—issues that could often be prevented or improved with the right exercises. Below, Clark shares four underrated exercises—ones you've probably never done—that target the neck and traps to help reduce pain, improve posture, and keep you strong and mobile well into middle and Trapezius Exercises for Pain Relief Directions "Start with two to three sessions per week, and pair them with your existing routine. Over time, you'll notice less stiffness, better posture and a stronger, more balanced upper body," Clark says. Cervical Retraction with Resistance Band Sets: 3 Reps: 12-15 How to do it: Anchor a light resistance band to a sturdy object at chest height. Hold the band with both hands, standing about 2 feet away, and keep your arms relaxed. Gently tuck your chin toward your neck (think of making a double chin) while pulling the band slightly toward your face, keeping your head level. Hold for 3 seconds, then release. Tip: Focus on keeping your shoulders relaxed to avoid tensing the traps. If you feel strain, use a lighter band or no band at all until you master the movement. By 40, many men develop forward flex head posture from the impacts of daily life—like prolonged sitting or smartphone use. In turn, this strains the cervical spine and trapezius. "This exercise strengthens the deep neck flexors and posterior neck muscles, counteracting that slouch while relieving tension in the upper traps," Clark says. Scapular Wall Slides Sets: 2-3 Reps: 10-12 How to do it: Stand with your back against a wall, feet about 6 inches away. Press your lower back, upper back, and head lightly against the wall. Bend your elbows to 90 degrees, with your forearms and hands touching the wall (like a 'W' shape). Slowly slide your arms upward to form a 'Y,' keeping your elbows, forearms, and hands in contact with the wall. Lower back to the starting position. Tip: If your arms don't reach the 'Y' position without losing wall contact, don't force it. Work within your range and progress as mobility improves. "Tight traps often stem from poor scapular mobility, which is common in men who lift weights or sit for long periods. This exercise improves scapular movement and strengthens the lower trapezius, reducing upper trap dominance and neck strain," he says. Prone Trapezius Raise Sets: 3 Reps: 12-15 How to do it: Lie facedown on a bench or the floor with a light dumbbell (2–5 pounds) in each hand. Let your arms hang straight down, palms facing each other. Keeping your arms straight, lift them out to the sides to form a 'T,' squeezing your shoulder blades together. Your thumbs should point upward at the top of the movement. Lower slowly. Tip: If you feel your upper traps taking over, reduce the weight or do the exercise without weights. Focus on initiating the movement from your mid-back. "The middle and lower trapezius muscles are critical for stabilizing the shoulder blades and supporting the neck, but they're often neglected in favor of upper trap-focused exercises like shrugs. This move isolates the mid and lower traps, reducing neck stiffness and improving posture," Clark explains. Isometric Neck Bridge Sets: 2 Reps: 10-12 How to do it: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Place a folded towel (about 2 inches thick) under your head for slight elevation. Gently press the back of your head into the towel, engaging your neck muscles without lifting your head. Hold for 5 to 10 seconds, then relax. Tip: To target the traps more, slightly shrug your shoulders toward your ears during the hold, but keep the movement subtle to avoid strain. "Unlike traditional neck bridges used by wrestlers, this gentler isometric version builds neck stability without excessive strain, making it ideal for men over 40. It strengthens the cervical muscles and traps, improving resilience against daily stressors like heavy lifting or poor posture," he Surgeon: These Uncommon Exercises Will Fix Neck and Upper-Back Pain for Men Over 40 first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jul 20, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jul 20, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
See all winners from the 2025 North Jersey High School Sports Awards, presented by HSS
The 2025 North Jersey High School Sports Awards, Presented by HSS and powered by The Record and were held June 27 at Passaic County Technical Institute. More than 300 area athletes were honored, including the Players of the Year in 33 sports and the area's overall winners for Boys Athlete of the Years, Girls Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Boys Team of the Year, Girls Team of the Year, two Charlie McGill Scholarship awards, Courage Award, Lifetime Achievement Award and USA TODAY Studio IX Trailblazer Award. Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman CJ Hanson, a former DePaul Catholic football standout, was the guest speaker. Here's a list of all the award winners: Boys Athlete of the Year, Presented by HSS -- Benjamin Shue, Bergen Catholic Benji Shue is best known as the greatest thrower in North Jersey history, holding both the Bergen County shot put and discus records. But the Bergen Catholic senior is much more than just a track athlete. He started the last two seasons at offensive guard for the Crusaders who have won four straight Non-Public A championships in football and has been a medalist in the last three straight wrestling championships at 285 pounds. Despite a painful injury to his pectoral muscle that prevented him from throwing the shot, he retained his state discus title. He'll be throwing at the University of Texas. Girls Athlete of the Year, Presented by HSS -- Sarah Rodrigues, Wayne Valley Sarah Rodrigues is one of the most decorated girls swimmers in North Jersey history after becoming its first two-time state champion in 16 years. She took home gold in the backstroke in each of the last two years and set the New Jersey record in that event. With elite speed across the board, Rodrigues qualified for the Olympic Trials last summer and racked up nine Passaic County titles. USA TODAY Studio IX Trailblazer Award -- Sue Liddy, Holy Angels Fresh out of Upper Iowa University in 1974, Sue Liddy came home to her family in Closter and got a job teaching and coaching at nearby Holy Angels in Demarest. She stayed at the all-girls school for five decades. Liddy coached varsity softball, JV tennis and even served as athletic director, but her first love was basketball. She spent 51 seasons leading the Angels on the court, winning 822 games, five Bergen County championships and a state-sectional title. Factor in her 334 victories in 38 softball seasons, and her varsity ledger shows more than 1,100 wins. Coach of the Year -- Rob Violante, Bergenfield Former Bergenfield football coach Rob Violante is the North Jersey Coach of the Year. Violante, a legendary player at Somers High School in New York, took over the Bears program in 2011. He guided an undermanned program to the playoffs five times and won 61 games in his tenure. He also served as spring track coach. He was Coach V in and around Bergenfield. He was respected by his rivals, adored by his players and appreciated by all in the North Jersey community. Violante was tragically killed in a car accident on May 14 at age 45, leaving a legacy of kindness, creativity and compassion. He will be sorely missed. Courage Award -- Johnny Jackson, Ridgewood Jackson delivered one of the most inspirational seasons in North Jersey boys basketball history. He was diagnosed with cancer, Stage 4B Hodgkin's lymphoma, and everyone thought his senior season was finished. He endured a dozen chemotherapy sessions, played his entire season in pain. He led Ridgewood to a school-record 26 wins and a sectional title. And he surpassed 2,000 career points. Charlie McGill Scholarship -- Solaris Paul, Kennedy Paul proved that determination can take you all the way to the top. The Paterson native came to high school without ever having wrestled before and leaves as the first state champion from a Paterson school in over 50 years. Charlie McGill Scholarship -- Marco De Croce, Demarest Projected to be a superstar at the high school level, DeCroce lost his father tragically before the start of his prep career, and heading into junior year, broke his foot in a football scrimmage. DeCroce overcame this adversity to become a leader for the Norsemen's basketball program and earned a shot at playing football at Fordham. Lifetime Achievement Award -- Bill Vacca, Passaic Tech Bill Vacca's career in high school athletics spans more than five decades. The current secretary and treasurer of the Passaic County Coaches Association was the athletic director at Don Bosco Tech in Paterson before that school closed and is now Director of Facilities at Passaic Tech. He is a past President of the DAANJ, the oldest active organization of high school athletic directors in the country. He's served on number athletic committees at the conference, county and state level. Vacca is involved with the Paterson Old Timers, an organization dedicated to keeping memories alive for local sports legends and supporting disadvantaged youth. He is involved in the Do Good Student Support Group that raises scholarship for high school seniors. He's happily married to his wife, Shawn, and is a resident of Totowa. Boys Team of the Year -- St. Joseph golf St. Joseph enjoyed the greatest season in New Jersey high school golf history. The Green Knights not only won every nine-hole match, they won all nine 18-hole tournaments, including the all-groups Tournament of Champions. Brothers Rory and Michael Asselta and the team's lone senior, Liam Moloney, were the stars. But a record seven Green Knights qualified for the Bergen County Individual Championship, including sophomores CJ Antifonario and John Fenton, freshman Justin Peck and junior Darren Coyle. This could be the beginning of a dynasty. Girls Team of the Year -- Old Tappan volleyball Only a handful of programs in North Jersey have completed an undefeated season in girls volleyball, and Old Tappan now can boast two. The Golden Knights finished 2024 with a record of 25-0, winning the Bergen County and Group 2 state championships. They placed two players on the All-North Jersey first team – setter Addison Gioffre and outside hitter Samantha Kranzler – and finished No. 1 in the North Jersey Top 20. The state championship was their 14th all-time. Boys basketball -- Declan Wucherpfennig, Bergen Catholic Declan was the centerpiece of Bergen Catholic's drive to league, county, sectional and state titles. At 6-foot-7, he can score from anywhere on the court. He averaged 19.1 points and 11 rebounds and scored 1,186 career points. He'll continue his career at Fairfield. Girls basketball -- Allie Shenloogian, Park Ridge This is the first repeat Girls Basketball Player of the Year pick since Michelle Sidor from Saddle River Day in 2019. Shenloogian led North Jersey in scoring… again. She led the Owls back to the sectional final… again. And she is now No. 5 on the all-time Bergen County scoring list for girls basketball with 2,337 career points. Boys bowling -- Joey Parrilli, Hackensack Parrilli carried the highest average in North Jersey at 215. Individually, he finished 13th in the Bergen County tournament, but his impact on team success was evident. The two-hander led Hackensack to the Big North Freedom Division title, and his clutch 290 in the sectional tournament lifted the Comets into the semifinals. Parrilli was also one of three bowlers to earn Athlete of the Week this school year. Girls bowling -- Samantha Seneres, Bergen Tech Serenes is a senior from Little Ferry who led North Jersey with a 203 average. She won the Bergen County individual tournament. And for good measure, she had North Jersey's best finish at the state individual finals, advancing to the second round and placing 10th. You'll probably still see her around Bowler City in Hackensack next winter, as she has committed to bowl for two-time national champ FDU. Hockey -- William LoSauro, Ridgewood LoSauro began the season as New Jersey's top freshman prospect and exceeded expectations. He had 31 goals and 31 assists for the Maroons as the program reached the state final for the first time in school history. LoSauro had nine multi-goal games, including scoring twice to help erase a 3-0 deficit to Ramapo in the final five minutes of regulation in the North, Public quarterfinals. He capped that performance with the game-winning goal three minutes into overtime. Boys indoor track -- Owen Keating, Pompton Lakes Keating was undefeated against New Jersey competition and became the greatest pole vaulter in North Jersey history. The senior, bound for Binghamton University, won the state and Eastern States titles and was a Nike All-American. He cleared a Passaic and North Jersey record of 16 feet six inches, and cleared at least 16 feet four times. No other North Jersey pole vaulter has ever cleared less than 15-9 indoors. Girls indoor track -- Jenna Monaco, Dumont Monaco had a season for the ages. Only one other North Jersey athlete, boy or girl, had ever won three group titles in the same year before Monaco won the Group 1 55 hurdles, 55 dash and pole vault this winter. The junior had never won a state group championship in any sport before Dumont took the girls group 1 title this winter. And Monaco took second in the State Meet of Champs pole vault and medaled in the 55 hurdles as well. Boys swimming -- Dimitri Melnikov, Bergen Catholic Melnikov went out on top, leading his team to the Bergen County title by winning four events. He earned a pair of state medals and set the school record in the individual medley. Girls swimming -- Sarah Rodrigues, Wayne Valley Rodrigues capped a legendary career by winning her second state title in the backstroke and finishing with six Passaic County records. The Wayne Valley senior is committed to swim at Texas. Boys wrestling -- Ryan Burton, St. Joseph Burton took home his second state title as a senior and became the all-time wins leader at St. Joseph. The Virginia Tech commit was also a big reason why the Green Knights finished as the No. 1 team in the state. Girls wrestling -- Olivia Georges, DePaul Georges locked up her second state title by pinning through the region and state tournament at 145 pounds. The DePaul junior is ranked seventh in the country at her weight. Baseball -- Nick Becker, Don Bosco Becker was the heart and soul, or more precisely the glove and bat, in the center of Don Bosco's sweep to league, county, sectional and state titles. The smooth-fielding senior shortstop batted .394 with 25 runs and 27 RBIs. He had two huge homers in the state tournament, including a two-run homer in an 11-inning, 5-4 win over Christian Brothers Academy in the Non-Public A state final. He's committed to Virginia. Boys field -- Benjamin Shue, Bergen Catholic The senior leaves as the all-time recordholder in North Jersey in both the shot put and discus and has 29 of the top 30 performances ever recorded in the discus among North Jersey throwers. He's a six-time group champion with three wins each in the shot and discus and the first North Jersey repeat winner in the discus despite throwing the last month with a partially torn pectoral muscle. Girls field -- Caroline Ognibene, Old Tappan It's hard enough to be a state medalist in any event, not to mention two totally different disciplines, the high jump and the pole vault. And especially when they're often held at the same time the length of a football field apart. Ognibene, just a sophomore, became just the second girl in New Jersey to medal in both events at the State Meet of Champions this year to cap a remarkable year in the field. Boys golf -- Rory Asselta, St. Joseph Asselta produced the greatest season in New Jersey high school golf history – and he's only a freshman. He won a staggering seven of nine 18-hole tournaments while leading St. Joseph to team titles in all nine. He captured the all-groups Tournament of Champions with a record 8-under-par 64. He won the season-ending Bergen County Individual Championship by 10 shots with a record 12-under 131. Girls golf -- Inha Jun, Holy Angels Jun helped build Holy Angels into a New Jersey high school girls golf dynasty. She's a four-time first-team All-North Jersey pick and two-time Girls Golfer of the Year. She led the Angels to four consecutive Bergen County crowns and the last three all-groups Tournament of Champions titles. She won this year's Big North title and closed her career by shooting 1-under-par 71 and finishing second at the TOC. Boys lacrosse -- Brady Scioletti, Don Bosco Scioletti is one of the top-10 recruits in the country and it's not hard to see why. He broke Don Bosco records for career goals and points and won a county title all four years. He's committed to play at Duke. Girls lacrosse -- Elizabeth Crames, Mahwah Crames started all four years at Mahwah, but none were quite like this one. As a senior, she ranked No. 1 in Bergen County in saves, save percentage and goals against average. After setting the Mahwah record for career stops, she will continue her career at Long Island University. Softball -- Gabriella Shadek, Immaculate Heart The IHA catcher made team and individual history in her high school career. She was part of a Blue Eagles senior class that won four straight Bergen County titles – the first time that's ever happened in school history. Shadek also set a state record with 49 career home runs. She will play for Duke. Boys tennis -- Ian Batra, Weehawken Batra had an undefeated regular season to earn first-team NJIC honors and eight wins within the conference. A four-star recruit in tennis rankings, Batra won the first singles flight in the Hudson County tournament and qualified for the state singles championship tournament as the No. 2 overall seed. Batra reached the state semifinals, the best mark of any boys tennis player in school history. Batra has verbally committed to Stevens. Boys track -- Luke Pash, Ridgewood The senior solidified his credentials as the greatest high school distance runner in North Jersey history, when he added an outdoor 3,200 State Meet of Champions to his 2024 1,600 crown and back-to-back state indoor 3,200 titles. He's just the second North Jersey boy to win both the 1,600 and 3,200 state crowns. A highly sought after recruit, he will run at the University of North Carolina next year. Girls track -- Gina Certo, Holy Angels The senior did almost anything a North Jersey girl has ever done in the 400 meters the last three years of her career. She become a rare three-time medalist in the State Meet of Champions and broke 56 seconds in the race a dozen times, more than any athlete in area history. She also was North Jersey's top 200 runner the last two years and will continue her stellar career at Boston College. Boys volleyball -- Ylan Tapper, Garfield The outside hitter led the Boilermakers to their first Bergen County championship and their second straight sectional final. He also led North Jersey in kills with 436 – almost 90 more than the next closest competitor. Garfield finished 21-10, meaning they won 20-plus matches in each of his last two seasons. For his career: 958 kills and 181 aces, including 60 this spring. Boys cross country -- Luke Pash, Ridgewood Pash earned the Record's Boys Cross-Country Runner of the Year for the second straight time. The senior became the first North Jersey runner to win the State Group 4 title since 2003 and was the first repeat winner of the Bergen Meet of Champions since 2010. He'll run at the University of North Carolina. Girls cross country -- Dominique Cameron, Leonia It was quite a first cross-country season for Cameron. A sophomore, she became the first boy or girl from her school to win the Bergen County Meet of Champions and the second sophomore in the last 25 years to earn the title. She led all North Jersey runners with a fifth place finish at the State Meet of Champions. Field hockey -- Krista Lilienthal, Pompton Lakes Lilienthal has meant as much to her team as any player in North Jersey over the past four seasons. She led the Cardinals to four consecutive Passaic County titles while scoring 158 career goals, which is why she is winning this award for the fourth consecutive year. She'll represent all of New Jersey, as she's continuing at Rutgers. Football defense -- Alex Orecchio, Old Tappan If we just had an overall 'Player of the Year' award, it would be Orecchio, who played quarterback, wide receiver, defensive back and kicker for the Golden Knights. He accounted for seven interceptions on defense, and scored 24 total touchdowns, either throwing, running or receiving on offense. He's committed to Johns Hopkins. Football offense -- Nolan James Jr., DePaul The Notre Dame commit was the centerpiece of DePaul's high-powered offense, rushing for 1,921 yards, including 244 yards and two scores in the Spartans' Non-Public B championship win over Pope John. Gymnastics -- Avery Lauterback, Emerson The senior capped her career in style, winning the sectional title in the all-around for the third time and finishing seventh in the state championship in bars. Boys soccer -- JJ Ruehlemann, Waldwick JJ Ruehlemann is the North Jersey Boys Soccer Player of the Year after winning a state title in his final year at Waldwick. The Warriors forward led the state with 40 goals and broke the school single-season record. He will continue his career at Williams College. Girls soccer -- Nicole Crane, DePaul Nicole Crane is the North Jersey Girls Soccer Player of the Year after leading DePaul to league, county and sectional titles. The senior forward scored a career-high 18 goals to earn her spot as an All-American. She signed to play at Penn State. Girls tennis -- Britney Lee, Ridgefield Park The Scarlets went winless during Lee's sophomore year. But in 2024, she led them to a 5-11 record – which equaled their win total from the previous nine seasons combined. Lee also stood out as an individual, going 19-1 and advancing to the state singles quarterfinals. Fun fact: The only girls to beat her in the past two years were the ones who played for the 2024 state title. Girls volleyball -- Samantha Kranzler, Old Tappan Kranzler led the undefeated Golden Knights in kills and aces, helping them finish 25-0 – the second perfect season in program history. After helping Old Tappan capture its sixth Bergen County title, she averaged 13 kills per match in the state tournament for the Group 2 champions. She is a three-time All-North Jersey selection. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: See winners from 2025 North Jersey High School Sports Awards show
Time of India
22-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Digital push: Vypeen to launch e-libraries in all high schools
Kochi: In a pioneering step towards promoting digital literacy and access to knowledge, e-libraries will be set up across all higher secondary schools (HSS), vocational higher secondary schools and high schools within Vypeen constituency. According to MLA K N Unnikrishnan, this initiative will make Vypeen the first constituency in the state where every high school has a digital library. The inauguration of the constituency-wide project will be held at the St Mary's High School ground in Pallippuram at 10am on July 29. Kerala legislative assembly speaker A N Shamseer will inaugurate the event, with MLA Unnikrishnan presiding. This innovative initiative, spearheaded by Unnikrishnan, aims to shape a brighter future for the community. "The digital libraries will host an extensive collection of top-quality books accessible to both students and public. In addition, various training programmes will be offered to help users develop expertise in different fields. The libraries will include works from renowned authors as well as contemporary writers," Unnikrishnan said. Students can access the digital content using the computers already available in schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Gold Is Surging in 2025 — Smart Traders Are Already In IC Markets Learn More Undo E-libraries will provide guidance and preparation resources for competitive exams. Courses in spoken English, communication skills and syllabus-oriented learning programmes for beginners and intermediate learners will also be available. Unnikrishnan further stated that digital libraries aim to bridge the gap in educational resources between urban and rural areas, promote reading habits and encourage learning across all age groups. "Besides school and college students, homemakers, job seekers, senior citizens and public will also benefit from these libraries," Unnikrishnan said. The total investment in the project is Rs 2.5 crore.
