Each year, The South Orange-Maplewood Adult School presents The Gus and Thelma Sickles Lifelong Learning Award to a community member who exemplifies the spirit of lifelong learning.
Created in 2004, the award is named for the late Thelma Sickles, a long-time SOMAS Trustee who served for almost 40 years, and her husband, Gus, a member of many civic organizations and an avid participant in SOMAS classes.
The award recognizes an individual who embodies the model that Gus and Thelma Sickles established as advocates of lifelong learning: a person who, through their example, has encouraged others to participate in lifelong learning, and through their efforts, has enriched the lives of others in the community.
Award Recipients:
2024
Lori Brown Mirabal, Ed.D, opera singer & educator
2023:
Nancy Solomon, senior reporter and founding managing editor of New Jersey Public Radio; podcaster
2022:
Karen Weiland, former South Orange-Maplewood School District Supervisor of the Elementary School Social Work Program and creator of The Parenting Center
2019:
Bethany Pettigrew & Tricia Mitchell Benn, co-directors of the Columbia HS musicals
2018:
Melissa Kopecky, Director of the South Orange Library & Sarah Lester, Director of the Maplewood Memorial Library
2017:
Judy James, former director of SOMAS
2016:
Mila Jasey, New Jersey Assemblyperson
2015:
Susan Newberry
2014:
Patti Nathan
2013:
Sue Marcus, former director of SOMAS
2012:
Carol Petrallia, teacher Columbia HS; Trustee of SOMAS
2011:
Tom Kerns, co-founder of the HK Project; philanthropist
2010:
Charles Bibbins, former SOMAS Trustee
2009:
Deborah Prinz, Director of the South Orange-Maplewood Education Foundation
2008:
Richard Cohen, educator; SOMAS Trustee, former Director of SOMAS Children's Summer Program & Treasure Cohen, educator
2007:
Dick Nichols, Director of SOMAS 1989-1994
2006:
Cathy Garea, educator; former director of the Basic Skills Program at SOMAS
2005:
Jane Jasper, longtime former Trustee and President of SOMAS
2004:
Nancy Redpath, volunteer and philanthropist