Atlantic City Weekly

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Click here for 2007 honorees Top 40 Party Photos
Click here for the 2006 honorees
Click here for 2006 Top 40 Party Photos
Click here for the 2005 honorees

JJ Booth Teacher, Brigantine North High School

A lifelong South Jersey resident and father of four, JJ began his teaching career in Galloway Township in 1992 where he taught at Cologne Avenue Elementary School. He then moved to Brigantine in 2001 to become the technology teacher for Brigantine North Middle School. JJ is currently the boys' head basketball coach, assistant soccer coach, Computer Club coordinator, golf coach, and assists in the yearbook duties at the Brigantine Middle School. He is also employed by Hidden Creek Golf Club and, along with a partner, started Sports Shot, a photography business that travels to area sporting events focusing on action shots of youth sports. He also gives back to the community by coaching various sports. While involved in these many activities, JJ organized and ran St. Baldrick's Day in Brigantine this past year and raised over $5,000 to promote awareness and funds to cure kids cancer.

Michelle Carney Assistant Principal, Egg Harbor Township Middle School

Michelle believes in service to her community. She is the assistant principal at Egg Harbor Township Middle School and is working towards her Doctoral Degree at Widener University. She recently joined Kappa Delta Pi, an honor society for educators. She has already earned her Bachelor of Arts from the College of William and Mary, as well as two masters degrees in special education and educational leadership. In addition to her academic achievements, Michelle attended William and Mary with a full basketball scholarship. Because of her dedication and love of the sport, she continued to be involved by coaching at Richard Stockton College, Holy Spirit High School and Brigantine North Middle School. Michelle dedicated herself to training for and walking 60 miles in October 2006 to raise money for Breast Cancer Research, a cause that is close to her heart.

Bill Borenstein Director of Entertainment, Harrah's Entertainment

Bill is an Atlantic City native who grew up in Margate and graduated from Atlantic City High School. Since graduating from The William Paterson College of New Jersey in 1989, Bill has worked for several major entertainment companies including MTV, Universal Studios Florida, The Bayfront Park Amphitheater in Miami, The Asheville Civic Center in North Carolina and The Sovereign Bank Arena in Trenton. He joined the Harrah's organization in 2002. Today, Bill is the regional director of entertainment for Atlantic City Operations overseeing entertainment at Harrah's, Caesars, Showboat and Bally's casinos. He is a 2006 Harrah's Property Chairman's Award winner, community volunteer and an EMT. Bill credits his success to his team's performance, stating, "I am lucky to be surrounded by the best entertainment teams in the business." Bill is married to his wife of five years, Pam, and has two wonderful boys, Zach and Chandler.

Heather Colache Dir. of Tourism, Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Authority

Heather's passion for Atlantic City has paved the way for her success in the ACCVA. In the past year, Heather has been promoted twice -- most recently to director of tourism -- and was named 2006 Manager of the Year. Currently, Heather develops and increases tourism revenues from domestic and international sources. She also directs the marketing program to attract films and sports events to Atlantic City, along with overseeing the marketing of the Greater Atlantic City Golf Association, and the ACCVA's Marketing Partnership program. She has been an active member of numerous committees including the American Bus Association, and was secretary for the Greater Atlantic City Tourism Council. Her passion doesn't end there, Heather also volunteers her time at several organizations including the Life Improvement for Cats and Kittens. A lifelong resident of the area, Heather's career in the hospitality and tourism field has continued for nearly 20 years.

Thomas E. Eddington Jr. Dir. of Planning & Design, Karabashian Eddington

Tom is the director of planning and design for Karabashian Eddington Planning Group in Atlantic City where he currently oversees a new Master Plan for the city as well as a Downtown Revitalization Plan for Main Street Atlantic City. Tom worked throughout the Midwest prior to moving to Florida, where he was employed with Walt Disney World doing theme park design. After being selected to participate in a Rotary International Business Exchange program to Japan, he then moved to the Hiroshima region to work with the prefectural government in community development and education. Tom graduated summa cum laude from the Univ. of Illinois with two bachelor's degrees -- in urban and regional planning, as well as landscape architecture. He is currently completing course work on a master's in city planning from the Univ. of Pennsylvania. An avid runner and cyclist, Tom completed his first Philadelphia Marathon in 2003.

Charles Costello Real Estate Agent and Entrepreneur

Charles is an established real estate agent and local entrepreneur. As an authority in home marketing and sales, he has received the 2007 Board of Realtors Circle of Excellence Silver Award and the SellState Innovative Realty Double Diamond award. In 2005, Charles created Costello Personal Finance and Investment -- a synergy of Real Estate services focusing on financing and real estate development. Charles is changing the face of how traditional real estate is done. Charles is a graduate of Atlantic City High School and the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey with a bachelor's degree in psychology. He lives in Ventnor with his wife, Amanda, who is expecting their first child in March. In his spare time, Charles is a full-contact kickboxing and martial arts instructor at Ninja Karate Academy in Ventnor. He also enjoys biblical studies and is committed to serving Christ in all areas of his life.

Meredith Egan Dir. of Community Initiatives, United Way of Atlantic Co.

A native of South Jersey, Meredith graduated from Holy Spirit in 2001 and earned a bachelor's degree from Stockton in 2005. Her volunteer work spans the globe -- from an orphanage in Fiji, to delivering books in South Africa -- and she has interned in Washington, DC for Amnesty International, the world's foremost human rights organization. Meredith earned her master's in international service in 2006 from Roehampton University in London where she worked with Anti-Slavery International. She also studied in Kingston, Jamaica were she volunteered her time at Woman, Inc. an organization addressing domestic violence, rape, incest and human trafficking. Her efforts are not only abroad; she has volunteered locally at the Boys & Girls Club and with the local anti-trafficking task force ATTAC. Meredith is currently director of community initiatives for United Way of Atlantic County, where she oversees Success By 6, the early childhood program and the Volunteer Center.

Will Donio Partner, Cooper Levenson

A native of South Jersey, Will became a partner of the Cooper Levenson law firm in 2003 when he merged his Hammonton practice. Will practices education law, municipal law, commercial litigation and appeals in the state and federal courts of New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He represents many school districts, was the municipal prosecutor in several communities and served on the District I Ethics Committee. A Henry Rutgers Scholar at Rutgers College, Will received his J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law. Will's volunteer work is influenced by his strong belief in education, and he has helped set up numerous education foundations and performed extensive pro bono work for parents of special needs children and the disabled. With his siblings, Will created the Samuel A. Donio Foundation for Education, on which he serves as a trustee. Named after his father, the foundation awards scholarships and grants in the South Jersey area.

Harry A. Escarge Special Education Teacher, Atlantic City High School

As a special education teacher at Atlantic City High School, Harry acts not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor to his students. In addition to teaching, Harry is advisor to the Junior Class, and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), which allows him to reach out to the entire student body, not just the ones in his classroom. He also works through the American Red Cross as a certified lifeguard and lifeguard instructor. Beginning this winter, Harry will be teaching a class that will allow young people in the area to also become certified lifeguards through the American Red Cross. Harry's commitment to the youth of Atlantic County can be seen through his own professional development. Not content to simply rely on what is familiar, Harry has continued his education through graduate study and the earning of advanced degrees in order to serve his students better.