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  • PRIMA Foundation Donation Supports Ocean County College, OCVTS Performing Arts Academy Partnership
September 7, 2018

PRIMA Foundation Donation Supports Ocean County College, OCVTS Performing Arts Academy Partnership

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Inc. has pledged $400,000 to provide support for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) Performing Arts Academy in partnership with Ocean County College for the purpose of performing arts programming and education.

TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Gia Maione Prima Foundation, Inc. has pledged $400,000 to provide support for the Ocean County Vocational Technical School (OCVTS) Performing Arts Academy in partnership with Ocean County College for the purpose of performing arts programming and education.

Construction of a 50,000-square-foot building to house the OCVTS Performing Arts Academy on the OCC campus is expected to reach completion in 2019. In recognition of this gift, the Prima Foundation will enjoy the naming rights to the new Black Box Theatre for a 10-year period.

A native of New Jersey, Mrs. Gia Maione Prima (1941-2013) was a singer, an artist, and a devotee of the fine arts. In 1963, she married famous jazz musician, singer, and composer Louis Prima, who passed away in 1978.

The Prima Foundation was established in 2011 to make meaningful gifts to institutions that serve religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational endeavors. In addition, the Foundation supports and encourages an appreciation for American jazz, American popular music, and all fine arts.

Mr. Anthony J. Sylvester of Sherman Wells Sylvester & Stamelman, LLP, a longtime friend and counsel of the Primas, and Trustee of the Prima Foundation, attended the recent OCC Board of Trustees meeting to make a presentation. Also in attendance were: Mr. Stephen Scaturro, OCVTS Board Vice President; Ms. Maureen Stankowitz, OCVTS Board member; and Dr. Michael Maschi, OCVTS Assistant Superintendent.

The Performing Art Academy, which aims to provide a rigorous education for creatively gifted high school students, offers majors in theater, vocal, dance, and audio engineering. Once OCVTS students complete the academy curriculum, they will be awarded an OCC associate’s degree and will be halfway to a bachelor’s degree, all for a fraction of the tuition cost of a university degree. The PAA will be an innovative example of a specialized high school that allows students to graduate with a high school diploma and associate’s degree at the same time.

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