WHS Get a New $500,000 Laboratory, Courtesy of Hess

There's nothing like for a science student like working in a brand spanking-new laboratory.

Woodbridge Township high schoolers who attend JFK and Colonia already know that. And finally, after months of construction, students are getting the same thrill.

That was the message at the unveiling of Woodbridge High School's new science laboratory last week. 

A bright, light room, outfitted with the latest in lab equipment and with state-of-the-art tables with hot and cold running water, and a mechanism that raised and lowered the surface, just delighted the crowd of well-wishers and dignitaries who were there for the ribbon cutting.

The crowd included representatives of the Woodbridge-based Hess Corp., who footed the approximately $500,000 cost of the laboratory makeover.

"This is the type of thing we like to do. Health and education are what we focus on," said Borden Walker, president of Marketing and Refining for Hess.

Woodbridge School Superintendent Dr. John Crowe lauded Hess for providing the material support, and Mayor John McCormac - "the education mayor," as Crowe said - for putting together the efforts that resulted in the new laboratory.

"Our students will compete to go to the best colleges and universities - Harvard, Princeton, Yale, and Columbia," Crowe said, pointing to the lab. "Who wouldn't love working there?"

McCormac recounted his discussions with Hess about how to make the best provision for the township schools. "'What's your sweet spot?' In this case, it was science and education," McCormac said to the crowd of Hess's decision to fund the laboratory. "We tried to make it happen."

"If the schools are good and great, I look good and great," the mayor laughed.

Two Woodbridge High students, Quentin Ferraris and Jordyn Stanley, smiled broadly at the new lab. Both seniors remembered the old laboratory it replaced.

"Everything was falling apart. Stuff was missing. You had to double up with other students. Sometimes you didn't even get to do the experiments," Stanley said. "It's so much better to be hands-on."

Ferraris, who plans to enter Kean this fall as a bio tech major, said the new lab "is just amazing. It's a pleasure to work and study there."