Dear ‘2000’ High School Graduates:

On behalf of the Central Jersey Network of
Black Women (CJNBW), I would like to take
this opportunity to express our pride in your
accomplishments.  We are here to show you
our support and to recognize your success.
Our community looks upon you as the leaders
of tomorrow.

So far you have gone over the hurdle of making
it through high school.  To get this far, you have
shown that you have the dedication and
perseverance to succeed.  As you embark on
another journey in your life, you are opening a
new chapter in which you will have to maintain
the same qualities.

Knowledge is wealth and opportunities are
limitless.  Education is a powerful tool, and we
encourage you to harness that power.

Finally, we should not forget to congratulate the
parents whose everyday support has
contributed to your success.

Once more, CJNBW salutes the high school
graduates of 2000.

Betsy W. Zikusoka, President
Central Jersey Network of Black Women

While at Rutgers, Mr. Abbott was president of the Minority Engineering Educational Task (a chapter of NSBE) and currently serves on its Alumni Advisory Board. He won the NSBE Region One 1991 Technical Paper Contest (The Power of the Human Brain: A Computer Hardware and Software Representation), NSBE 1991 Scholarship Award, Paul Robeson 1990 Scholarship Award, and the Minority Engineering Educational Task's 1989 Member of the Year Award.

In 1988, Mr. Abbott founded a company named AWARE Information Products (AIP) which produces culturally oriented clothing and does contract custom designs. The company primarily sells its clothing at major shows such as the NY Black Expo, Kwanzaa Expo, and African-American Heritage Festival. AIP has also founded the African Youth Organization (now called the Black Awareness Forum) at Hightstown High School where students were taught African History and involved in various personal development workshops.

Since 1996, Mr. Abbott has also been a staff member of The Stimulation Station, an internet multimedia company that specializes in Digital audio & video content creation, Web site design & deployment, Application development, and Interactive CD-ROM development.

Mr. Abbott was also for six years (1992-98) a co-instructor and co-program coordinator for the Northern New Jersey chapter of the Black Data Processing Associates' Computer Competition Program. The program works with high school students from March to August each year teaching Microsoft Visual Basic programming and analytical skills.

Mr. Abbott resides in Edison, NJ and has been married for 4 years to his college sweatheart Pascale Lafontant.

13