Open nominations for 2024-2025 "Ten for Trenton" honorees
In 2023-2024, its 10th season, the Capital Philharmonic honored ten people who make Trenton a better place to live, one at each of the CPNJ's ten concerts that year.
In the 2024-2025 season CPNJ will not only continue the initiative, we are also inviting the entire Trenton community to nominate individuals to receive "Ten for Trenton" recognition. We are looking for "Ten for Trenton" honorees who make Trenton a richer, more diverse, and more vibrant community, in ways ranging from youth programs, to street beautification, to business development, to the arts, to opportunities for the differently-abled, etc. The ten nominees selected by the CPNJ Board of Trustees will be honored both on our website and in person at a CPNJ concert.
How to nominate a "Ten for Trenton" honoree for 2024-2025:
Step one: Choose an individual who, through his or her contribution of time, ideas, energy, and/or resources, has made Trenton a more lovable and more livable city for all.
Step two: Obtain the individual's permission to be nominated and to release their contact information to CPNJ.
Step three: Send CPNJ the name of your nominee, his/her contact information, and a brief paragraph explaining why you believe the nominee has made a worthy contribution to the quality of life in Trenton. The candidate should live and/or work in Trenton and write what their impact is on Trenton and the surrounding region.
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Deadline for nominations: September 15th
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Honorees 2023-2024
Mayor Reed Gusciora
Natalie Tung
Ray & Kelly Ingram
Craig Shofed
Karen Hollywood​​​
Jim Gordon
Jennifer Sheridan
J. Bernard McMullin
Tom von Oehsen
Tony Lesenskyj
Mayor Reed Gusciora
Gusciora was born in Passaic, New Jersey. His father, Walter, worked at the NJ Department of Health in Trenton, and the City was an integral part of Reed's childhood. As a teen attending Jamesburg public schools, he regularly worked with his family’s company, Aardvark Pest Control, and spent time visiting Trenton's museums and famous restaurants.
Gusciora received a B.A. from The Catholic University of America in Politics and International Relations and was awarded a J.D. in 1988 from the Seton Hall University of Law. Previously, Gusciora worked as a congressional aide to the late Mike Synar (OK), a campaign aide to NJ gubernatorial candidate and Princeton mayor, Barbara Boggs Sigmund; and an attorney at Stark and Stark. Gusciora practiced personal injury, banking and labor law. In 2007, Gusciora was appointed Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Trenton. He then served as municipal prosecutor in Princeton, Lawrence Township and Hopewell Borough. He also became an adjunct professor in the Political Science Department at The College of New Jersey. He serves on the Board of Mercer ARC. Gusciora was sworn in as the 49th mayor of the City of Trenton on July 1st, 2018. Prior to becoming Mayor, he served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 1996, representing the 15th Legislative District, which includes portions of Mercer and Hunterdon Counties.
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Natalie Tung
Natalie Tung is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of HomeWorks Trenton, a free community-based after-school boarding program. Growing up in a numbers-driven public school system in Hong Kong, Natalie had an unhealthy relationship with learning. This relationship changed when she had the opportunity to attend a boarding school in New Jersey. More importantly, living with 40 girls at such a young age empowered her to become more empathetic and confident, and these women are still her support system today. While earning her teaching certificate as a sophomore at Princeton University, Natalie started HomeWorks with the idea of replicating this experience for girls in marginalized communities around the world. Since 2016, she has built a diverse team of 9 staff members and over 50 volunteers. Together, they have expanded from a summer pilot to a school-year program with 50 participants and raised over $4 million in cash and in-kind donations. Natalie and HomeWorks have been recognized by McKinsey &; Company, Camelback Ventures, Barclays, Comcast, Hollister, TRESemmé, Vital Voices, Penn Graduate School of Education, Princeton University, The Rachael Ray Show, New Jersey State Legislature and more.
Kelly and Ray Ingram moved to Trenton in 1987 because they found a house they liked and stayed ever since because of the community. Over the past 36 years they have enjoyed being involved with Cadwalader Heights Civic Association, I Am Trenton Community Foundation, Citizens Police Advisory Council, Neighborhood Improvement Association, West Ward Community Center, TDI Connect, which refurbishes PCs and distributes them for free to the community. They are also involved in animal welfare through feral cat spaying and neutering programs. They both have their own businesses in art and design as well as computer software design, development and digital solutions.
Ray & Kelly Ingram
Craig a. Shofed
Craig Shofed, Born in Fort Dix, NJ, Craig Shofed’s parents were in the military, He spent his early years in Germany. In high school, he studied Graphic Arts at Assunpink Vocational School, moving into Advertising Design in college. “It was college that first exposed me to photography.” He maintained an interest in photography, always carrying his camera with him, taking photographs whenever the opportunity presented itself or whenever a particular scene or object inspired him. "I had moved to Trenton, New Jersey and the art scene in my new hometown was raw, vibrant and easy to access. What an amazing place to feed creative juices!” In 2012 Shofed was successful enough to have his first solo exhibit. In 2006 Shofed was introduced to Artworks Trenton. Shofed credits the support that Artworks Trenton gave him as pivotal in his decision to immerse himself in the art world. He was inspired to curate shows to highlight his work and other emerging artists in Trenton. He created the annual Common Threads art festival at Hopewell Valley Vineyard, he became the Managing Curator of the BSB Gallery in Trenton and his artwork began to sell internationally. In June of 2022 Shofed was asked by the board of Artworks Trenton if he would be the interim Director of Artworks. He happily accepted.
Karen Hollywood grew up in Edinburgh, Scotland and has lived in NJ since graduate school.. During her career she has worked with nonprofits throughout the state with roles in museums, higher education and social service organizations, focused on public relations, creating and managing fundraising events, community partnerships, and donor relations. She is currently the Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement, with Grounds For Sculpture, a 42 acre museum, sculpture garden and arboretum located in Hamilton, working to share the organization mission and create sustaining support opportunities in partnership with funding agencies and businesses in the region.
Karen Hollywood
Jim Gordon, gifted with a childhood spent near a music college, heard tubas playing the scales, French Horns practicing harmony and pianos - always pianos in the air for football, baseball, tag, hop-scotch. Jim Gordon is a supporter of the arts & the community of Trenton. Arriving here 30 years ago, he & his wife, Carrie, found solace & a new-comer’s glee in the civilizing cultures of Trenton’s theater, music & Little League baseball. A VietNam vet, Stravinsky’s “A Soldier’s Tale” recalls the joy, fear, exhaustion & chaos of returning to a life that will never be the same; and the bedeviling choices that chaos allows. He is proud to represent those who call themselves soldiers, and honored to be mentioned by the Capital City NJ Philharmonic.
Jim Gordon
Jennifer Sheridan was born to Caribbean parents and raised in Leicester, England. She grew up in a typical West Indian household with three brothers. From an early age she was enthralled with travel, especially after flying to New York at 10 years old. Little did she know that her experience would change her life forever. In 1985, Jennifer and her mother immigrated to the US to begin a new life adventure. GYTI is a non-profit organization that serves middle and high school students in Trenton NJ. The organization’s mission is to educate, promote, and foster global awareness that empowers these youth to re-imagine life, envision their neighborhoods through community engagement, and travel.
Jennifer is a speaker, teacher, and theologian. A licensed minister and seasoned traveler, she has learned the importance of serving others and how travel can be a way to create economic freedom. It is her faith, education, and exposure to the world that drives the work she does in Trenton and the youth she serves. She loves the arts, music, and the outdoors. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys photography and long walks with her dog Tyrion, a Basenji.
Jennifer Sheridan
Bernard McMullan is a 40+ year resident of Trenton and lives in the Island neighborhood of the capital city. He conducts evaluations of educational and social service programs on behalf of national and regional foundations, state and federal government agencies, and large not-for-profit organizations. Bernard is deeply committed to music organizations. He has been a member of both Princeton Pro Musica, a 100+ member choral group and the 16-member acapella ensemble, Mostly Motets, for several decades. He served as a trustee of Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey for nine years and helped conceptualize its Musicians’ Choice Chamber Series. He serves in various capacities at Trinity Cathedral of Diocese of New Jersey including in the Absalom Jones Inspirational Choir, the Ground Facelift Committee, the Cathedral Arts Series at Trinity (CAST) and diocesan planning committee for bishop installations.He and his husband, Sam Stephens, are the proud parents of four adult children and five grandchildren, most of whom reside in Trenton.
J. Bernard McMullin