Sept. 30, 2025- In 2024, the Raider Pantry at High School East and the Captain's Closet at High School North received a big boost from the Ocean County Youth Services Commission's (OCYSC) Confidence Closet grants, which provided funding to stock those rooms for students and families in need. High School South, without a pantry or closet of its own, was unable to take advantage.

That has all changed, thanks to the most recent round of OCYSC Confidence Closet funding, some ingenuity from South Principal Kevin Raylman, and the elbow grease of the school's skilled Project SPEAR-IT students.

This past spring, all three high schools received Confidence Closet funding, but South received a little bit more— $4,700 to be exact, while East and North received $3k each— not just to stock a closet but to build one. And that's exactly what they're doing.

As is typically the case when something needs building or fixing at South, the students themselves have taken on the job. Teacher Tim O'Leary and his pre-apprenticeship students in the construction SPEAR courses were commissioned by Principal Raylman for the work. Over the summer, they built out a space across from the main office that is front-facing— and intended to serve as the school store— but with a pantry behind it, so that anyone who'd like to take advantage of the space can do so discreetly.

There remains work to be done. There's been no report of tears, but blood and sweat have certainly been spilled, the former resulting from a forehead injury to O'Leary from a pesky exposed bolt. He's OK, though. Nothing will stop him.

Meanwhile, the Raider Pantry used their funding to secure a huge and impactful purchase— a brand new washer and dryer. The set was delivered in April, the school's facilities specialist Mike Yost made all the connections in May, and since then East has had an asset for students in need and some life skills equipment to boot.

"Our 18-21 life skills students have been laundering the school tablecloths that are used at all school based events, and we also clean all the rags used in our art classes," said HSE teacher, coach, and Raider Pantry caretaker Rachel Barry. "We're currently working to design and implement a wash, dry, and fold service via time slots for students who currently do not have access to a washer/dryer in the home."

Across town, students in Mrs. Powell's community-based instruction class wash and fold clothing donations for the Captain's Closet, High School North's free student thrift store. Through this year's OCYSC funding, Powell's classroom also purchased a new washer and dryer, as well as a year's worth of laundry detergent. Last year they completed 398 loads of laundry. Once washed, the students take the clothes to the media center, organize them, and hang them in the Captain's Closet.

In addition to the washer and dryer, HSN secured supplies for the Comfort Corner, also located in the media center. There, students can help themselves to hygiene supplies such as deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, feminine products, and more.

The Captain's Closet is open to all students, no questions asked. Thanks to the OCYSC grant and generous donations, the closet has added hoodies, sweatpants, and T-shirts this year for students in need.

"Sometimes a student has a spill and needs a new pair of pants," said HSN teacher and Captain's Closet founder Kodi Sohl. "Sometimes they are cold and need a sweater, and sometimes they just love to come and see what fun items have been added. We are so grateful for the grant as well as all the teachers and families who have donated to the Comfort Corner and the Captain's Closet."

See more photos of the Captain's Closet and Comfort Corner in action, and stay tuned for updates on the new closet at High School South.