Maristela Wallace moved to Raritan Township with her family in 2017. She has decided to run for the Hunterdon Central Board of Education as a concerned parent who is not comfortable with the direction the current board is moving. She was previously very active in the Lawrence Township Public School District and has seen how important it is to have a Board of Education with diverse experience and skills. Maristela believes the Board should support every student's individual path, to allow them to grow and flourish into successful adults.

Maristela's path to a career in the food industry started with an appearance on "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?" where she won enough prize money to pay for culinary school. Her culinary background and current position as a cheesemonger have taught her the importance of fiscal responsibility. Staying within budget is the biggest responsibility in the food world. When elected, she will bring this skill set to the BOE.

Her background in non-profits include homeless youth services, public housing and licensed childcare. Those sectors  bring an understanding of the many challenges faced by students, staff and our community overall. 

“I am running for the Hunterdon Central Board of Education because I want our schools to be inclusive, our decisions to be fair, and our budgets to be responsible, so we can give our students and staff the best without burdening our taxpayers.” - Maristela

Vernon Williams has proudly called Raritan Township home for over 20 years. A committed community leader, he serves as Assistant Pastor at Fountain Baptist Church in Summit, NJ, and formerly led engineering operations at Anheuser-Busch in Elizabeth. He currently serves on the National Board of Family Promise, advocating for families and children in need across the country.

Now, Vernon is stepping forward to bring his voice, experience, and values to the local Board of Education.

With a strong background in corporate leadership and faith-based service, Vernon brings critical skills in planning, budgeting, and decision-making. He also offers a much-needed perspective from a community that is too often underrepresented in local decision-making.

Vernon is running to champion inclusive, high-quality public education for every student. He will foster respect and stronger communication between students, families, and staff. He will ensure responsible budgeting that opens pathways to success for all children.

“This campaign is about more than a seat at the table—it's about building a school system where every child can thrive.” - Vernon

Born and raised in Minnesota, Nichole “Nicky” Brice has always been driven to make things better. From serving as Co-President of her high school student council to volunteering in her children’s schools, Nicky has consistently worked to ensure students feel valued, supported, and prepared for success.

Nicky moved to New Jersey in 1996 to attend Rutgers University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. There she met her husband, Kevin, and together they built a life centered around civic engagement and family. They moved to Raritan Township in 2012 so their children could attend Hunterdon Central, a Blue Ribbon School, after matriculating from K-8 in the FRSD public school system. Today, Nicky’s children are a freshman and a senior at Hunterdon Central, giving her a deep, personal investment in the district’s continued success. Deeply involved in the community, Nicky is a proud Marching Band Mom and active volunteer with the Band Parents Association, Orchestra Parent Group, J.P. Case PTO, and Hunterdon Central’s Parent Engagement Committee. She has regularly attended school board meetings for more than three years, and has supported other candidates whose values resonate with her.

Professionally, Nicky spent nearly 25 years in the environmental consulting and laboratory industries, gaining expertise in both technical work and business development. She also served as a leader in the New Jersey Society of Women Environmental Professionals (NJSWEP), including terms as Treasurer and Chapter Co-Chair. These experiences honed her skills in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving that she now applies to her education advocacy.

With Nicky, her authentic commitment is easy to see. After FRSD cut multiple Media Specialist positions, Nicky volunteered weekly at the RFIS and J.P. Case libraries, assisting the school librarian. She is supportive of all students, and can be seen at nearly all school concerts and performances, overwhelmed with pride at the achievements of students she doesn’t even know. If you’re at an awards ceremony where Nicky is in the audience, check to see if she’s crying, which she likely is!

“If elected, I will bring dedication, organization, and passion for students to the Board of Education. I will work to maintain transparency, integrity, and a positive learning environment for every child.” - Nicky