Behind every great love is a great story
by Cate Murway
“Life is too short to be anything but happy!” [Nikki Mosco]
Nikki Alexis Mosco, Vice President of the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council [MYAC], very obviously loves life!
She and the team of Bristol High School youths are devoted to achieving their highest potential to make a positive, effective difference among their peers and then ultimately within the entire borough. The Mayor of Bristol Borough, Honorable Joseph [Joe] A. Saxton wholeheartedly feels that Nikki is “very focused, involved in every and all projects. She is an accomplished student, involved in cheerleading and dance and still makes the time to serve her community.”
It’s vitally important to highlight accomplishments of young people. Teens' success can provide inspiration to other youth who are struggling to make a difference.
September BHS Student of the Month, 4th academically in her class of 85, Nikki was the recipient of the first Bristol Rotary Student of the Month. The primary objective of the Bristol Rotary established in 1924 is to encourage and foster the ideal of service.
Nikki was quoted as saying it is “a great honor to be the first Student of the Month, and a great way to start my senior year.” At this point, Nikki has been accepted and offered a $50,000 scholarship at Albright College in Reading that fosters a commitment to the best of human values and a lifetime of service and learning. Her primary choice, Cabrini College, a beautiful campus located in suburban Philadelphia, is among the first in higher education to implement community service into its curriculum, and was the first in Pennsylvania to require community service of all undergraduates, has offered her a $64,000 scholarship. Her applications were also sent to LaSalle University and Rider University.
Nikki shares her strong leadership qualities, confidence, enthusiasm and charismatic presence and her gymnastic proficiency from the Bensalem School of Gymnastics, as one of the captains of the BHS Varsity Cheerleading squad. In her sophomore year, their dynamic presence was recognized as 2006 overall B.A.L. Champions. The BHS cheer squad hosted the Pep rally before the Morrisville game [28-0] for the resident B.A.L. champs, the BHS football team.
As a Distinguished Honor Student, member of the National Honor Society, Nikki’s achievement in scholarship, leadership, service, and character are rewarded. Four main purposes guide chapters of the NHS: "To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, and to develop character in the students of secondary schools."
Nikki has been selected as a Student Delegate, [she has her own seat and nameplate] and the opportunity to attend the School Board meetings once a month. During the Hershey 3-day trip in October, they debated and researched various topics including “making universal grading scales”. Whether debating rivals on issues or leading classroom discussions, she has learned to speak confidently in a variety of group settings. Nikki feels fortunate to reside in Bristol and states, “We are lucky to have so many opportunities in one square mile!”
Nikki was voted “Most likely to be in Gatto’s book” [Football Coach/ woodshop teacher George Gatto] by her peers.
Law school is Nikki’s ultimate goal and she enjoys a healthy fascination with the political process. Political science majors examine the development and the function of governments and the behavior of rulers throughout history. They are prepared to pursue careers in government or public service, either as elected politicians, support staffers, or consulting analysts.
She has discovered the crucial speech and presentation skills that will help her express her ideas effectively by participating in the Mock Trial program. She has developed critical thinking and public speaking and oral advocacy skills, as well as knowledge of legal practices and procedures. All of the student participants leave with an appreciation of the difficulties that judges, lawyers and juries face in attempting to present all relevant facts and legal arguments to insure the just resolution of the issues involved. Her Junior year, she was recognized as “Best Attorney” and sophomore year she bagged “Best Witness”.
Borough roots are strong in this family.
2 months & 10 days older than her cousin and best friend, Samantha Cordisco, BHS ’08, they mutually declare, “We do EVERYTHING together!”
Her parents, football athlete, N.J. Local Union #269 electrician Francis William [Frank], BHS ‘83/BCCC/Electrician trade school and basketball/softball/cross country athlete, who also played tuba, Tammy [Denike], BHS ‘84 were married in 1988. They attended Tammy’s BHS Senior Prom together and both were employed at Cesare's Pizzeria on Haines Road and in “Cesare’s Italian Specialties Ristorante” [the closest thing to home cooking!] together as a waitress and a cook.
Nikki’s Aunt Jonnette, BHS ’69 and Uncle Severino [Sonny], who sings with the Gary Tosti Band [Garyoke] are still Borough residents. Her dad’s brother, John is a roofer and his sister Gail, is a BHS ’67 graduate.
Nikki’s mom works as an E.R. registration /insurance consultant and her siblings are all BHS grads: Aunt Samantha, BHS ’87, Uncle Richard, BHS ’81, Aunt Barbara, BHS ’82, and Uncle Michael, BHS ’89. Nikki’s grandmother, Joyce [Cook] Denike [late husband, Richard] is a Dorrance Street resident. Her paternal late grandparents were John, a BHS student and Burlington, NJ resident Marcella Mosco. Nikki’s field hockey athlete sister, Krista Marie attends Bristol Middle School and her little brother, D.J. will be three next month.
Dancing has always been such a positive energy release for this impulsive and energetic
athletic teen who competed in Disney World, the Bahamas, and on the original Disney cruise package outside of Florida on “The Big Red Boat”. The family trekked to NYC and she experienced the thrill of debuting her dazzling numbers, dancing with the junior Rockettes in Radio City. The 3-hour workshop allows hopeful dancers to get a glimpse into the life of a Rockette and gain a sense of the excitement, challenges and joys that come along with being part of the world’s most famous precision dance company. She grew up competing, dancing for 13 years at Vanzant Dance Academy in Levittown and continued to dance throughout high school, entertaining the “seasoned citizens” at the Mill Run Nursing Home and the Grundy Towers Assisted Living facilities. One of her contest awards at the Lawrenceville, NJ 2002 Showstopper Regional Competition was the “Top Overall 13 & 14 Duet” danced with Kristen Konski, Miss Teen of PA who placed 5th runner-up in the Miss Teen of America, to the music of “It Don't Mean a Thing”.
“There's something else that makes the tune complete It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing.”
Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald
Nikki volunteers her time in the "Shop With A Cop" program. The primary purpose is to provide a happier holiday season to less fortunate children and to have them interact with law enforcement officers in a positive setting. Rising Star Nikki’s community activities include working with the Community Mobilizer, Loretta M. Vasso, M.S., CAC with her
participation in Bristol Day and the “family movie nights” sponsored by the Bristol Borough Community Partnership. Her vocal talents will echo at the Christmas concert sponsored by the Bristol Lions Club. She actively participates in a powerful network of organizations committed to making service the common experience and expectation of all young Americans, helping in her own way to create a healthy community, foster citizenship, and build on the knowledge and personal development of other young people.
Always having gone above and beyond the call of duty to contribute to her school, Nikki reigns as part of the Homecoming Court as well as a finalist in the “Chemists celebrate Earth Day”. Her designed creations were sent on to the National level. Nikki’s innovative illustration showed the recycle symbol in the middle of a drawing of the earth entitled, “Save our World—Recycle”, although she didn’t use recycled poster board!
Her traditional haiku, combining three different lines with a distinct grammatical pattern of 5, 7, 5:
Recycle your trash
You’ll live in a better place
Save our world today.
Nikki’s favorite film, “The Notebook”, based on a novel by Nicholas Sparks is a love story starring James Garner and Gena Rowlands. They both think the unquenchable echo deep in their hearts that has lasted all through the years, is not shared by the other.
“Behind every great love is a great story.”
This teen has an extremely busy life and the energy to handle it! Adding a part time job to her school year schedule is a positive for Nikki and the people with whom and for whom she works. KellyAnn Bellerby, President of the Bristol Borough Business Association, and owner of The Glamorous Life, the full service spa featuring tanning, nail, and hair service, shares, “Nikki does a little bit of everything. She is dependable, reliable and very friendly. She speaks to everyone and is very bubbly! The best employee anyone could ask for!” Nikki has been employed at the spa and “Transformations” for nearly 2 years as receptionist for both businesses and she even instructs machine usage! Her giving, selfless nature shines through. She is funny, bright, professional, and diligent beyond belief. Her parents, who have helped her to make responsible choices and to build her character, have guided her in the right direction. She, undoubtedly on the road to being a responsible adult, possesses the tools she needs to succeed in life. Nikki, although clearly focused on the present, is obviously scripting her own great story!
Recommend a Spotlight: vjmrun@yahoo.com
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Joyce Denike passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on June 24, 2012.
Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Joyce was a resident of Bristol for over 50 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband Richard and her brother Gene Davish.
You never really know how well someone is liked and loved until their passing. Joyce has been known as a great advisor, a mentor, a mother, a wife and a friend.
She is survived by her children Richard Denike Jr., Barbara Cordisco (Steve), Tammy Mosco (Don Burns), Frank Mosco, Samantha Waterbor (Tom) and Michael Denike (Lorna). She is also survived by 13 grandchildren Nikki, Samantha, Krista, T.J., Alexa, Megan, Kalie, D.J., Mason, Rayna, Gianna , Adrianna and Casey.
She is also survived by her sister Judy Manges(Richard), her brother Harold Cooper (Ruth) and her sister-in-law Lisa Davish as well as many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to her caregiver Barbara from Chandler Hall Hospice.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Funeral Service on Friday, July 1, 2012, 11:00am at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. Interment, Bristol Cemetery. Friends may call Friday morning 9-11:00am. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, 700 Horizon Circle, Suite 201, Chalfont, Pa 18914. Condolences can be sent to info@wadefh.com
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Francis "Frank" Mosco, 52, of Bristol, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and friends on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Temple University Hospital. A life long resident of Bristol, Frank was a 1983 graduate of Bristol Jr. Sr. High School. Frank was employed as an electrician for IBEW Local 269 of Trenton, NJ.
Frank was a passionate man who enjoyed spending time with his loved ones, planning his never ending trips to Disney World, and catching up with his friends whom he regarded as family. Frank was extremely hard working but he always managed to make time for anyone who ever needed help. His humor, sincerity and generosity will forever be missed by so many.
Frank is preceded in death by his parents, John and Marcella Mosco, and his brother, Sonny. Frank leaves behind his two daughters, Nikki and Krista. His two girls were his world. Nothing made Frank happier than talking about his daughters and all of their accomplishments. He is also survived by his sisters, Jonette (John Ruszin) and Gail Costantini; his little buddy, DJ; and his grand puppy, Bella Boo; as well as many loving nieces, nephews, cousins, and other beloved family and friends.
Family and friends are invited to his Funeral Service on Saturday, December 30, 2017, 11:00am at the Wade Funeral Home, 1002 Radcliffe Street, Bristol Borough. Interment, St. Mark Cemetery. Viewing hours for Frank will be Friday evening 5-8:00pm and Saturday morning 10-11:00am. Flowers or Memorial donations, in Frank's name, may be made to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street., Suite 500, Chicago, Ill 60611 or by visiting www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org. www.wadefh.com
**I will never be able to put into words just how much my dad meant to me. Yesterday, my heart was completely shattered. My dad was my world. He was my hero, my protector, my rock and my best friend. I’m not sure how I was blessed to be given such an amazing dad and although he was taken from me much too soon, I will forever be grateful to God for blessing me with him as my father. He was the true definition of what a dad should be. He never missed anything for my sister and I. From taking us to dance class to attending our graduations, he was always there for us. My heart will never heal from this. I will love you always, Dad. I hope you are finally at peace and no longer suffering. Nikki
**Words cannot begin to explain the pain my heart feels. Today the world lost one of the most loving, caring, kind, and strongest human beings I have ever known. My dad was the true definition of what a father should be. He was there for everything, from dance recitals, award ceremonies, to field hockey games, and he has always put us first in his life. He taught me how to be strong and independent while continuing to be loving and compassionate. There won't be a single day I don't think about him or wish I could hear his voice, but I'll know he's always right here with me every step of the way. I'll love you forever dad. Krista Marie
Nikki Alexis Mosco
4.15.12 Nikki Mosco- I was accepted to law school!!
Widener Law School
5.16.15
Frank Mosco
I can't even express
how proud I am of my daughter!!!
Law School Graduate!!!!
October 9, 2015
Nikki A. Mosco, Esquire
"Very thankful and excited to say that I passed the Pennsylvania bar exam!!!!!"
