Almost 50 Years After King's 'Dream,' Daniel Money Leads Raider Parade

The year is 1963 — a time when the concept “separate but equal” was making headlines — and the response came from a well-known speech commencing with “I Have a Dream.”

In the halls of Ocean City High School, these trying times were present, but not permeable to the spirit of the students and faculty. Exemplifying this notion of colorblindness was a superlative senior named Daniel Lamont Money.

His accomplishments in both the classroom and in the four varsity sports he lettered in defied all that was typecast for a young man of ethnicity back in the early 1960s. Money credits the faculty and staff of the Ocean City School System and his family for all his success during the formative years.

“Growing up in the small town, people never treated my family different," Money said. "We were equals and shown that respect in both the town and schools. Coaches like Dixie (Fred ‘Dixie’ Howell), Fenton Carey, Andy Prohaska, Tom and Ralph Oves; teachers such as Mr. and Mrs. Subotich, Mr. John Rosebury, Doc Lauer; and parents of my peers, the Fox’s or the French’s — they all seemed to adopt me and treat me as one of their own. And I never forgot.” 

But peaking in high school was not in the cards for Money. His initiative, drive and passion for education translated into a career that has touched countless lives, encouraged thousands of students and enabled Dan to recycle the gifts of decency, respect and motivation he received as a student in Ocean City — or as he puts it, “pay it forward.”

This humble Ocean City alumnus who keeps leading by example and motivating educators across the state has been selected as the 2012 grand marshal of .

Money is an Ocean City native, the first son born to Elmer and Elizabeth Money. Raised in a home of six children, he never felt his family was suppressed or deprived in the community of Ocean City. Rather, the Money family was involved through work, church and community recreation. Many remember his siblings, the eldest Connie and Caroline Money (both now deceased); his sister Drena Garret (currently a pastor for St. James Parish in Ocean City); and the two youngest, Dwight Carlton Money and Wanda Butler. 

In fourth grade, Money experienced a pivotal moment in his student career.

“While not exuding ‘good behavior,’ Mr. Streeter, one of my teachers, sent me down to see Joe Newsome, the school custodian. The time and effort that man dedicated to me changed my path forever. He believed in me.”

As he matriculated through the Ocean City School System, Money was a disciplined student who made exemplary grades. That hard work and discipline were demonstrated to his peers on the playing fields. Money exhausted his natural athletic ability in various sports such as baseball and track. It is no exaggeration that he would compete in a track event such as the 100 meter or long jump, and then hustle his way to the baseball field on the same day. Money also served his fellow teammates in leadership positions as co-captain in football and a standout starting five on the basketball court.

The storm of 1962 gave Dan one of his best sports memories.

“The day we were scheduled to play Salem in a basketball state tournament qualifier, I awoke to two feet of water in my bedroom. As hard as Dixie (Coach Fred Howell) tried, Salem would not reschedule the game, and in order for the team members to be eligible to play, we had to be in attendance of school. I don’t recall whose boat it was, but Charlie Baker, Barry Banks and I rowed to Asbury Avenue, picked up John Cranston and made it to higher ground to be on the eligible roster for the Red Raiders.” OCHS fell to Salem High School in that match, and Salem went on to win the state title.

After graduating, while many of his peers prepared to enter the working world, Money instead continued his education at Hampton Institute, Atlantic Community College and finishing at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) with a bachelor of science in Criminal Justice.

Always a public servant, Money began in the working world as a police officer in Ocean City and eventually was promoted to detective for the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. The 1970s embarked a change in Dan’s life as he embraced a calling in the field of education and earned degrees including a bachelor of arts in education and a master’s degree in school administration.

 Cape May Country Vocational Technical Center became the breeding ground of a sleeping giant. Working his way up from a cooperative education coordinator to principal, Money immersed himself in his work. One day, a student with a familiar name crossed the threshold into the school — Joe Newsome’s son walked into the vocational center seeking guidance and a mentor.

“My heart swelled,” remarked Money. “I said to that young man, ‘Go home and tell your father, it’s my turn to pay it forward.’ THAT was a great day.”

A change of schools allowed Dan to expand his ideals of education at the Burlington County Institute of Technology.

“We had a positive school climate because we as a school community united under one shared expectation — each one of us, student, teacher, support staff and administrators, participated as a member of a learning community,” explained Money. “We expected each member of the learning community to promote excellence.”

Leading the school, Money found success that was repeatedly rewarded with accolades including Burlington County Administrators Association Golden Lamp, the State of New Jersey Metlife Principal of the Year and New Jersey Visionary Leader of the Year. In addition to his daytime school management, Money found time to share his sports expertise and has since been inducted into the South Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame.

Committed to excellence extending beyond his school walls, Money actively participated in more than eight professional organizations, serving as president of four. When it came to his personal philosophy of education, he lived and breathed the lessons he taught, lead his staff and students by example and shared his convictions with positive contagion.

Since his retirement in 2007, Money continues to motivate and guide educational leaders for the State Department of Education, serving as a mentor/coach to the next generation of school administrators. The Ocean City School System has benefited from his efforts, having worked with Primary School Principal Dr. Joanne Walls and Ocean City High School’s Dr. Christine Lentz.

Money has led a very private life. He has three children, Tia, Keith and Kevin, and raised his granddaughter Raina. He and his wife, Mary, have been married for 38 years. Life beyond his own extends to his seven grandchildren, one who is just recently celebrated matrimonial bliss.

Every day, Money aspires to inspire. This is the lesson he learned as a young man growing up in Ocean City; a lesson taught to him by his parents, his Ocean City teachers and coaches; a lesson he applied to his peers in school and the same lesson instills in the educators he mentors. He serves as an inspiration to all Ocean City Alumni, embodying the impenetrable spirit of limitless possibilities and showing us all so many ways we can ‘pay it forward.’ Proudly, the Ocean City Alumni Association will honor Daniel Lamont Money as the 2012  grand Marshall at the annual Red & White Alumni Weekend. All are encouraged to cheer on this icon during the Red Raider Parade, Saturday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m. in downtown Ocean City.

Money will also serve the keynote address at the upcoming alumni, faculty and staff luncheon later that afternoon. For more information on Red & White Alumni Weekend, visit www.OCHSalumni.com.

— By Shawna Mulford