2009 United Way Scholar/Athletes announced

Stellar students selected for chance at scholarship, By Laurie Gordon The 24th Annual United Way Scholar/Athlete competition is under way. Each of the 11 Sussex County Interscholastic League schools announced its 2009 nominee at a press conference held on Saturday, Jan. 31 at Sussex County Community College. The scholar/athletes will compete to win the top prize: a $2,500 college scholarship. A total of over $9,000 in scholarship money will be awarded to these student/athletes at a banquet to be held at Perona Farms on Friday, March 27. Between now and March, the nominees will be making two speeches in front of prominent area organizations. The nominees included Wallkill Valley Regional’s Joseph Truppi. On top of being highly accomplished both academically and athletically, Joseph has received state recognition for his artwork. He ranks fifth in his class of 212 and has a GPA of 3.94. He has been accepted to Pennsylvania State University, Rutgers University and the University of Harford and is waiting to hear from several others. He has played two years of varsity soccer, one year of varsity baseball and was an assistant captain for Wallkill Valley’s first ice hockey team. Joseph volunteers mainly through his church and has participated in his school’s annual fundraiser “Super Night” the past four years. Jefferson Township High School’s nominee is Jose A. Diaz II, who is ranked 15th in a class of 281. He was a delegate to the 2008 New Jersey Boys’ State where he was Madison City Judge and was voted as a member of Boy’s State Board of Education. Jose has been a member of the JTHS varsity bowling team for the past three years and has captained the team for the past two. He helped lead the team to two Group II State Sectional Championships and the Wood Bridge Classic Championship. He has been a member of the JTHS Varsity Baseball team for the past two years and was part of the team’s 2007 SCIL Title Season. In 2008, he led the team with 25 runs scored and was second on the team with eight doubles. The University of Rhode Island has recruited him to play baseball. Like the other nominees, Jose has an extensive volunteer resume. Michael Rovinsky is Vernon’s nominee with a 4.18 GPA and a ranking of fourth out of a class of 444 students. He’s attended New Jersey’s Governor School of Engineering and Technology and was inducted into the “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.” Michael has been on Vernon’s cross country team for the past three years, earning three medals and qualifying for Sectionals and State Championships. He was also the senior captain and helped lead the team to become SCIL Co-Champions and qualifying for Sectionals. Michael has done track and field since his sophomore year, running the 1600m, distance medleys and 800m races. During his junior and senior years, he also ran the 1600 and 800 relay races in Indoor Track. Michael volunteers for both the Highland Lakes Fire Department and Vernon Township Ambulance Squad. The Class of 2008 Scholar Athletes will be honored on Friday, March 27 starting at 6:30 p.m. at Perona Farms in Andover. Tickets are $60. For information, contact the United Way of Sussex County at www.sussexunitedway.org or 973 -579-3040.