Insurance company sponsors scholarship

Newton — The Mitchell Insurance Agency of Newton recently sponsored the first runner-up scholarship for the 2009 United Way Sussex County Scholar Athlete Program. The runner-up and recipient of a $1,250 scholarship is Kristen Ferriero of Pope John XXIII High School. Kristen, who ranks fifth in a class of 238 and has a GPA of 4.5, is captain of both the Pope John swim team and the West Morris YMCA swim team. She has won numerous awards for swimming and academics. Kristen is also very active in the Girl Scouts, which culminated in her receiving the Gold Award for organizing a Special Olympics program for the West Morris YMCA. Each of the 11 competing Sussex County high schools nominated one high-achieving senior to compete for the top prize of $2,500. The top prize winner and Sussex County Scholar Athlete of the Year is Michael Schilling, with a GPA of 4.37 and number one ranking in his senior class of 221 at Lenape Valley Regional High School. Michael is also captain of three varsity teams: soccer, basketball and track. He expects to major in math and German at college and become a teacher like his parents. He also hopes to coach athletics. Chelsea Shupe of Sussex County Technical School and Michael Rovinsky of Vernon Township School, each received $1,000 scholarships and a $750 scholarship was presented to Vincent Cinotti of Sparta High School. The remaining scholar athletes each received $500 scholarships.