Top high school seniors offer secrets to success
| Editor’s Note: This story was corrected October 4, 2012 |
Graduation is right around the corner at the three area high schools: High Point, Wallkill Valley and Vernon. Every member of the Class of 2012 has something special to offer; they've grown and achieved much over the years. As their high school careers wind down, reporter Nicole Cusick tracked down the top students from each of the local public high schools for brief interviews.
High Point Regional High School
Laura Masson Town: Sussex College/Major: University of Richmond on a full ride science scholarship, majoring in biology.
Achievements: Graduating second in her class; got a 2360 on her SAT; on the steering committee for Peer Counseling.
Secret to success: “Balancing things, put in time for school work and friends, but don't overdo anything.”
Advice to underclassmen: "Have fun, think about the future a little bit, but not too much. It comes fast enough."
People to thank: “Mrs. Abrams, who is like a second mom to me in school.”
Peter Granville Town: Sussex
College/Major: Kenyon College, majoring in mathematics and English.
Achievements: Winner of the Superintendent Round Table Award; captain of the cross country team and was MVP; president of the National Honor Society; co-editor of school literary magazine although staying happy is his biggest accomplishment in high school.
Secret to success: “Optimism is number one, but also finding a balance to all of the parts of your life.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Set a goal for yourself, then forget about it and shoot beyond it. Don't let yourself believe you have a maximum.”
People to thank: “I want to thank the people I surrounded myself with who themselves were so successful that I wanted to strive to be as successful as. Also, I want to thank my teachers Ms. Strout, Mr. Lubchansky and Mr. Emering for inspiring me.”
Jared Alosio Town: Lafayette
College/Major: Duke University, majoring in mathematics and biomedical engineering,
Achievements: Vice president of National Honor Society; vice president of Key Club junior year; Varsity tennis all four years, MVP last year and captain this year; steering committee member for Peer Counseling; received two 800's on the Math SAT section and on the Math 2 subject test. He also had two leading roles in the school's dramatic productions this year.
Secret to success: “Stress the things that make you happy and keep you sane. Don't get too overwhelmed with one thing.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Do what makes you happy. If you are doing what you love things will work out for you.”
People to thank: “Mr. Kappelmeier and Mr. Grieco, because they taught me the importance of math, how wonderful and humorous it can be.”
Kristy Zukswert Town: Lafayette
College/Major: Boston University, honors college, majoring in biology with a minor in Spanish.
Achievements: Graduating first in her class, third year varsity tennis, captain and MVP this year; president of TSA, where the team won third in state and eighth in nationals for their architectural model; member of National Honor Society; member of the steering committee for Peer Counseling.
Secret to Success: “Be determined and work hard. Don't believe anything is impossible.”
Advice to Underclassmen: “Try new things, meet new people, and be adventurous.”
People to thank: “My parents because they are my rocks as well my friends and my teachers especially including Mrs. Traville, Mrs. Librizzi, Mr. Kappelmeier, and Mrs. Abrams.”
Meghan L. Arnold Town: Sussex-Wantage
College/Major: Rutgers New Brunswick, majoring in molecular or cell biology.
Achievements: President of student body; actively involved in Pass it Along; member of Research Club where she published two proteins; a science club and Olympiad member; Varsity Girls Soccer 101 Sussex tournament; Varsity track for three years; attends a summer college
Secret to success: “Balance is the key to sanity.”
Advice to underclassmen: 'Be your own advocate.”
People to thank: "My parents even though sometimes we don't get along. My mom taught me a lot a perseverance and independence. Mrs. Traville, Mrs. Henry."
Vernon Township High School Matt Chastain
Town: Vernon College/Major: University of Massachusetts, Amherst, majoring in instrumental music education.
Achievements: Head drum major; Jean ValJean in the school's production of "Les Miserables;"made All Eastern Choir for two years.
Secret to success: “Dedicate yourself to something you love.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Not do what they feel like they should do, but do what you want to do.”
People to thank: “Mr. Taylor, Mr. Boehm and Mrs. Krott because they helped guide me in my music education — and my parents.”
Marissa Ann Arahill Town: Vernon
College/Major: De Sales University, she will be a part of their five-year physician's assistant training program.
Achievements: Scholar athlete; winner of the Superintendent's Round Table Award; first in her class; captain of the cross country team.
Secret to success: “Balance, because it is hard to keep up with school work, activities and volunteering.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Don't obsess over school as much as I did. You won't remember your grades. You will remember your friends and your activities more.”
People to thank: “Mr. Getz, Mr. Morris, Mr. Shenise, my family and the Vernon Ambulance Squad for getting me interested my career choice.”
Luke Benning Town: Vernon College/Major: Cornell University, majoring in computer science with a focus on mathematics.
Achievements: Lead programmer for the FRC Robotics Team 1989 at school; on his own time he taught himself Calc 2 and took the AP test for it; he also designed two of his own video games.
Secret to success: “Taking what I learned in the classroom and applying it to my work and activities outside of school.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Try to find out what you like early on, because once you know what you want to do you can build your skill set in that area.”
People to thank: “Mrs. Ryerson, Mr. Stracquatanio, Mrs. Huhn, my parents, and especially my brother, who inspired my interest in engineering.”
Tim Veiga Town: Vernon College/Major: Seton Hall University, majoring in liberal arts. He will also be paying tuition for Rutgers University, but attending this private university based a merit based award he won.
Achievements: Led a weekend retreat for his church's youth group; held an E-board for Student Council; was involved in the peer counseling committee at school.
Secret to success: “Time management; find a happy balance between your school work and your activities.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Join as many activities as possible because you want your school to feel like your school.”
People to thank: “I want to thank Mrs. Longchamp, Mrs. Ulrich, my family and the adult leaders of my church youth group.”
Jenna Harper Town: Vernon College/Major: Alvernia University, majoring in occupational therapy as part of a five-year program.
Achievements: Class president; DECA treasurer; captain of the volleyball and lacrosse teams this year; for volleyball she was first team NJAC, and for soccer she was Independence First Team
Secret to success: “Stay involved because when I was not involved in an activity my grades were not as good as when I was involved.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Get involved. Participating in things will only make your high school experience better.”
People to thank: “My parents, teachers and Mr. Morris and the rest of my family for always supporting me.”
Wallkill Valley High School AJ Castellucci
Town: Hardyston College/Major: Fordham University, majoring in finance.
Achievements: Fourth in his class; Varsity baseball for two years; captain this year; member of National Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society and several honors choirs.
Secret to success: “Having good time management and being nice to everybody.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Get involved as soon as you can and work hard.”
People to thank: “All of my teachers, coaches and my parents.”
Vanessa Bodossian Town: Franklin
College/Major: Rutgers University, undecided on a major.
Achievements: Member of National Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; secretary of Student Council this year.
Secret to success: “Be kind to everyone and make lots of connections.”
Advice to underclassmen: "Get involved as lot in as many activities as you can.”
People to thank: “I want to thank all of my friends, family and teachers.”
Kristina Garrera Town: Franklin
College/Major: University of Rhode Island, majoring in nursing.
Achievements: Varsity Field Hockey for four years; captain for two years; selected for 1st team for All State Group 2; All NJAC; All Herald; named Sussex Bank Athlete of the month for September; member of the National Art Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Secret to success: “Tried the hardest from the start and made a lot of friends.”
Advice to underclassmen: "Play lot of sports and get involved in activities.”
People to thank: Coach Chernati, Coach Steiger and my family and friends.
Mary Adams Town: Hardyston College/Major: Marywood University, majoring in musical theatre.
Achievements: Won the Superintendent's Round Table Award; DAR Good Citizen Award; present of Student Council; president of the Choir Council; vice president of National Honor Society; she played Belle in the school's production of "Beauty and the Beast" this year; sang the national anthem at an NBA Nets game this past season.
Secret to success: “Being the best person you can possibly be, and kind to all, smile and try your best.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Get yourself out there right away.”
People to thank: "My parents, my friends and Ms. Molnar.”
Erica Friedhoff Town: Hardyston
College/Major: Ramapo College, majoring in social work.
Achievements: A major of National Honor Society; secretary of the Ecology Club; made Varsity tennis this year; Drum Sergeant of the Tri-County Pipes and Drums.
Secret to success: “Work hard and never give up.”
Advice to underclassmen: "Get involved and never be afraid to try new things.”
People to thank: “My parents and teachers.”
Shane Brown Town: Hardyston College/Major: Franklin and Marshall College, majoring in history
Achievements: Scholar Athlete; four-year Varsity for swimming and golf; member of National Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; attended Boys State; coaches a youth swim team.
Secret to success: “Have patience in high school.”
Advice to underclassmen: “Never give up on your work, it will pay off.”
People to thank: “I will thank all of my teachers and Mr. O'Rourke and everyone who has helped me over the last four years.”