Meet this year's winners

Versatility, adaptability and leadership — all words that suit Sussex County’s Scholar Athletes for 2010, By Ashley Morgan Newton — Eleven young athletes were honored on Jan. 23, for their excellence on the playing field and in the classroom. They’ve been recognized as Sussex County Scholar Athletes for excelling in both venues and are now poised to begin their college careers in lecture halls and on playing fields. Along with the accolades come scholarships ranging from $500 to $3,000. The event, now in its 25th year, was held as a breakfast this year. Proud parents, relatives and friends applauded as each student made their way to the front of the room to hear their biographies read. Along with much community service, the list of their accomplishments included All American Titles, top ten rankings in their respective sports and classes, captains and leaders on both the field and in the classroom. Many of the athletes have been varsity letterers since they were freshman and all were key elements to the success of their teams. Two students, Chris Benvenuto and Thomas A. Di Vitantonio were unable to attend the event because of prior athletic commitments. The event was held in the auditorium of Sussex Community College and was hosted by the United Way of Sussex County; other major sponsors included Ronetco Supermarkets, Mitchell Insurance Agency and Iliff Ruggiero Funeral Home. Thomas A. Di Vitantonio High Point Regional High School Sports: varsity wrestling Class rank: No. 2 out of 277 students Community involvement: Assists in clinical labs; member of the Future Business Leaders of America; Little League umpire Chris Benvenuto Lenape Valley Regional High School Sports: varsity wrestling Class rank: No. 5 out of 183 students Community involvement: vice president of the Student Council; Peer to Peer volunteer; platinum member of the Interact Club Parker Pierson Newton High School Sports: varsity soccer, varsity basketball, lacrosse Class rank: No. 7 out of 191 students Community involvement: vice president of the Student Council; volunteer instructor for Soccer Skills Academy Katie Roffe Sussex County Technical School Sports: varsity tennis, swimming, track and field Class rank: No. 1 out of 118 Community involvement: historian for Key Club; peer leader; clarinetist for Jefferson Township Community Band; Girl Scout Amanda Baker Hopatcong High School Sports: varsity softball Class rank: No. 3 out of 179 Community involvement: Mentor in Freshman Transition Group; Student Council; student tutor; volunteers for a local animal shelter; Toys for Tots participant Meghan Hayes Kittatinny Regional High School Sports: varsity soccer, basketball, track and field Class rank: No. 8 out of 210 Community involvement: Volunteers at a Christmas food pantry and toy drive; Manna House Soup Kitchen, Ginny’s House and Genesis Farms; at the Kittatinny Girls Basketball Camp; participates in the Pass-It-Along Serve-A-Thon Sarah Hetzler Sparta High School Sports: varsity tennis (ranked 20 in the Middle States) Class rank: No. 3 in a class of 307 Community involvement: As a Junior started the Go Green Club; volunteered at Community Outreach in NYC; accepted into Columbia University’s High School program last summer Katie Miller Jefferson Township High School Sports: varsity soccer, golf and AAU basketball Class rank: No. 3 in a class of 282 Community involvement: Member of the school’s Chamber Choir; active member of her church where she is a lector; participated in the Hunger Walk for the Morristown Soup Kitchen Ryan Kelly Pope John XXIII High School Sports: varsity soccer Class rank: No. 11 in a class of 204 Community involvement: President of the Pope John Leadership Council; school ambassador; volunteers in the Athletic Trainer facility and guidance department; volunteers at the Sussex County Food Pantry; has served as a CCD instructor Louis Stengel Vernon Township High School Sports: varsity cross country, indoor track and track and field Class rank: No. 7 in a class of 433 Community involvement: Volunteers at local PAL; volunteers at the Highlands State Youth Troupe; plays tenor saxophone and is an active member of the school’s marching band Rachel Mitchener Wallkill Valley Regional High School Sports: varsity softball, JV basketball and field hockey Class rank: No. 2 in a class of 195 Community involvement: Has helped run food drives, collections for military troops and for underprivileged children; volunteered for two years with The ARC of Union County at the Harvest Ball