College news

Katarina McKeever of Sparta will attend Drew University this fall as double major in theatre and music. She graduated a year early, as valedictorian of the junior class, in order to further pursue her music. McKeever has classical piano training, plays the guitar, and takes vocal lessons. She has been a member of county, regional, and state choirs. In 2010 she joined Broadway Alliance, making her debut Off-Broadway performance at New World Stages in New York. McKeever has also performed at Carnegie Hall and NJPAC. In her spare time, she organizes concerts for the elderly. In addition to school, she will be in the city, auditioning and performing. Two students from Sparta were named to the spring 2011 dean’s list at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa.: Brendan Rezny, a rising junior majoring in business administration with emphases in marketing and finance, is a 2009 graduate of Sparta High School and the son of Maureen and Robert Rezny; Amanda Robinson, a rising senior majoring in theatre, is a 2008 graduate of Sparta High School and the daughter of Lawrence and Karen Robinson. Alexander Jelly of Sparta was named to the spring 2011 dean’s list at Bryant University in Smithfield, R.I. He is a senior majoring in international business in finance. Colette Iacobazzo of Sparta was named to the spring 2011 dean’s list at SUNY Albany. James Crawford II of Sparta was named a 2011 Distinguished Scholar at Michigan State University. Richard Lloyd (Chad) Estrada of Sparta was named to the spring 2011 dean’s list at Rutger’s University in Newark. Emily Ramos of Sparta has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2011 semester of her sophomore year at Montclair State University, for the fourth consecutive semester. She was also inducted into Phi Sigma Pi National Co-Ed Honors Fraternity. Cynthia M. Lummer of Sparta has graduated from Cazenovia College in Cazenovia, N.Y., with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts degree summa cum laude in interior design minoring in psychology. Nicole Fiorentino of Sparta has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2011 semester at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pa. Michael Nanaszko of Sparta has graduated from the Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City with the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He was accepted as neurosurgery resident at Barrow Neurological Institute in Phoenix, Ariz. Colby James Thompson of Sparta graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University. He will be student teaching during the fall semester at the Alpine school in Sparta. He will continue graduate studies and complete a 5-year Masters Program in May, 2012 in history and elementary education. Four area students were named to the dean’s list for the spring 2011 semester at Bucknell University in Lewisburg, Pa. They are: Vincent M. Cinotti, son of Gene and Donna Cinotti of Sparta and a 2009 graduate of Sparta H.S.; Amanda R. Kelleman, daughter of Paul and Marie Kelleman of Sparta and a graduate of Sparta H.S.; Erin E. Mershon, daughter of James and Brett Mershon of Andover and a 2008 graduate of Gill Saint Bernards School; Clayton M. Smith, son of Kevin and Sharon Smith of Sparta and a 2007 graduate of Pope John XXIII Regional H.S. Lauren Bell, daughter of Vince and Penny Bell of Sparta, has graduated from Hope College, in Holland, Mich., with a bachelor’s degree in communication.