DAR chooses 11 students for annual award
SUSSEX COUNTY — The Chinkchewunska Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution presents the DAR Good Citizen Award to one outstanding senior from each high school graduating class in Sussex County annually. It is a DAR National Award and is intended to encourage and reward the qualities of good citizenship.
These eleven local students were invited to the recent New Jersey State Awards Day luncheon in Princeton,NJ and also to the Chinkchewunska Chapter Awards Day luncheon at the DAR Museum in Wantage. They are exceptional students honored for outstanding characteristics of leadership, dependability, service, and patriotism.
Among the 11 who were honored were the following local students:
High Point Regional High School — Mackenzie Arnold
Mackenzie Arnold graduated from High Point Regional High School as Salutatorian of his 2013 senior class, an AP Scholar, and the recipient of the Superintendent's Roundtable Award. He served as president of National Honor Society, and Foreign Language National Honor Society, secretary of Math National Honor Society, Captain of the Mock Trial Team which placed first in the county, 1st in the Region, and 2nd in the NJ State competitions, and was a first team starter of the Academic Team. He is a recipient of the Raoul Wallenberg Honors.
Mackenzie was one of three delegates selected at HPRHS to attend an Elks Youth Peer Leadership Conference. He also served at NJ Boys State as County Court Judge, Dept. of Education Board member, City Party VP, and councilman.
At the National Young Leaders conference of 300, he served as Speaker of the House and was selected to give the farewell address of the conference.
He was vice-president of Future Business Leaders of America, and place first in impromptu speaking in the NJFBLA competition. He also won the NJ American Legion Oratorical Competition.
Mackenzie was Drum Major of the marching band,played in the concert band, was a member of the varsity golf team, and competed with the Technology Student Association — placing second in NJ Webmaster. He was a member of Peer Counseling, Key Club, Debate Team, Student Council, and Student Advisory Committee.
He is an Eagle Scout which is the highest advancement rank in scouting, and he is a member of Order of the Arrow which is the National Honor Society of Scouting.
Mackenzie will attend Boston College on a full tuition scholarship (Presidential Scholars Program) where he will study Political Science. He plans to attend Law School, and may pursue a political career.
Kittatinny Regional High School — Catherine Carlson
Catherine Carlson graduated from Kittatinny Regional High School, where she was a member of National Honor Society, a NJ STARS candidate,and a New Jersey Girls State finalist.
She was a Peer Leader, mentoring incoming seventh and eighth graders, and attended the Pass It Along Leadership Conference.
She also served as a teacher's aide in a the Special Education Department as an elective class, and was the boys varsity soccer statistics keeper.
Cathy actively participates in several community activities, including St. Joseph's Church Food Pantry and Social Outreach, Knights' of Columbus Christmas Wreath sale, NJ State Fair volunteer, Branchville Rotary State Fair volunteer, and as a volunteer at the Stillwater Historical Society Fall Festival.
Cathy will attend Caldwell College in the fall where she will major in early childhood/special education. She would like someday to work in group home for special needs individuals.
Lenape Valley Regional High School — Cameron Ellis
Cameron Ellis of Stanhope graduated from Lenape Valley Regional High School as a member of National Honor Society, German Honor Society, and German Folk Club. He was a member of the Chem Team for three years.
Cameron captained the cross-country team,when it placed second all-conference in 2012. He was a member of a relay team during track season that captured three school records.
Cameron has been an active member of Civil Air Patrol since 2007. He attended Cadet Officer School, and has been the Cadet Commander of the Picatinny squadron for two years. He is also the Deputy Cadet Commander of the Northeast Regional Glider Center of Excellence, and is a junior member of a soaring club, Aeroclub Albatross, out of Blairstown Airport.
In the community, Cameron has participated in Wreaths Across America by laying wreaths at trees planted at Picatinny Arsenal to honor fallen soldiers, running in Relay for Life, assisting as a CCD aide at his church, and volunteering for community events at Picatinny Arsenal.
In the fall, Cameron will enter Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN where he will study Engineering. His aspiration is to become a pilot in the United States military.
Sussex County Technical School — Myka Geruntho
Myka Geruntho graduated as Valedictorian of the 2013 senior class of Sussex County Technical School, where she earned several college credits.
She was also enrolled in the Allied Health Program that the school offers. She assisted with the school Blood Drive and is OSHA certified.
Myka was awarded three varsity cross-country letters. She was named Cross-Country Honorable Mention, and Athlete of the Month.
Myka worked for three years in a private home with a gentleman who was a Parkinson's patient. She had many responsibilities in assisting with his care.
Her plans for the fall include acceptance into a one-year program at Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY. After the successful completion of that year, she will enter Cornell University as an Animal Science major. She then plans to attend Veterinary School where she will achieve her dream of one day becoming a veterinarian.
Vernon Township High School — David Grabowsky
David Grabowsky graduated from Vernon Township High School where he was selected for the Peer Leadership Program. He also represented the school at American Legion NJ Boys State Leadership Training in 2012.
He was a member of the Robotics Club, Key Club, SAT Team, yearbook staff, and received an honorable mention from Poetry Out Loud.
David was a 4-year member of the ski team, and placed first at the NJSRA JV Invitational competition 2012.
He is a student of karate and holds a junior black belt and other kata and sparring awards.
David has worked three summers as a counselor and lifeguard at the Blue Mountain Day Camp of the Sussex County YMCA in Stillwater.
David will attend the University of North Carolina in the fall to study Computer Engineering..
Hopatcong High School — Richard Lavery
Richard Lavery graduated from Hopatcong High School where he was a member of Math League, Science League, National Honor Society,and the Academic Team.
He was a member of the concert band, marching band, jazz band,select chorus, and drama club. He was a staff member of the school newspaper, and also played tennis.
Richard served as a peer mentor in the FIT program (Freshmen in Transition) discussing subjects such as homework, clubs, communication with teachers and counselors etc.
Richard had a special responsibility to his schoolmates. He was appointed by his principal to be the student body liaison with the Hopatcong Board of Education his junior and senior years. In this role, he created a petition for students interested in a new course, political theory.
Seventeen students enrolled in the class approved by the BOE. Also, the student body is now enjoying tables on a patio near the cafeteria as a result of Richard's suggestion, and the cooperation between the two groups.
He is active in the youth group of his church, coached fifth grade town soccer, and serves in the community through the National Honor Society.
Richard will attend Messiah University to study public policy and political science for three years. He will then enter the MS degree program at Carnegie Mellon University.
Newton High School — Karlee Liddy
Karlee Liddy is a 2013 graduate of Newton High School who served as vice president of National Honor Society, president of Spanish Club, PR officer of Red Cross, and as a member of the steering committee of Peer Leadership. She was a member of Math League, Spanish Honor Society, Science League, Student Council, Best Buds, and Pass It Along.
Karlee received an All County Honorable Mention for softball, and was a member of the school's basketball, soccer, track, and field hockey teams.
In the community she is active in her parish, volunteers at Bristol Glen Continuing Care Facility, and volunteers for ConKerr Cancer sewing colorful pillowcases that are distributed to children in local hospitals, and she is a counselor at Camp Auxilium.
This fall, Karlee will attend the University of South Carolina to study biology.
She plans to join the Naval ROTC program at USC, and also to study abroad to become fluent in Spanish. She looks to a future combining travel and working in the biomedical field.
Wallkill Valley Regional High School — Amanda Martino
Amanda Martino is a 2013 graduate of Wallkill Valley Regional High School where she served as president of both her freshman and senior classes.
She was the historian for the National Art Honors Society, a National Honor Society tutor, and Member of the Month in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club.
Amanda was a member of WVRHS booster club, project graduation committee, peer leadership, and three Select choirs. Amanda was also voted to be the Homecoming Queen.
She was a member of the spring track team, captain of the tennis team, and was vice president of the Athletic Leadership Council.
She received first place in the VFW Essay Contest, was a team member of the first place Academic Bowl, and was Student of the Month in the history and world language departments.
Amanda will attend Drexel University in Philadelphia in the fall. She will major in Environmental Engineering. She is especially interested in a career that focuses on freshwater irrigation and environmental architecture.
Veritas Christian Academy — Hope Miladinovich
Hope Miladinovich graduated as co-valedictorian of the 2013 senior class of Veritas Christian Academy. She was recognized as a Commended Scholar on the PSAT through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and received the Distinguished Christian High School Award from the Association of Christian Schools International for outstanding achievement in Academics and Fine Arts.
Hope has been a member of the County Honors Choir, and the All-State Women's Choir, and has accompanied several local school choirs on the piano. She also participated in each school spring musical at Veritas Christian Academy.
Hope was a four-letter member of varsity women's soccer, and captain her senior year. Her junior and senior years, she was a member of the league's All-Star team.
She has participated in four mission trips with members of her church, and plays once a month for the Sunday morning service.
She is part-owner with her father in a board game e-bay business based on historical events, economics,and other themes.
Hope will attend Montclair State University in the fall. Her major will be music education, with a possible minor in Mathematics.
Sparta High School — Steven Penna
Steven Penna is a 2013 graduate of Sparta High School where he represented his school as Supreme Court Chief Justice and Speaker of the House at the New Jersey American Legion Boys State Conference.
He was a member of National Honor Society, a P.D.P leader, and was First Chair French horn. He received the President's Award for Educational Excellence, and is the recipient of the local Ryan Kerr Memorial Scholarship.
He participated in Poetry Out Loud, and contributed to the school newspaper and "Beginnings" booklet. He has written poetry that was published by a licensed company.
Steven was recently selected as one of the two winners of the NJ Vietnam Veterans' Memorial foundation essay scholarship.
He holds medals as a spring and winter track team member, and was recognized as Gym Student of the year for 2011.
He has been making a difference in his community working with seniors, young children and the homeless.
Steven will be attending Fairfield University in the fall where he will major in political science.
Pope John XXIII Regional High School — Monica Wilson
Monica Wilson graduated from Pope John XXIII Regional High School as an AP Scholar and vice president of National Honor Society. She was captain of the Academic Team, High Scorer of the Math League, and a member of the Science League Team that scored highest in Sussex County in 2012. Monica received a Latin 1 Achievement Award, and a Theology III Excellence award.
She was president of Lifeguards (Pro-Life Club), and co-captain of the cross-country team. She also was a distance runner on the track team.
Monica has been a member of the Sussex County 4-H Teen Council since 8th grade, and was assistant manager grades 10,11,and 12. She has served her parish as an altar server, CCD aide, children's liturgy helper, Angel Tree helper, and as a member of the church choir.
Monica will attend Christendom College in Front Royal, VA in the fall.She will major in History with a minor in Mathematics and Latin. She would like to be a teacher of junior or senior high school students.