SPFHS Top Students Honored By Board of Education

Addressing a large crowd of students and families Monday night, Scotch Plains-Fanwood Superintendent Margaret Hayes said that honoring students is one of the most rewarding parts of her job.

"This is the best night of the year for a superintendent," Hayes said. "There's nothing we can't do if we perservere with our goals. Thus far, you've made phenomenal decisions, and we couldn't be more proud of you."

Hayes was speaking to the accomplishments of the high school's students over the past year, which were being recognized that night by the Board of Education. Nearly a 100 students received special resolutions from the board for their hard work and success in the arts, athletics and academics.

"I was looking at tonight's program, and I was struck by the breadth of your talents," Board of Education President Norman Whitehouse told the students. "I use the word talent to describe what you've shown. But it goes much beyond that. It's been your dedication to your talent that's set you apart."

All of the seniors honored were going on to colleges and universities of note, including Columbia, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon and Georgetown. Many also received scholarships for their accomplishments.

Several underclassmen were recognized as well.

Among them was Sophomore Anya Frolova, who was one of two New Jersey finalists in the "Doodle 4 Google" contest. Frolova submitted a sketch titled "Hello" to the Internet company as a potential logo for their website. Her entry can be viewed here.

SPFHS Principal David Heisey noted that the students this year were impressive on all fronts. One example in particular, he said, was the fact that several of the school's students are state officers in DECA and the FBLA, both business organizations.

"I think this is the first time the school's had state officers in both," Heisey said.

All of the honorees are listed below:

National Council of Teachers of English Award: Michelle Conway

Journalism Award: Martin Sweeney

Culmen Awards: Linda Timko, Elizabeth Chen, Allison Lasher

Union County School Board's Student Recognition: Casandra Flores

Google Award: Anya Frolova

DECA: Kapri Kreps, Melissa Goldberg, Morgan Puleo

FBLA: Sam Bhakuni

Scholar Athletes: Brittney Veek (NJSIAA Scholar Athlete), Kim Shelus and Mike Ferrara (Union County Scholar Athletes), Kelly Cianciotta and Kevin Maroney (Watchung Conference Scholar Athletes)

Governor's School: Jeffrey Kranz and Aleksandra Szczuka

Scholar Musicians: Vangelis Dimopoulos, All State Band Orchestra, Moonglowers

Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars: Jennie Altman, Anjli Bansal, Michelle Conway, Michelle DeSantis, Naomi Goldstein, William Johnston, Emily Katz, Kapri Kreps, Karthik Kumar, Allison Lasher, Daniel Lubranski, Jordan Metsky, Kathryn Moynihan, Petros Petridis, Kathryn Powell, Christine Ruggieri, Martin Sweeney, Linda Timko, Brittney Veek, Ulysses Velasques, Eric Williams

National Merit Commended Students: Michelle Conway, Gerardo Castro, Allison Killeen, Karthik Kumar, Roger Liu, Anne Marie Noronha, Petros Petridis, Martin Sweeney, James Walsh

National Merit Finalist: Austin Pfundheller

National Hispanic Recognition: Alison Acevedo, Gerardo Castro

Salutatorian: Michelle Conway

Valedictorian: Karthik Kumar