#b#In College#/b#
American University: Kevin Dwyer, 18, of West Windsor, is on a four-year Army ROTC scholarship, worth roughly $200,000. The scholarship covers full tuition, a monthly stipend, and an annual book allowance. Dwyer, who graduated from High School North, was a member of the fencing and football teams for all four years. Upon graduation, he will be commissioned as an officer.
#b#National Merit#/b#
Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart: Christina Chun of West Windsor is a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Program and will have the opportunity to compete for one of 8,300 National Merit Scholarships in the spring. The semifinalist pool of 16,000 represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.
#b#Awards and Honors#/b#
Michael Hornsby of West Windsor was recently honored by his employer, PSE&G, for his volunteer efforts. A product manager of renewable energy for PSE&G, Hornsby has been a member of the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company for five years. He received a “Recognizing Excellence in Volunteerism” award and the fire company received a $1,000 grant.
“Volunteer firefighting represents a significant commitment to the community,” said Hornsby, who graduated in the top of his class during firefighter training at the Dempster Fire School. He has taken many classes in addition to his annual mandatory training. Hornsby is also an adjunct professor at NJIT and chair of the West Windsor Township Environmental Commission.
“Mike has consistently been a top 10 responder each year since he became a member, and can always be counted on to participate in events and help out whenever needed,” said Anthony Mangone, president of the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.
For information about the fire company, to volunteer, or support its efforts visit www.pjfd.com.
Jinny Baeckler, retired director of the Plainsboro Library, received a certificate of appreciation from the Libraries of Middlesex County. Baeckler worked at the library for 26 years before retiring in May. The library, a one-room organization when she began, moved to a larger, and then a much larger facility under her guidance.
#b#On Stage#/b#
Stuart Country Day School of the Sacred Heart: The eighth grade cast of the musical, “Seussical Jr.,” featured West Windsor residents Julia Weingaertner, Kate Walsh, and Erin Boateng. The musical based on Dr. Seuss characters was seen on stage on Thursday, November 17.
#b#In the Schools#/b#
Lori Hussong, a teacher of physical education at High School North, was honored for her lifetime achievements in Mercer County athletics and her coaching career.
A graduate of the College of New Jersey, she played four years of varsity field hockey, and her team won two NCAA championships. She was named first team All America and all decade.
In her 13-year career as the head field hockey coach in WW-P, her teams won nine Colonial Valley Conference championships, a Mercer County Championship, and three consecutive Central Jersey Group IV sectional championships. Hussong was named Mercer County coach of the year several times. Her final coaching record for WW-P stands at 192-57-11.
Hussong, also the varsity field hockey coach at Rider University, has a lifetime record at Division I Rider of 167-70. Rider has won conference championships in 9 of her 12 seasons and made four appearances at the NCAA tournament. Hussong was named Northeast Conference Coach of the Year in 2003, 2005, and 2009. This year Rider’s team is 17-1 (7-0 in the Northeast Conference) and is the top scoring team in the nation.
Her husband, Dan Hussong, is a teacher at High School South.
#b#On Their Toes#/b#
Plainsboro Rotary Club announced the winning dance groups from its recent competition. The event was held October 15 at High School South to raise funds for the international Jaipur artificial limb project.
Nupur School Dance based in Plainsboro received first prize in the junior category. Choreographers are Madhavi and Pratik Devasthale. Dancer included Richa Mandrekar, Sanam Thakur, Anisha Barde, Tanvi Pathak, Megan Mohnot, Sana Sathaye, Rhea Kak, Shreya Molugu, Sanjana Thaper, Riya Kohli, Tanya Grover, Sanjana Behare, and Anisha Chandwani.
The Yogeshwari Dance Academy, based in West Windsor, received second place in the senior category.
