They aspire to work in national security, military research, tax law and medicine.
They are headed for institutions like Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and Virginia Tech. They have earned entry onto those campuses by being leaders in and out of the classroom, by being a talented musician, an advocate for the environment, a robotics whiz or a skilled athlete.
They are the Top 10 seniors in Hamilton Township’s three public high schools, and, if all goes to schedule, they will graduate from the Hamilton Township School District June 23.
Each student in the Top 10 finished with a grade-point average higher than 4.0. Adding in their commitments as peer leaders, student government officers, sports team captains and editors of newspapers heightens their academic achievements.
Some of the students plan to continue their extracurricular activities in college. And seven of them will go on to compete in intercollegiate athletics.
There are 17 girls and 13 boys in the Top 10s.
All three graduations are scheduled for June 23. Steinert High School’s Class of 2014 will graduate at 3 p.m. at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton. Nottingham High follows at the arena, with a 7 p.m. ceremony. Hamilton High School West will hold its graduation 7 p.m. at the Trenton War Memorial.
Maxwell Wackerman
Rutgers University (mechanical engineering)
Aerospace engineer
Class rank: 1
GPA: 4.52
Clubs: Marching unit (drum major), National Honor Society, jazz band, Key Club
Sports: Swimming (captain)
Favorite memory: “My marching unit’s trip to Disney World during my sophomore year. I was able to spend nearly a week in the parks with some of my greatest friends from high school. Disney is incredibly fun in itself, and experiencing its attractions with 50 of my closest friends made it all the more memorable.”
Memorable quote: The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
Lian King
Temple University
Actuary
Class rank: 2
GPA: 4.51
Clubs: Stage crew (captain), National Honor Society, math club, Key Club, German club, Peer Leadership
Sports: Cross country
Favorite memory: “The Nottingham High production of Hairspray.”
Memorable quote: Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. –Albert Einstein
Nicholas DeMarie
University of Pennsylvania
Lawyer/politician
Class rank: 3
GPA: 4.48
Clubs: Italian club (president), Key Club (president), senior class president, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, debate team (captain), mock trial team
Sports:Football (captain), wrestling
Intercollegiate Sports: Sprint football
Favorite memory: “Winning the 2012 CNJ Group III football championship my junior year. Starting as a fullback on the team, I was fortunate to be a part of history-making team that taught me the true meaning of being a part of the Northstar family. This experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life and look back upon with fondness.”
Memorable quote: Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future. –John F. Kennedy
Sydney Bentz
Rider University (biochemistry)
Forensic scientist
Class rank: 4
GPA: 4.43
Clubs: Key Club, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National World Language Honor Society, school play
Sports: Cheerleading, lacrosse
Favorite memory: “Many of my most cherished memories come from the extracurricular activities I was involved in, from helping the homeless in Key Club to playing lacrosse to watching our boys compete for Mr. Northstar. High school is filled with so many great memories it is difficult to choose just one. My high school years helped shape me into the person I am today.”
Memorable quote: We tend to forget that happiness doesn’t come as a result of getting something we don’t have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. –Frederick Keonig
Caelle Rousseau
Amherst College (molecular biology)
International service worker
Class rank: 5
Clubs: Peer Leadership, mock trial, literary magazine (senior editor), National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society
Sports: Track
Favorite memory: “My favorite memories in high school are the memories that I have shared with my peers from the Princeton University Preparatory Program and attending the Ron Brown Scholarship Program’s selection weekend.”
Memorable quote: The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. ––Amelia Earhart
Christina Conte
St. Joseph’s University
Actuary
Class rank: 6
GPA: 4.36
Clubs: Math club, Key Club, spring musical
Sports: Cheerleading
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory of high school is winning the state championship in football, as well as defending our title as CVC small division championship in cheerleading.”
Memorable quote: In any case, you mustn’t confuse a single failure with a final defeat. –F. Scott Fitzgerald
Laetitia Eugene
Stony Brook University (biology)
Neurologist
Class rank: 7
GPA: 4.32
Clubs: French club, math club, science club
Sports: Lacrosse
Favorite memory: “My favorite high school memory would be my school trip to Washington, D.C. with my GALRE class. We had the opportunity to visit many historical monuments, which are the physical reminder of our history. Those memories will forever be embedded in my life for they showed me the many obstacles our ancestors and Founding Fathers had to overcome in order for us today to be free under the law.”
Memorable quote: Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. –Joshua J. Marine
Richard Knappenberger
Rutgers University (biochemistry)
Research scientist
Class rank: 8
GPA: 4.32
Clubs: National Honor Society, Key Club, Peer Leadership, World Language Honor Society
Sports: Baseball
Favorite memory: “My last opening day for baseball. I had a no-hitter going into the 7th inning, and lost it with two outs. This is my favorite memory because I came so near to something improbable, and was able to do it with my teammates, who I have grown close to over the four years of high school. I was so close to the no-hitter, but I’ll take the one-hitter and the win on opening day.”
Memorable quote: Remember that obstacles in the path are not obstacles; they are the path.
Savanna SanFilippo
Rutgers University (pharmacy)
Pharmacist
Class rank: 9
GPA: 4.31
Clubs: DECA (president), Key Club, National Honor Society, National World Languages Honor Society, musical costume crew (captain), Peer Leadership
Sports: Cheerleading, Lacrosse (team manager)
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory of high school is performing the only flawless routine at the CVC Cheerleading competition in my senior year. There was no better way for me to say goodbye to my high school team than with the best possible performance as my last one. We all became family to each other and it showed in our performance. I will always hold a special place in my heart for my team, and I will never forget our last competition together.”
Memorable quote: Don’t let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game. –A Cinderella Story
Jennifer Hallam
Monmouth University (business)
Class rank: 10
GPA: 4.31
Clubs: Italian club, literary magazine, mock trial, student athletic trainer, Peer Leadership, Key Club, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society
Sports: Field hockey, softball
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was playing sports and becoming part of a family that was tight knit and shared an incredible bond. Also, meeting so many amazing friends off the field, as well.”
Memorable quote: Don’t pray for an easy life; pray for the strength to endure a difficult one.
Nottingham High School Top 10 Seniors 2014. Back: Nick DeMarie, Jennifer Hallam, Laetitia Eugene, Maxwell Wackerman, Richard Knappenberger and Christina Conte. Front: Lian King, Sydney Bentz, Savanna SanFilippo and Caelle Rousseau.,
DeMarie,
Conte,
SanFilippo,
