The top 10 graduating seniors in the Hamilton High West Class of 2022 shared their favorite memories and future plans with Community News.
Jenny Lin
Georgia Institute of Technology | Computer Science
Rank: 1 GPA: 4.9656. Career plans: Network security architect/software architect
Clubs: Junior Achievement of New Jersey, HHW Garden Project, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, Spanish National Honor Society, HEY (Hamilton Environmental Youth) Club, National Technical Honor Society, Eco Mentoring, Jazz Ensemble, Spanish Club (treasurer)
Varsity sports: Tennis.
Schools: Midtown Community Elementary School, Crockett.
A teacher who inspired you: Every one of my teachers has encouraged and witnessed my growth, and thus all inspired me in one way or another. However, one particular teacher that stood out was Mr. Funari. As my history teacher for two years, his passion for the subject made me realize that history was painted in vivid and brilliant colors and perception differs from person to person. He is very modest, wise, and understanding. He is a teacher who never fails to challenge his student while simultaneously delivering care and attention. He is a mentor, a friend, and definitely someone that I aspire to be.
Favorite memory: Peer Leadership training. There, I met people with the similar interest of progressing into leaders and bonded with my fellow peers.
Nadeen Abdel-Gleil
Rutgers University | Chemical Engineering
Rank: 2 GPA: 4.9405. Career plans: Pharmaceutical production.
Clubs: Senior Class president, National Honor Society (secretary), NTHS, Peer Leadership, Unified Student Government.
Varsity sports played: soccer, winter track, spring track
Schools: McGalliard, Grice
A teacher who inspired you: My track and field coach, Coach Grady, has inspired me throughout my high school career. Her persistence in making the team and I stronger and better throughout the seasons will inspire me to do great beyond high school.
Favorite memory: My favorite memory from Hamilton High School West would be my sophomore year spirit week, and seeing all grades come together during the wing bowl.
Noran Mohamed
Mario School of Pharmacy | Doctor of Pharmacy
Rank: 3 GPA: 4.934. Career plans: Clinical pharmacist.
Clubs: National Honor Society (president), Student Government (senior class vice president), National Math Honor Society, National Science Honor Society, National German Honor Society, and Peer Leadership.
Varsity sports: field hockey (stats), boys basketball (stats).
Schools: McGalliard, Grice
A teacher who inspired you: Ms. Rizzo was a phenomenal and influential teacher throughout my senior year. Not only did she ensure all of her students understood the matter taught in class, but she also amused her students by engaging in conversation whenever possible. Her class was always a welcoming environment as she constantly motivated me to strive for excellence, something I am grateful to have experienced.
Favorite memory: Peer Leadership training my junior year. During training I was able to interact with new people, all while doing fun activities that prepared us to welcome future freshmen. We developed new connections and spirit, something that allowed us to become the best leaders possible.
Gabriel Oliver
University of Toronto | Biochemistry/Neuroscience
Rank: 4 GPA: 4.9132. Career plans: Neuroscientist/biochemist.
Clubs: National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Marching Band (drum major for junior and senior year), Percussion Ensemble, Peer Leadership, Bring Change to Mind, and Key Club.
Schools: Yardville Heights, Grice
A teacher who inspired you: Mrs. Giampiccolo. During this year, I had the pleasure of taking AP Chemistry which is my favorite AP curriculum I took throughout high school. Throughout each class, she made learning chemistry fun and engaging, helping me fall in love with the subject, and looking forward to learning more at university. Mrs. Giampiccolo also helped me decide to pursue a degree in biochemistry by inspiring me through her passion for biomolecules, specifically proteins.
Favorite memory: Having the honor to conduct one of Mr. Wheeler’s songs at the spring symphonic band concert this year. I truly enjoyed learning about the difference between conducting for a marching band and a concert band.
Kehinde Adeaga
University of Pennsylvania | Neuroscience
Rank: 5 GPA: 4.8819. Career plans: Neuropsychologist.
Clubs: Bring Change to Mind (secretary), Peer Leadership, Key Club
Varsity sports: Field hockey, lacrosse.
Schools: George E. Wilson
A teacher who inspired you: My Italian teacher, Signora Scotto, inspired me to try to be more confident in myself and my abilities. Whenever I spoke Italian in her class, I struggled some because I was always thinking too much about what to say and how to say it. Signora always encouraged me to get out of my own head and just let the words flow out of my mouth, and not think too much on how to get my thoughts out perfectly because she knew I was capable of doing so.
Favorite memory of school: Doing the Halloween/Fall door decorating contest for Spirit Week with the Italian National Honor Society.
Karlvin Jeanty
University of Chicago | Mathematics and Chemistry
Rank: 6 GPA: 4.8778.
Clubs: HEY Club (vice president), Think Tank (president), Book Club, National Honors Society, Peer Leadership, National Technical Honor Society, Math Club, National Math Honors Society (president), Peer Leadership, Junior Achievement Volunteer, Cascade, French Club, Debate and Public Speaking, Science League, National Science Honors Society.
Varsity sports: Soccer, tennis.
Schools: Lalor, Crockett
A teacher who inspired you: Two teachers who inspired me would be my 6th and 8th grade English teacher Ms.Conti, and my tenth and 11th grade chemistry teacher Mrs. Giampiccolo. What I remember the most from my time in Ms.Conti’s class is her always looking out for me, but also holding me accountable. This really inspired me to be a better student and put more effort into what I wanted to accomplish. Mrs. Gimapiccolo’s passion for chemistry and the way she taught also inspired me to become a chemistry major.
Favorite memory: My favorite memory of school would be the after school activities. Whether it was clubs or sports, hanging out with the people I knew and the advisors would often brighten up a maybe sullen day.
Angie Ruiz
Stevens Institute of Technology | Chemical Biology
Rank: 7 GPA: 4.85. Career plans: Forensic scientist.
Clubs: Drama Club, HEY Club, Think Tank, Garden Project, Bring Change to Mind Club (social media officer), National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society, Peer Leadership, Key Club, Hamilton West Book Club, Student Government.
Schools: Parkway Elementary School, Grice
A teacher who inspired you: Signora Scotto D’Abbusco; she not only reignited my desire to learn Italian, but also to continue my education in Stevens. Every day in her class was a new life lesson learned, and her classroom was a haven for knowledge in both language and culture. She is one of my biggest supporters and I appreciate her hard work in keeping us engaged and being patient with our unfamiliarities in the subject. I truly am thankful for her advice for the past two years.
Favorite memory: Performing my final musical with Hamilton High West, Pippin. I have been with the drama club for the past four years now, and can confidently say that each show was our school’s best. I would also like to thank everyone who participated in the show this year, as performing on stage was definitely the highlight of my high school career.
Michael Dean
The College of New Jersey | Rank: 8 GPA: 4.8311
Schools: Robinson, Grice
A teacher who inspired you: Mr. Pienciak inspired me by showing care for his students and being a nice teacher.
Favorite memory: I beat one of my teachers in a quizlet live.
Bitta Alborzfard
Bryn Mawr College | History/Latin American Studies
Rank: 9 GPA: 4.8123. Career plans: Museum Curator.
Clubs: Key Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Think Tank.
Schools: Yardville Heights, Grice
A teacher who inspired you: Mr. Funari inspired me to pursue a career in history because of his passion for truly teaching and encouraging his students to be the best versions of themselves they can be. He was and still is my favorite high school teacher.
Favorite memory: My favorite memory of school is hanging out and goofing off with all my friends in class, lunch, or school-related activities/events.
Samantha Killian
Saint Joseph’s University | Psychology and Criminal Justice
Rank: 10 GPA: 4.8085. Career plans: Correctional counselor.
Varsity sports: Field hockey, cheerleading, track
Schools: Yardville Heights, Grice
A teacher who inspired you: Mr. Patterson has been a constant inspiration to me through his endless positivity and his unwavering support.
Favorite memory: The time I have been able to spend with my best friends, Cassie Stone and Maddie Harrison.
Hamilton High School West’s Top 10 graduating seniors of 2022. Front row: Samantha Killian, Noran Hamdi Mohamed, Nadeen Abdel Gleil, Kehinde Adeaga, Bitta Alborzfard, Jenny Lin. Back Row: Michael Dean, Karlvin Jeanty, Gabriel Oliver, Angie Ruiz. (Photo by Laura Geltch.),
