They’re going to Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Duke, Penn, Cornell and Georgia Tech. They are future pediatricians, architects, accountants, surgeons, aerospace engineers and software designers. They are the Top 10 seniors at Hamilton High West, Nottingham High School and Steinert High School—and they graduate this month.
The three Top 10s feature 24 girls and six boys, all with lofty career aspirations. They—and the rest of the Class of 2018—will say farewell to high school in late June. All three schools graduate June 22.
Hamilton West students will celebrate their graduation at the Trenton War Memorial at 7 p.m. The high school’s top 10 seniors are listed below.
Merna Abdel-Gleil
Rutgers University
Pediatrician (biology)
Class rank: 1 GPA: 4.62
Sports: Field hockey
Clubs: Student government, Peer Leadership, Hamilton NEWS, Key Club, Math Club, DECA, FBLA, National Honor Society, Technical Honor Society, Science Honor Society
Prior schooling: McGalliard Elementary, Grice Middle
Person who inspires me: “The two most inspiring people in my life are my parents. My dad and mom have driven me to become motivated, determined and hopefully successful in the future. If I can grow up to be half as incredible as they are then I will be content with myself. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it weren’t for the two of them right by my side.”
Favorite quote: Raise your words, not voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder. –Rumi
Patrycja Ptak
N.J. Institute of Technology
Architecture
Class rank: 2 GPA: 4.61
Sports: Soccer, basketball
Clubs: Key Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters tutoring, Math National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society
Prior schooling: Robinson Elementary, Grice Middle
Person who inspires me: “My parents. I wouldn’t be who I am without them. They are my biggest supporters and inspirations in life.”
Favorite quote: Just because my path is different doesn’t mean I’m lost.
Amanda May
University of Rhode Island
Business
Class rank: 3 GPA: 4.59
Sports: Cross country, basketball, spring track
Clubs: Key Club, National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, DECA, FBLA
Prior schooling: Yardville Heights Elementary, Grice Middle
Person who inspires me: “My mom because she always works hard for everything in life, and her love and support make me a better person.”
Favorite quote: It’s never too late. Never too late to start over, never too late to be happy. –Jane Fonda
LeeAnna Alpert
Rider University
Forensic Accounting
Class rank: 4 GPA: 4.53
Clubs: National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, Italian Honor Society, Science Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Menagerie, Key Club, debate team, Italian Club, Math Club
Prior schooling: Lalor Elementary, Crockett Middle
Person who inspires me: “My mom. She has faced every challenge that life has thrown at her with a big smile on her face and an optimistic attitude. The fact that she has never failed to brighten my day and the days of those around us is what inspires me to be the best person I can be.”
Favorite quote: One person’s craziness is another person’s reality. –Tim Burton
Amanda Collins
Drexel University
Neural engineering researcher
Class rank: 5 GPA: 4.52
Sports: Swimming, lacrosse
Clubs: National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, drama club, Peer Leadership
Prior schooling: Sunnybrae Elementary, Grice Middle
Person who inspires me: “My chemistry teacher, Mrs. Giampiccolo. Not only did she introduce me to my favorite subject, but she is one of my strongest support systems, in and out of school.”
Favorite quote: Say “yes,” and you’ll figure it out later. –Tina Fey
Amanda Monte
Rider University
Accounting/finance
Class rank: 6 GPA: 4.49
Clubs: Math National Honor Society, Italian National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, National Honor Society
Prior schooling: Robinson Elementary, Grice Middle
Person who inspires me: “My sister Meghan. She’s been through so much, but never gives up. She always pushes herself and she’s so successful. Now she’s going for her master’s degree and I couldn’t be more proud of her.”
Favorite quote: If I am worth anything later, I am worth something now, for wheat is wheat, eve if people think it is a grass in the beginning. –Vincent Van Gogh
Bruce Schroeder
Rider University
Accounting
Class rank: 7 GPA: 4.48
Clubs: Marching band (drumline captain), jazz band (section leader), Peer Leadership, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society
Prior schooling: Wilson Elementary, Grice Middle
Person who inspires me: “My best friend Danielle Gioscio because she can take on any challenge that life throws at her with a smile on her face.”
Favorite quote: Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts. –Winston Churchill
Safa Mahgoub
Rutgers University
Pharmacist
Class rank: 8 GPA: 4.4
Clubs: Student government (president), National Honor Society (secretary), Math National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Key Club, drama club (tech crew), Big Brothers Big Sisters mentor
Prior schooling: Greenwood Elementary (K-4), Wilson Elementary (5), Grice Middle
Favorite quote: Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. –Tim Notke
Jayda Guler
Mercer County Community College
Speech pathologist
Class rank: 9 GPA: 4.4
Sports: Soccer, field hockey
Clubs: Key Club, student government, Make The World A Better Place
Prior schooling: McGalliard Elementary, Crockett Middle
Person who inspires me: “My mom because she is always strong in her beliefs, and she doesn’t let others’ opinions affect her.”
Favorite quote: Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice. –Wayne Dyer
Julia Martine
Fordham University
Finance
Class rank: 10 GPA: 4.4
Intercolliegate sports: Softball
Sports: Soccer, basketball, softball
Clubs: Unified club, National Honor Society, Latin National Honor Society, Art National Honor Society, DECA
Prior schooling: Robinson Elementary, Grice Middle
Person who inspires me: “My mom is the most inspirational person in my life because of her relentless determination and strength. I have witness her successfully overcome obstacles most people would run away from. She has taught me how to believe in myself and my abilities and to never give up.”
Favorite quote: Be loyal to your future, not your past.
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