Carla John, College of New Jersey. Nurse.Class rank: 1 GPA: 4.52. Sports: Swimming, spring track. Clubs: Color Guard, Math Club, mock trial. Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was my AP Chemistry class because I love learning high level chemistry from a chemist.”Memorable quote: I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. –William Penn
Rhonda Abouelela, Rutgers University (pharmacy). Class rank: 2 GPA: 4.48. Sports: Swimming, track and field. Clubs: Color Guard, French Club, Key Club, Math Club. Favorite memory: “My favorite memory from my schooling is spending four days in Disney World with the NHS Marching Unit and my best friends.” Memorable quote: If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. –Henry David Thoreau
Matthew Crossey, Mercer County Community College (computer science). Class rank: 3 GPA: 4.39. Clubs: Debate team, Caelestis, Key Club, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Italian Club. Favorite memory: “My favorite memory from my schooling is when I received a 5 on my AP English Language and Composition exam. I have many wonderful experiences, but my exam performance holds a deeper meaning to me. The score was a tangible result of all my dedication to the class I loved. Additionally, because I struggle with a limiting physical condition, I was thrilled I could endure two hours straight of writing and still perform satisfactorily.” Memorable quote: Speak softly, and carry a big stick.
Armonie Pierre-Jacques, College of New Jersey (biology). Healthcare. Class rank: 4 GPA: 4.38. Sports: Soccer, track and field. Clubs: School play, Bible Study Club, Peer Leadership, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Princeton University Preparatory Program. Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was when I broke my own personal record in girls’ track during my sophomore year. I ended up coming in first place in the 800-meter run during that meet.” Memorable quote: Believe me, the reward is not so great without the struggle. –Wilma Rudolph
Sarah Pierre-Jacques, College of New Jersey (biology). Pediatrician. Class rank: 4 GPA: 4.38. Sports: Field hockey (JV co-captain), track. Clubs: Princeton University Preparatory Program, Bible Study Club, Peer Leadership, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, school play. Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was being a part of the cast for Nottingham’s production of ‘Hairspray.’ I met a lot of cool people, and had a great time on the nights of the show.” Memorable quote: Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. –Joshua J. Marine
Samantha Wackerman, Northwestern University. Marketing/advertising. Class rank: 6 GPA: 4.38.Sports: Swimming. Clubs: Peer Leadership, DECA (vice president), Caelestis literary magazine (editor-in-chief), National Honor Society, World Languages Honor Society, National Art Honor Society. Favorite memory: “Creating my studio art portfolio was one of the best parts of my high school career. I loved making 24 projects alongside some of my best friends.” Memorable quote: Some pursue happiness, others create it. –Ralph Waldo Emerson
Kira Williams, Seton Hall University. Accountant. Class rank: 7 GPA: 4.3. Sports: Track (statistician). Clubs: DECA, orchestra, National Honor Society. Favorite memory: “My prom experience is my most memorable event from my schooling. Prom was fun, but post-prom and spending the weekend at Seaside topped off the fun. I got to spend it with my close friends and boyfriend. It really made me appreciate my friends and the time we have together before graduation.” Memorable quote: Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life. –Eleanor Roosevelt
Christian DeMeo, Towson University (undecided). Class rank: 8 GPA: 4.3. Sports: Football. Clubs: School play, National Honor Society, World Language Honor Society, Peer Leadership. Favorite memory: “I cannot just pick one memory because they are all great in their own way. The good, the bad and everything in between made me who I am today, and I am thankful to have met so many great people who have made my K-12 years the best.” Memorable quote: Everything happens for a reason.
Brian Munnelly, Mercer County Community College. History teacher. Class rank: 9 GPA: 4.2. Sports: Cross country. Clubs: Debate team, Spanish National Honor Society. Favorite memory: “Finding out I was in the top 10 of my class is the most surprising and memorable moment of all my schooling. I never knew how my GPA compared to other students. One day in orchestra class, a teacher walked in, handing envelopes to two of my classmates. I received one, and opened it to see I had been invited to a top 10 dinner to reward those students for their achievements. This was the first time I heard I was in the top 10. The news is still hard to believe.” Memorable quote: Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men. –John F. Kennedy
Riley Rue, Mercer County Community College. High school English teacher. Class rank: 10 GPA: 4.19. Clubs: Orchestra. Favorite memory: “I have always been a shy and awkward kid. My physical appearance differs tremendously from that of a stereotypical ‘smart kid’ and because of that, my abilities were always doubted. Teachers would see this quiet girl sulk into class, hiding beneath florescent hair and black eye make-up, and immediately think, ‘Well, here’s another student who isn’t going to try.’ I could see this in their eyes upon my entering class the first time. Despite this, I never failed to prove their judgments wrong. My favorite memory will not be some class trip, it will be my graduation day, when I obtain my diploma as No. 10 in my senior class. At that time, I will prove that I’ve made it. I did well in school for myself, of course, but also to prove that a child’s outer appearance has nothing to do with their drive and intelligence, and making a difference in that realm means the world to me on so many levels. My favorite memory will be graduating, hopefully creating a new path for those who value self-expression along with education.” Memorable quote: The duty of youth is to challenge corruption. –Kurt Cobain
