Presidential Scholars
The U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, established in 1964 to recognize and honor some of the nation’s most distinguished graduating seniors, usually recognizes up to 141 students on the basis of their academic and artistic success, leadership, and involvement in school and the community.
Candidates from WW-P included High School South seniors Mohammed K. Jaffer, Sally Jiao, David W. Yin, Celena J. Chen, Varsha Prem, Isidora Filipovic, Jeffrey Kuan, Pranay Nadella, Arnav Sood, Michael J. Byrnes, and Rohan R. Patlolla. High School North seniors included Pratyush Trivedi, Matthew S. Zang, Brian K. Chan, Aayush Sharma, and Sagar Tikoo.
Semifinalists included High School South students Celena J. Chen, Pranay Nadella, and Michael J. Byrnes.
Chen was selected as a scholar. She founded “Jumpstart into Bio!” at Plainsboro’s Recreation Center focused on interesting elementary school students in biology. She is also chair of the Waksman Club, a chapter of a molecular biology program through Rutgers University. She attended New Jersey’s Governor’s School of the Sciences last summer. Chen, secretary of her class, is also a member of the National Honor Society and South’s Academic Decathlon team. She is the culture editor of the school’s newspaper.
Chen chose Amanda Duchossois, a teacher at High School South, as her most influential teacher, and she will receive a letter from the Secretary of Education. Chen will major in life sciences at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School.
Mehta Co-Authors Paper on Anemia
Ericka Mehta, a junior at High School North, participated in a study with Drexel University to assess the epidemiological features of children who were most vulnerable to the adverse neurocognitive effect of iron deficiency and anemia in a New Brunswick well-child clinic.
Mehta is a co-author of a paper on that topic in the spring issue of Drexel’s Medical Journal.
She was also involved in a summer research program at Saint Peter’s University Hospital and has traveled to Africa with an autism awareness group to help construct a school for students with special needs.
Community Service
Students at High Schools North and South came together in a fundraising effort for the Cherry Tree Club. Students presented Wendy Schutzer, director of the pre-school for homeless children, with a check for $2,000.
Some of the students include Katrina Luo, Ohyoon Kwon, Samanrithe Medam, Yanjie Qiu, Katarina Karris-Flores, Emily Calman, Dominique Joyner, and Jonathan Snyder. High School South teachers Nathan Leventhal and Erik Daniels advise the students, who are members of the schools’ Cherry Tree Clubs.
On Their Toes
Eleven group teams with more than 80 dancers from the Dance Corner competed in three age categories in tap, jazz, lyrical, ballet, hip hop, and musical theater. Dancers from the Dance Corner of West Windsor completed their competition season by taking home multiple top score awards at the Starbound National Talent Competition in East Brunswick.
Jeanette Smith earned an elite gold award, the highest award given, for her solo performances. Smith, 11, placed sixth among pre-teen soloists with the jazz routine “Wash That Man.” She was awarded a scholarship to the summer New York Dance Experience workshop to attend the national finals of Starbound in Atlantic City.
Smith and Carly Kowalski of Plainsboro joined forces with Julie Patella of Cranbury for “Gone, a lyrical trio that scored elite gold and placed second among all duets and trios in the junior age division. The duet team of Kowalski and Lindsay Rubin placed third with an elite gold award for “Why Don’t You Do Right.”
The ballet trio of Shannon Smith and Kelly McElroy of West Windsor joined with Patella for “Scottish Reel from La Sylphide,” which also scored elite gold and came in sixth place.
Brossman Awarded for Awareness
Euna Kwon Brossman of Plainsboro received an award from the Governor’s Council on Mental Health Stigma. As the writer of WW-P’s “Suburban Mom” column she has often focused on the stigma suffered by people struggling with mental illness.
Twelve members of the media were awarded for their efforts to raise awareness about mental illness and dispel the myths surrounding it. The awards honor news stories, feature coverage, and public service programming that is committed to promoting respect and support for people who live with mental illness.
“The media plays a critical role in forming public perception about mental illness, and the recipients of these awards today have worked to make sure that perception is fair and does not perpetuate any negative stigma,” said Jennifer Velez, commissioner of the Department of Human Services, which oversees the council.
WW’s Terebey Honored by ERA
John Terebey Jr. of West Windsor was honored at the International Business Conference in Los Angeles, California, in March. As owner of ERA Properties Unlimited in Princeton, he was awarded a Leaders’ Circle designation by ERA Franchise Systems LLC, a global franchise leader in the residential real estate industry.
“An unparalleled commitment to service has clearly contributed to John’s success and I am pleased to congratulate him on this impressive accomplishment,” said Charlie Young, president and CEO of ERA Franchise Systems LLC. “Fewer than 10 percent of our sales professionals earn this designation, making John not only a role model for the company, but for the entire industry as well. Indeed, he serves as an exemplary ambassador for the brand.”
In College
Oklahoma State University Center for Veterinary Health Sciences: Eurie Han of West Windsor received a Salsbury Scholarship in recognition of her high academic achievement and leadership. A graduate of High School North, she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from Case Western Reserve University.
A member of the class of 2015, she is in her final year of veterinary college. She will spend the year learning alongside clinical faculty members in the Veterinary Medical Hospital. The 17 three-week rotations cover small, large, and exotic animals, and specialties such as anesthesiology, theriogenology (reproduction), and ophthalmology.
“My plan is to do small animal emergency and critical care, and I would definitely like to move back to the east coast after graduation,” says Han. She is the daughter of Jin and Kyoung Han of West Windsor.
Arcadia University: Sara Lemley of West Windsor was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
Rutgers University: Sara Duffy, a 2012 graduate of High School North, received an academic excellence award for being in the top 10 percent of the sophomore class. She is a psychology major minoring in women and gender studies.
Binghamton University: Students on the dean’s list include John Kalinowski of West Windsor and Anushka Prabhu of Plainsboro.
University of Dallas: Clarissa Jugo of West Windsor directed “Am I Blue” by Beth Henley. A drama major, she designed, staged, and directed student actors.
Gettysburg College: Stephanie Kuech of Plainsboro earned the dean’s commendation. She is a psychology major.
University of the Sciences: Students inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society include Plainsboro residents Rasagnya Kota, a doctor of pharmacy student; and Nora Mohamed Osman, a doctor of physical therapy student.
Villanova University: Brandon Chu of West Windsor was initiated into Phi Kappa Phi honor society.
Private School
Phillips Exeter Academy: Nikhil Raman, grade 12, of Plainsboro earned highest honors for the winter term.
WW Musicians Go to Carnegie Hall
Several students at Westminster Conservatory are headed to Carnegie Hall to perform on Sunday, June 8, at 11 a.m. They are students of Galina Prilutskaya. The quintet performs classical music, tangos, and more.
The West Windsor musicians include Andreia Cadar, a viola soloist for seven years and a student at High School North; and Phoebe Wang, a cello player for seven years and a student at Community Middle School. This is the group’s third performance at Carnegie Hall.
