High School South 2011 Hall of Honor recipients have been announced. “The Hall of Honor gives us an opportunity to recognize those individuals who, through their accomplishments and service, have made High School South an outstanding high school,” says Roseann Bonino, principal at High School South. The induction ceremony and dinner will be held on Saturday, November 5, at High School South’s Commons I. There will be a reception hour from 5 to 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40.
The Hall of Honor pays tribute to individuals in four categories.
#b#The Inspiration Award#/b#
Denise Mengani began her journey through WW-P schools as a language arts and broadcasting teacher in 1978 and was instrumental in developing the school’s radio station 107.9 FM. In 1993, Mengani moved from the classroom to administration as assistant principal at Wicoff School and a supervisor of Special Education K-5. She then became the principal at Wicoff and is now the principal at Maurice Hawk School.
#b#The School Service Award#/b#
David Christensen was the director of vocal activities for 25 years at South, varsity golf coach, an assistant football coach, and a vocal director for the high school musicals. Under his direction, the choir won numerous national choral competitions and was chosen as one of four American choirs to participate in the National Champion Choirs in Vienna, Austria. His final concert was held at Carnegie Hall with 350 students and more than 100 alumni. As golf coach, his teams were the CVC champs 17 times, won the Group IV State Championship three times, and won the Tournament of Champions once.
Patricia Jones was an administrative professional in the nurse’s office and the guidance department from 1980 to 2005. In the nurse’s office, she was the first person a student would meet when they walked in the door. As guidance secretary, she was always there for the students and counselors.
#b#The Alumni Achiever Award#/b#
Donald Hutchinson, Class of 1966, has been a physical education and health teacher and a coach at South since 1980. As a student athlete he played football, basketball, and baseball. He coaches freshmen football, girl’s freshmen basketball, and varsity baseball. He has served as a mentor and role model for student athletes and sets an example of hard work, responsibility, and leadership both in the classroom and on the playing field.
Michael Nugent, Class of 1998, is a professional soccer player. A four-year varsity player in high school, he is the career goals record holder. After high school, he played soccer at Princeton University, where he received many honors including the 2001 Ivy League Player of the Year and a Division I All American. After college, he was drafted by the Chicago Fire in major league soccer and then played for the New York Metrostars. Due to injuries, he retired from professional soccer and works for Cantor Fitzgerald in New York City.
#b#The Student Achiever Award#/b#
Alisha Levine, Class of 2003, was vice president of the Student Council, editor-in-chief of the yearbook, student representative to the Board of Education, peer leader, and coordinator of Unity Day. During her time on Student Council, she was instrumental in convincing the School Board to implement off-campus lunch for seniors. A graduate of Dartmouth College, she is attending Harvard Business School.
Michael Walker, Class of 1986, was a three sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. In football, he was first team all-area, all county, and all CVC. During the 1984 and 1985 season, he was the only Mercer County quarterback to pass for over 1,000 yards. He was a three year starter and varsity letter recipient in basketball. He also received first team all-area, all county, and all CVC honors in baseball and was awarded a baseball scholarship to Rider University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He earned his MBA from Rutgers University and is the director of marketing for Rubbermaid Consumer Products.
Hall of Honors, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. Saturday, November 5, 5 p.m. Induction ceremony for alumni achiever, student achiever, school service, and inspiration awards. Reception and dinner. $40. Register by Friday, October 28. Checks payable to WW-P High School South should be sent to Lynn Grodnick at High School South, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor 08550. 609-716-5050.
