#b#Academics#/b#
Christopher Shao, a junior at High School North, received a top score of 5 on the Advanced Placement (AP) Physics C: Mechanics Examination. Shao was 1 of 15 students in the world to earn every point possible on this AP examination, answering every multiple-choice question correctly and earning the maximum scores on each of the essay questions.
“This outstanding accomplishment is likely a direct reflection of the top quality education being offered in WW-P,” says Trevor Parker, senior vice president of AP and instruction for College Board, the organization that administers the test. “We applaud Christopher for his hours of hard work and Peter Martin, his AP teacher, for the ability to engage students and enable them to excel in a college-level course.”
#b#New Garden#/b#
Volunteers from the community created a new garden to showcase the history of Wicoff Elementary School in Plainsboro. Michael Welborn, principal of Wicoff; Elissa Pananich, a third grade student; and Scott Scharaldi, branch manager for Brickman Group, a commercial landscaping company, helped prepare the school garden.
The historic plaque reads “Plainsboro School, the community’s first four-room schoolhouse, was built and dedicated in 1920. The school later was renamed John Van Buren (J.V.W.) Wicoff School in honor of one of the men who led the effort and who later served as the first mayor of the new township, as well as head of the newly formed Board of Education.”
#b#In College#/b#
University of the Sciences: Christopher Matthews of West Windsor, a doctor of physical therapy student, has been inducted into Alpha Chi National Honor Society. The organization is open to the top 10 percent of the junior and senior class. The ceremony was held November 5 in Philadelphia.
#b#Musical Notes#/b#
High School South Pirate Marching Band placed third in the USBands State competition on October 20 at Rutgers Stadium, and sixth in the USBands National championship on November 2 at MetLife Stadium in the Meadowlands.
The 2013 show, “Connection,” involves two contrasting concepts — disconnection (“One Man Show” and “Stroke of Genius” by Jeff Beal from the movie “Pollock”) and connection (“To Build a Home” by Cinematic Orchestra and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy”).
The band has been rehearsing intensively throughout the fall and has performed its show at most High School South football games as well as various USBands competitions.
The student drum majors are Shivram Viswanathan, a senior; and Brian Starace, a junior. The band is led by student officers. “I am so impressed by how far we have come,” says Zachary Singer, the band president. “The level of excellence we manage to achieve every year is outstanding, and I am especially proud of how much each member has grown.” The marching band is also supported by a strong parent booster organization, led by co-presidents Louisa Ho and Jackie Houck.
“It is such a honor to have the opportunity to work with my students,” says Ali Carraher, the director of bands at South. “They are kind, hard-working, and committed so I could not ask for anything else. I am so proud of them.”
Seniors in the band this year are Kristal Amos-Whitfield, Anna Brosowsky, Brian Gao, Anushka Gupta, Isaiah Johnson, Matthew Lichenstein, Vineeth Sadda, Zachary Singer, Smita Tejo, and Shivram Viswanathan.
The band is supported by a team of adult instructors including Ali Carraher, director; Mike Davis, assistant director and music arrangement; Chris Vitale, drill design; Andrew Ricketts, battery percussion; Chelsea McFarland, pit percussion; and Jeremy Hickson and Melanie Bugher, color guard.
“The Pirate Marching Band is a terrific experience for students. They work hard, become a tight-knit team, develop leadership skills, perform a beautiful show, support the High School South football team and cheerleaders, and have fun all at the same time,” says Louisa Ho. “We couldn’t do it without the amazing team of adult instructors and the parents. Thanks to the school district and all those who have helped out this year. “
Taksh Gupta, a first grade student at Dutch Neck School, won the first prize at NJMTA at Rider University last weekend and a silver prize at the IMPACT competition at Rutgers University on November 9. Last spring he won the Young Pianist Competition of New Jersey, and played at the winner’s recital in Carnegie Hall on May 25. He is the son of Nitin and Srishti Gupta.
