#b#Brain Bee#/b#
Ronald Wang, a sophomore at High School North, placed third in central New Jersey regional Brain Bee, defeating 55 other New Jersey high school students.
The event was held at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Modeled after a traditional spelling bee, the competition focuses on the human brain and central nervous system. During three rounds of competition, the contestants answer questions derived from “Brain Facts,” a book published by the Society for Neuroscience.
#b#Meersma Receives Community Award#/b#
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism, recognized Brian Meersma of West Windsor as a distinguished finalists for his community service activities. He will receive an engraved bronze medallion.
Meersma, 17, is a senior at High School South. He is an assistive technology consultant to people with disabilities, providing resources to help people who have difficulty with reading and writing.
Meersma, who overcame dyslexia, writes a blog, conducts presentations for parents and educators about assistive technologies, and is the only high school student advisor on the board of Bookshare, a company that produces books for people with disabilities (WW-P News, March 15, 2013).
#b#Debate League#/b#
William Lin, a sixth grader at Community Middle School, took the first place award in the middle school division at the New York Urban Debate League Tournament. He competed against 60 other debaters.
Lin also took the fifth place team award with Shaun Hsueh, a seventh grade student from William R. Satz School in Holmdel. More than 30 teams competed. It was their first tournament, and they will represent the Agape Debate Institute at the state championships in March.
The Agape Debate Institute provides instruction in debate and public speaking to students. Visit www.agapeleaders.com. call 646-316-8587, or E-mail agapeconsulting@gmail.com for information about the program.
#b#In College#/b#
Clark University: Students on the dean’s list include Whitney A. Brown of Plainsboro, and West Windsor residents Joshua A. Bugge and Rishya Narayanan.
Clemson University: Students on the dean’s list include Sean Flannery of Plainsboro, a bioengineering major; and West Windsor residents Amy Lee, a marketing major; Alexander Campbell, a special education major; and Christopher Fania, a financial management major.
Cornell University: Emily Weinberg of West Windsor is on the dean’s list for the second time. A 2012 graduate of High School North, she is enrolled in the College of Agriculture and Life Science, where she is a sophomore majoring in nutritional sciences. She is the starting third baseman for the varsity softball team, where she won Team MVP in her freshman season. She will begin her practice March 1 after recovering from off-season shoulder surgery.
Brandon Plummer of West Windsor is also on the dean’s list. A 2013 graduate of High School North, he is a freshman at the IRL School.
University of Dayton: Emily Ferguson of West Windsor is on the dean’s list.
University of Delaware: Students on the dean’s list from West Windsor include Rebecca Arias, Ariana Efstathios, Irmak Hatiboglu, Sara Itak, John Janick, Lindsay Kelly, Stephanie Naglak, Joshua Rutstein, Kelly Scanlan, Michael Schenk, Johanna Schutzer, and Elianna Wydra.
Plainsboro students on the dean’s list include Timothy Buttner, Laura Kosar, Kevin Kostiw, Roxana Mitrut, Christina Patti, Sarah Peck, Anelyse Porreca, and Brandon Worrall.
Fairfield University: Erin McElwee of West Windsor is on the dean’s list.
Hamilton College: Vincent J. DiCindio II, son of Gina and Vincent DiCindio of West Windsor, is participating in the school’s Program in Washington this semester. A combination of academic study and experience in government, the participants conduct research and attend seminars while working full time in congressional or executive offices. DiCindio, a junior majoring in world politics, is interning at the Department of Justice.
Loyola University: Alexis Bruno is on the dean’s list. A 2013 graduate of High school South, she is a freshman majoring in speech pathology. She plays field hockey, is a tour guide, and is a member of the Autism Club.
Marist College: Bryn Gorberg of West Windsor is on the school’s cross country team. Gorberg is a graduate of High School North. Students on the dean’s list include West Windsor residents Connor Chapman, Robert Grbic, and Mariel Porfido.
University of Mary Washington: Junior Cassandra G. Sciortino of West Windsor is on the dean’s list.
University of Rhode Island: Students on the dean’s list include Anthony Colonna and Marcus Allen of Plainsboro, and Hannah Loeb of West Windsor.
Rider University: Dean’s list students from Plainsboro include seniors Everlynn Muthusi, a finance major; Frederick Kelly, a chemistry major; Michel’le Register, an entrepreneurial studies major; and Joshua Kalmikoff, an elementary education major. Also juniors Christina Bhatta, an accounting major; marketing majors Jonathan Falzon and Andrew Lee; James Shuster, a finance major; elementary education majors Jennifer Dowling and Anna Kunkel-Jure; and Irena Lightfoot, a graphic design major. Laura Cerrito, a sophomore business administration major; Christina Cipolla-Venturi, a senior liberal studies major; and Rebecca Crider, a senior psychology major.
Also Christy Chen, a sophomore elementary education major; and Sei-Jung Oh, a freshman elementary education major.
Dean’s list students from West Windsor include seniors Daniel Joe, a marketing major; Pamela Wagner, a business administration major; Olga Svitlik, a chemistry major; and Erica Zohn, an elementary education major; juniors Anthony Pisano, a finance major; Katherine Girgenti, a graphic design major; and Shirley Wen, a biochemistry major; and sophomores Agamroop Singh, a computer information systems major and Michael Duplak, a secondary education major.
Wake Forest University: Tiffany Kichline of West Windsor is on the dean’s list.
Westminster Choir College: Jason Rand of Plainsboro is on the dean’s list. Rand is majoring in theory and composition.
