They aspire to work in national security, military research, tax law and medicine.
They are headed for institutions like Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and Virginia Tech. They have earned entry onto those campuses by being leaders in and out of the classroom, by being a talented musician, an advocate for the environment, a robotics whiz or a skilled athlete.
They are the Top 10 seniors in Hamilton Township’s three public high schools, and, if all goes to schedule, they will graduate from the Hamilton Township School District June 23.
Each student in the Top 10 finished with a grade-point average higher than 4.0. Adding in their commitments as peer leaders, student government officers, sports team captains and editors of newspapers heightens their academic achievements.
Some of the students plan to continue their extracurricular activities in college. And seven of them will go on to compete in intercollegiate athletics.
There are 17 girls and 13 boys in the Top 10s.
All three graduations are scheduled for June 23. Steinert High School’s Class of 2014 will graduate at 3 p.m. at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton. Nottingham High follows at the arena, with a 7 p.m. ceremony. Hamilton High School West will hold its graduation 7 p.m. at the Trenton War Memorial.
Evan Bruschini
Boston University (economics)
Politics
Class rank: 1
GPA: 4.63
Clubs: Student government, Peer Leadership, science club, ping pong club, mock trial, Key Club
Sports: Tennis
Favorite memory: “Going to Europe as a sophomore and Spain as a senior.”
Memorable quote: There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. –Ernest Hemingway
Adrianna Graziano
Northeastern University (biology)
OB/GYN
Class rank: 2
GPA: 4.61
Clubs: school musical production crew, German Club, science club, Peer Leadership
Sports: Cross country, track and field
Favorite memory: “Traveling to Europe with Mr. Dan Caruso in 2012. I spent 10 days immersed in other cultures. It gave me a different outlook, and opened my eyes to how much I want to not only know, but experience. I’m so thankful Mr. Caruso offers travel opportunities every year because my trip changed my life. It was an amazing learning experience.”
Memorable quote: It is impossible to live withouth failing at something, unless you lie so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all—in which case, you failed by default. –J.K. Rowling
Ashley Wilczek
Princeton University (chemistry)
Medical researcher
Class rank: 3
GPA: 4.6
Clubs: Key Club, science club
Sports: Tennis, track and field
Favorite memory: “Tennis season, being on the executive board of Key Club, AP Chemistry and all my wonderful teachers.”
Memorable quote: Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.
Monique Michalec
University of Delaware (chemical engineering)
Cosmetic chemist
Class rank: 4
GPA: 4.55
Clubs: Robotics club, German club, baking club, newspaper staff, yearbook committee
Sports: Tennis
Favorite memory: “My favorite high school memories are Spirit Week, tennis season and all of the school dances I attended.”
Memorable quote: Always let your conscience be your guide. –Jiminy Cricket
Ben Zola
Rutgers University
Biomedical engineer
Class rank: 5
GPA: 4.54
Clubs: Steinert Marching Unit, science club, Peer Leadership, school musical
Favorite memory: “My favorite high school memory was traveling with the Steinert Marching Unit to perform in Walt Disney World during a parade down Main Street USA. I enjoyed performing for people from around the world while also being able to relax with friends for the rest of the trip.”
Memorable quote: You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take. –Wayne Gretzky
Collrane Forestano
University of Delaware (biology)
Orthopedic surgeon
Class rank: 6
GPA: 4.53
Clubs: Italian National Honor Society, National Honor Society, Key Club, science club, Italian club, Student Government Association, Science National Honor Society
Sports: Track and field, basketball
Favorite memory: “My favorite memory of high school was my track and field experience, especially my participation in Penn Relays. The people I became friends with on the team, guiding the newcomers and seeing my achievements each year made a huge impact on my life.”
Memorable quote: Thinking positively isn’t about expecting the best to happen every time, but accepting that whatever happens is the best for this moment.
Rebecca Lopez
University of Pennsylvania (communication)
Nonprofit public relations
Class rank: 7
GPA: 4.52
Clubs: School newspaper (editor), Steinert Marching Unit (woodwind captain), jazz band, Key Club
Favorite memory: “My favorite high school memory is that of my recent trip to Spain and Morocco. Not only was it incredibly fun, it was also really eye-opening to experience so much culture and beauty in such a short period of time. I learned a lot—both culturally and academically—and also became a lot close to my peers. That doesn’t often happen in a classroom, and I’m grateful to have had that experience.”
Memorable quote: Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. –Albert Einstein
Nour Abraham
Rutgers University (biochemistry/political science)
Ophthalmologist
Class rank: 8
GPA: 4.51
Clubs: National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, mock trial, robotics, math club, science club, computer club
Sports: Track and field
Favorite memory: “After-school basketball sessions with my brother. Also, the 2014 robotics world championships in St. Louis.”
Memorable quote: I am not a gun. –Iron Giant in the 1999 film, “The Iron Giant”
Adam Cyran
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (mechanical engineering)
Naval research
Class rank: 9
GPA: 4.51
Clubs: Robotics club, science club, National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society
Favorite memory: “In 2012, our robotics team went to the world championship in St. Louis for the first time. It was amazing to go out there with a group of friends, and create strong, long-lasting bonds that will survive forever.”
Memorable quote: From the point of ignition, to the final drive, the point of a journey is not to arrive. –lyrics from “Prime Mover” by Rush
Kristen Malpas
College of New Jersey (political science)
National security/intelligence
Class rank: 10
GPA: 4.51
Clubs: Key Club, National Honor Society, Peer Leadership
Sports: Tennis (captain)
Intercollegiate sports: Tennis
Favorite memory: “Being a model in the after-prom fashion show. Modeling and dancing on stage was something completely out of my comfort zone, so I’m very proud of myself for doing it. I got to dance and model with one of my best friends. Rehearsals and the show were so much fun.”
Memorable quote: You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.
Steinert High School’s top 10 seniors. Back: Kristen Malpas, Evan Bruschini, Ben Zola, Adam Cyran and Nour Abraham. Front: Rebecca Lopez, Adrianna Graziano, Monique Michalec, Collrane Forestano and Ashley Wilczek.,
Wilczek,
Forestano,
Cyran,
