Mecca Walden Selected As Somerset County VoTech Student Of Month For January

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS) announces that Mecca Walden, a junior in the Culinary Arts program, has been selected as Student of the Month for January 2026. Mecca is the daughter of Taja Stackhouse of Bound Brook.

This month, the SCVTHS faculty and staff were asked to nominate a student who has demonstrated resilience by "setting an example of perseverance, grit, and personal growth."

Mecca was recognized for these qualities, as well as her ability to self-motivate, to consistently work hard, and to stay focused on her goals no matter the obstacles she faces.

Throughout her time at SCVTHS, Mecca has not only done well academically, achieving Honor Roll several times, but has also discovered her passion. Through her culinary classes, she has developed a love of baking. This has led her to start her own small business selling her baked goods, featuring chocolate chip cookies and her favorite, banana bread.

Mecca also finds time to give back to the community. She worked with other SCVTHS students to coordinate a toy drive for Agape House and has helped the Middle Earth youth development non-profit with their fundraising efforts during the annual Somerset County 4H Fair.

In the future, Mecca plans on enrolling in the culinary program at Raritan Valley Community College and then continuing on to Johnson & Wales University to continue her culinary journey.

Congratulations to Mecca Walden, the January 2026 SCVTHS Student of the Month.

— Submitted by Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS)