Schools
Cedar Hill Prep Student Achieves National Recognition in Track and Field
Zinnia Shirley wins state, regional, and national medals this summer, showcasing skill, leadership, and determination.
Somerset, NJ – Cedar Hill Prep is proud to celebrate Zinnia Shirley, a 7th-grade student who has demonstrated exceptional skill, dedication, and leadership in Track and Field. Competing across the Northeast this summer, Shirley qualified for two national competitions in Georgia and Texas, earning accolades at state, regional, and national levels.
Shirley’s standout performances include:
- USATF State & Regional Champion – Javelin
- AAU District & Regional Champion – Javelin
- 6th Place – AAU National Junior Olympics – Javelin
- 2nd Place – USATF Regionals – High Jump
- 3rd Place – AAU Regionals – High Jump
- USATF Regional Champion – 4x100m Relay
- 2nd Place – AAU Districts – 4x100m Relay
- 3rd Place – USATF Regionals – Pentathlon
- 3rd Place – USATF Nationals – Pentathlon
Shirley’s mother, Hajar Shirley, shared, “We are so proud of Zinnia’s success on the track, and also grateful for how CHP has supported her journey. From the very beginning, her teachers — especially Ms. Sheridan, Coach Tierney, and Ms. Rita — recognized her talent and encouraged her to reach higher. Coach Yollia and Coach Frankie have provided technical foundations for her to grow as an athlete and also a platform for leadership. Serving as the youngest team captain has challenged Zinnia to build confidence, responsibility, and teamwork skills that will carry her far beyond the field. We are deeply thankful that CHP is a place where both her athletic and leadership gifts can shine."
As a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Cedar Hill Prep in Somerset, NJ, emphasizes not only academic excellence but also leadership, character development, and holistic student growth. Zinnia’s achievements reflect the school’s commitment to cultivating active, compassionate, and globally minded learners. At CHP, students thrive academically and beyond, excelling in debate, competitive sports, the International Academic Championships (IAC), and other state and national-level competitions. From Track and Field to leadership roles, our students are encouraged to pursue excellence, teamwork, and critical thinking in every arena.
Join Us for Our Open House!
Discover Cedar Hill Prep in person at our Open House on Friday, September 27, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Registration is required to attend.
Contact: 732-356-5400 Ext. 32
Website: www.cedarhillprep.com
