Lacey Roundup: Artistic, Athletic and Academic Scholars Recognized by School Board

Students from kindergarten through high school received awards for their accomplishments at last night’s school board meeting.

"We are so proud of you," Superintendent Dr. Sandra Brower told the students. "You have reached for the moon, you have landed among the stars of stars of Lacey."

The students represent hard work, tenacity, strength and Lacey as a whole, she said.

"Again we have a room full of just wonderful achievement," board memeber Maureen Tirella said. "Everthing from music, art, sports, scholars, technology. What it shows us—there's room for every child in this district."

Elks Poster Contest

Three Cedar Creek students were honored for being district winners in the Elk’s Poster Contest.

Dylan Straub and Abigail Korman, both fourth graders, placed first place while kindergartener Grant Diemer placed third.

The Lacey Elks Lodge along with the state’s Elks Association sponsors a poster contest annually. This year’s themes included college scholarships, financial assistance and outings, Principal Jackie Ranuska said.

“Throughout the state of New Jersey the New Jersey Elks Organization provides assistance for the caring of the diverse number of children with a variety of needs,” Ranuska said. “The Lacey Lodge, in a particular, has been very supportive of the Lacey schools for many years."

Lacey Scholars

Eighteen seniors were recognized as Lacey’s 2012 scholars.

The state used to recognize its top scholars until financial constraints caused the program to be cut years ago, Prinicpal William Zylinski said.

Lacey Township High School continues to recognize its students based on the same distinctions and photos of the scholars line the high school walls.

To be a Lacey Scholar, students have to rank first, second or third in their class by the end of their junior year or they have to place in the top 10 percent of their class with a combined SAT score of 1260 on critical reading and math by December of their senior year.

“It is quite a feat,” Zylinski said.

This year, the high school had the most scholars yet.

Scholars included Nicholas Brion, David Feiner, Daniel Sheedy, Daniel Moore, Parth Patel, Garrett Waligroski, Jeremy Horvath, Michael Brown, Andrew Hopper, Kyle McGuire, Robert Napolean, Megan Schantz, Taylor Raymond, Alexandra Grana, Rachael Bruckel, Rachel Haskell, Sierra Mills and Sarah Schwec.

Perfect SAT Score

Junior Richard Henwood was also recognized for scoring a perfect SAT score.

State Soccer Video

Lacey Township High School student Gunther Belhart has brought Lacey some national recognition with a video he created for state soccer recertification classes.

Teacher Mark Geiger also serves as a U.S. Soccer State of New Jersey instructor for recertification classes and is in charge of the education and development of referees in the state.

“My idea this year for the recertification class was to focus on referees and offside,” Geiger said. “It’s one of the most missed calls seen on TV or here at Gille.”

Geiger’s vision was to present an offside video test at the recertification classes.

“(Belhart) ran with it,” he said. Belhart went out to soccer field with players and ran with scenarios and then digitized a video.

“The first time I saw it, it was exactly what I wanted,” Geiger said. “It’s very professionally done.”

The video has been used in recertification classes, state clinics and was requested by state directors of instruction, Geiger said.

Cheerleaders

The co-ed cheerleading squad was recognized for their many accomplishments this season including placing first place in several meets as well as the Ocean County Championships, where they were also first and grand champions.

The team also