"Some of the most amazing young people I have ever met" is what Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Guidance Director Fran Swift called the soon-to-be graduates of the school's Class of 2013.
A total of 100 of those students were honored for their academic achievements, sports, fine and performing arts, and school and community service at the annual RFH Senior Awards Ceremony on June 17.
The stand-out of the class, chosen as its valedictorian, is Harvard-bound Monica de los Reyes, whose achievements include the following distinctions:
Commended Student, National Merit Scholarship Recognition Program; Gold Award, President's Education Awards; U.S. Marine Corps' Scholastic Excellence Award; RFH Class of 2013 Scholarship Award; Spanish Award, Foreign Language Educators of New Jersey; Honors from the National Hispanic Recognition Program; and the Frank W. Baigent Memorial Award for scholarship, leadership, and service.
Aside from los Reyes' honor, of the 100 who won awards, 80, or 35 percent of the graduating class, were recognized with Gold and Silver Award certificates for academic achievement from The President's Education Awards Program — 38 won gold and 42 earned silver awards.
Three members of the graduating class were chosen as recipients of what RFH categorizes as University Distinguished Honors, or elite, competitive scholarship awards from the universities they are attending in the fall.
Laura Courchesne was awarded the Foundation Fellowship, the most prestigious scholarship offered at the University of Georgia. Courchesne was chosen from among 61 finalists for the scholarship, which covers the cost of attendance and includes grants for travel-study and research.
Alexandra (Sasha) Crockett was selected to receive the Roger Williams University Intercultural Leadership Award. Covering four full years' tuition at Roger Williams University, Rhode Island, this scholarship also includes participation in activities designed to complement the student's academic pursuits.
Ellie Halfacre was selected as a 2013 Eugene duPont Memorial Distinguished Scholar by the University of Delaware. This award, which is the university's most prestigious honor, covers tuition as well as room and board. It also provides a one-time allotment of up to $2,500 that may be used for a learning experience of the student's design beyond the boundaries of the classroom.
National Merit Scholarship Recognition is awarded to students who attain test scores in the top three percent nationwide on the Preliminary Standardized Aptitude Test (PSAT), a nationally-recognized indicator of college readiness.
Nine RFH seniors were recognized for earning National Merit Scholarship Recognition as well as the Gold Award from the President's Education Awards Program: Connor Briggs, Robert Chan, Laura Courchesne, Amelia DePaola, Kristina Nicole Liang, Sophie Litwin, Kelsey O'Hare, Benjamin Sherman, and Jessica Yorke achieved this distinction.
Denis O'Sullivan earned National Merit Scholarship Recognition as well as the Silver Award from the President's Education Awards Program.
Another highlight of this year's ceremony was the awarding of two new scholarships.
The Monmouth County Guidance Directors Association created a scholarship now offered at high schools throughout Monmouth County to students who plan to attend community college in the fall. The first RFH recipients chosen for the Monmouth County Guidance Directors Association Award were Kyle Clayton and Neilan Smith.
The Alan B. Fendrick Scholarship was started by the family of this Rumson resident after he passed away from cancer over a year ago. Alan Fendrick was a founding member of the RFH Courtside Club, and the scholarship named for him recognizes support of the basketball program as well as his character traits -- optimism, creativity, enthusiasm, and selflessness. Alan's son Zachary presented this award to cheerleader Gabrielle Minassian and basketball player Matthew Kelly.
"These students have been honored for their academic achievements, extracurricular activities and community service,” said Swift. “But more than that, these recognitions speak to their motivation and passion to excel in ways that set them apart from others.”
The full list of awards and honorees will be attached to the graduation story later today.
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