Jessica Gaeta, Ashley Maxson and Becki Bagnato, all graduates of Middletown High School North, recently received Middletown Lions Club Scholarships in the amount of $500 each. The students were selected for outstanding academic achievement, extracurricular activities, and financial need. Gaeta will major in pre-law at Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah, Maxson will major in secondary education at Kean University, Union, and Bagnato will attend Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, and major in music therapy and social work.
Ashley Malm, a Middletown High School North graduating senior, has been selected as the 2005 recipient of the annual Educational Scholarship from The Woman’s Club of Middletown. Malm, who was very involved with North’s art program, had her work displayed in the school’s north salon. She also co-founded the school’s equestrian club. She will attend the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, to pursue a career in architecture.
Middletown resident Leslie May Bennett recently received a bachelor’s degree in public relations at the spring commencement exercises at York College of Pennsylvania. A graduate of Middletown High School, she is the daughter of Patience and Mike Merkel, and Diane and Paul Bennett.
Jill Cavuto-Edwards, Hazlet, recently received a master’s of science degree in education-reading specialist at the spring commencement exercises at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, where she was recently hired as adjunct professor. A graduate of Raritan High School, Hazlet, she is the daughter of Jo-Ann Cavuto.
Kelly A. Hayes, Middletown, recently received a bachelor of arts degree in communications magna cum laude at the spring commencement exercises at Monmouth University. A graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Brenda and Stephen Hayes.
Hazlet resident Lisa P. Illions recently received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and elementary education summa cum laude at the spring commencement exercises at Monmouth University, where she was the highest-ranking degree recipient for baccalaureate degrees in education. While at the school, she was a member of Kappa Delta Phi, Nu Tau Chapter, Education Honor Society, and Gamma Sigma Alpha National Greek Academic Honor Society. She is a graduate of Raritan High School.
Thomas J. Oddo, Hazlet, recently received a bachelor of arts degree cum laude in fine arts at the spring commencement exercises at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, where he was also named to the dean’s list for the spring semester. A graduate of Raritan High School, Hazlet, he is the son of Angela and Ben Oddo.
John Kerrigan, Hazlet, has been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester and his third consecutive semester at with a 4.0 GPA at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. A mathematical science major, he is also a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars. A graduate of Raritan High School, Hazlet, he is the son of Margaret and John Kerrigan.
Cheryl Laue, Lincroft section of Middletown, was recently named to the dean’s list for the spring semester and her fourth consecutive semester at Monmouth University, West Long Branch. An education and history major, she is also a member of Phi-Eta Sigma National Honor Society. A graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Joanne and Joseph Laue.
Matawan resident Erica L. Palermo has been named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at St. John’s University, Queens, N.Y., where she is majoring in communication arts.
Allison E. Phillips, Middletown, was recently named to the dean’s list for the spring semester at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., where she is majoring in international economics at the Walsh School of Foreign Service. A 2003 graduate of Middletown High School North, she is the daughter of Patricia Y. and Donald V. Phillips.
Jennifer Reingle, Aberdeen, was recently named to the dean’s list for the second consecutive semester with a 4.0 grade point average at the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she is majoring in criminal justice. A 2002 graduate of Matawan-Aberdeen Regional High School, Aberdeen, she is the daughter of Pat and Bob Reingle.
Lafayette College, Easton, Pa., announced that the following local students were named to the dean’s list for the spring semester:
Michael Thomas Favara, Matthew Louis Gyory, James Francis Hlavenka and Katherine Lee Schubel, all of Holmdel;
Matthew John Haddad and Richard John McCarthy, both of the Leonardo section of Middletown; and
Stephen Thomas Caruso, Jillian Marie Gaeta, Tara Diane Martinho and Siobhan Shaffery Pattwell, all of Middletown.
Susanna Kisenwether, Aberdeen, has received a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, cum laude, from the College of Arts and Sciences at Boston University. A 2001 graduate of Matawan-Aberdeen Regional High School, Aberdeen, she is the daughter of the Rev. Lewis and Ardis Kisenwether.
Russell S. Laplante, Holmdel, received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, and also made the dean’s list for the spring semester. A graduate of Holmdel High School, he was also on the college’s football and rugby teams. He is the son of Catherine and Denis Laplante.
Melissa Martucci, Matawan, has graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree from The Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City. She was also named to the dean’s list for the spring semester.
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa., has awarded degrees to the following graduates from the local area:
Sarah A. Brennessel, Middletown, a bachelor of arts degree in education and psychology. A graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Carolyn and Warren Brennessel;.
Christopher P. Niesz, Middletown, a bachelor of arts degree in economics. A graduate of Middletown High School North, he is the son of Paula and Peter Niesz;
Matthew J. Picerno of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown, a bachelor of arts degree in political science and physics. A graduate of Allied Academy of Health and Sciences, Neptune, he is the son of Bernice Picerno; and
Kelsey J. Plunkett, Holmdel, cum laude, with a bachelor of arts degree in English and education. A graduate of Holmdel High School, she is the daughter of Nancy and Robert Plunkett.