Morley likes to keep busy

HHS senior honored at county dinner

By: John Beisser
   
   Meghan Morley is the epitome of a student-athlete. She endeavors to excel at whatever task is before her and, more often than not, she hits her target, whether it’s acing a math exam, swishing a jump shot or sprinting to the finish line.
   Asked what the secret to her overwhelming success in the academic and athletic arena, Morley responded matter-of-factly and without a hint of arrogance or conceit.
   "I’ve always been in involved in sports, so balancing everything is all I’ve known."
   And what a balancing act it has been for Morley, who teamed with Fredy Irizarry as Hillsborough’s representatives at the prestigious Somerset County Scholar-Athlete Dinner last Thursday at the Doubletree Hotel in Somerset.
   Morley is a four-year honors student at Hillsborough and a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and class cabinet. She is also a member of the Peer Mentoring program and the Peer PLUS program for self-contained special education classes.
   Over the span of her highly-productive scholastic career, Morley has competed in 12 different seasons of athletics, four each in cross country, basketball, where she was co-captain of the Somerset County championship team as a senior, and spring track.
   Like all high school seniors on the eve of graduation, Morley reflects back with surprise as to just how fast high school has come and gone. Wherever her future takes her, Morley will always look back with great fondness on her athletic career.
   "I have had the opportunity to be on three great teams and to interact with different groups of people," she said. "It’s been busy, that’s for sure."
   Her track career was slowed by painful shin splints, which caused her to switch gears the past two years. Rather than focusing on long distance running, Morley took part in the throwing events and excelled at the javelin and discus and even tried her hand at the shot put. Her basketball career has been defined by her competitiveness and consistency.
   As for academics, Morley finds all subjects interesting and stimulating but tends to favor the sciences. This fall, she will attend Boston College with a wide- open mind as to what academic regimen she would like to pursue.
   "I chose Boston College mainly for academic reasons and will be in the honors program, so I don’t think Division 1 athletics is in my future," she said. "But I would love to be involved in club and intramural athletics. I will probably major in something in the science area but I am pretty much undecided."
   Morley is not a person who sits still for very long. Whether it’s studying for a test, researching a paper, or preparing for basketball game vs. a conference rival, Morley has the uncanny ability to focus on the task at hand. Amazingly, her academic achievements improve when she is in-season.
   "In those days between sports, I find that I do not do quite as well because I don’t have a deadline that I have to meet," she said.
   Surely in the summer months Morley must take a break from her grueling schedule. Not exactly.
   For years she has worked summer camps, first with 3-year olds and now with 8-year olds. She also puts hours in at the YMCA, where she is a lifeguard and swim instructor. In addition, she holds down a job at Royce Brook Golf Club, driving the golf cart.
   "I guess I’ve always had a lot on my plate, it’s all I’ve ever known," she says. "I like to stay busy and active."