Six students from the Freehold Regional High School District will be among the young adults honored when the Monmouth County Dr. Norman Field Student Recognition Program is held at Colts Neck High School on March 29.
At a recent meeting of the FRHSD Board of Education, the district’s honored students were presented. These student achievers of the year were recognized for their outstanding performance in academics, extracurricular activities, citizenship in the community and outside activities.
Colts Neck High School Principal Christina Steffner presented Ashley Higginson.
Higginson holds a 5.05 grade point average and has challenged herself by taking 16 honors and four Advanced Placement (AP) courses. She has not earned a grade lower than an “A” for the past three years.
Higginson will graduate with 11 varsity letters in cross country and track and field. She has been ranked as the No. 1 female 2-mile scholastic runner in the country and was named the 2006 New Jersey Runner of the Year.
Steffner said Higginson is not only a great student and competitor, but also a selfless individual.
“What makes you want to root for Ashley is that it is never about her, it’s always about the team and about her competitors,” Steffner said.
Freehold High School senior Rebecca Pinnelas ranks No. 3 in her class. She is enrolled in the FRHSD Medical Sciences Learning Center at Freehold High School, Freehold Borough, and is involved in the Spanish Club, Jewish Heritage Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Principal Linda Jewell said, “She represents our school community proudly.”
Freehold Township High School’s Noah Zatzkin is not only academically inclined, he is also active in a variety of activities.
Zatzkin is the captain of the Patriots’ tennis team, has held the position of class president and senator for four years, and assists in the Challenger program, which is a local sports league for children who have special needs.
Principal Liz Higley, who presented Zatzkin, said, “He thrives on challenges and flourishes in the most demanding of environments.”
Howell High School honoree Anne Fuller was also recognized for her efforts. She is the co-editor in chief of the Accent, the school newspaper, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and a peer tutor.
Principal Zina P. Duerbig compared Fuller’s zest for learning to the late Dr. Field.
“You have the inquisitiveness and intellectual brilliance that Dr. Field, an engineer himself, would have found remarkable. You epitomize the concept that learning is not a spectator sport,” Duerbig said.
Manalapan High School senior Albert Ng ranks No. 1 in his class. Ng has a grade point average of 5.0, is an accomplished pianist and volunteers as an assistant teacher at a local Chinese school.
Principal Anthony Procopio said, “He is a serious and dedicated student who is passionate about everything he does. There is no scatter approach to Albert’s activities. He chooses wisely and pursues his choices fully.”
Adam Gross of Marlboro High School has a long list of accolades and awards. He was the New Jersey state champion for public forum debate in 2006, president of the forensics team, vice president of his school’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America and holds a 5.0 grade point average.
Gross was presented by Marlboro High School Principal James Mullevey.