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MANVILLE: Four seniors among NJ’s ‘best and brightest’

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
   Manville High School seniors Yanela Cruz, Takiyah Hodge, Dan Kirkaldy and Arielle Mizov have been named as Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars by the state Department of Education.
   ”This award is the result of the hard work, dedication and scholarly aspirations of these students and through the support of their families and teachers,” Donald Woodring, principal of Manville High School, said. “We wish them continued success as they attend the universities of their choice to pursue their dreams.”
   The award is based on information submitted by high school guidance counselors. It offers students an annual scholarship of up to $1,000 without regard to financial need for college expenses, which the students say will be important for them.—
   Arielle has been accepted to attend Rutgers, where she would like to study aerospace engineering. Takiyah is planning to major in nursing. She has been accepted at Raritan Valley Community College and Seton Hall. Yanela applied to Lehigh University, University of Scranton, and Haverford College, with plans to enter a pre-med program, with a minor in psychology. Dan has applied at some out-of-state schools, the Stevens Institute of Technology, and has been accepted to Rowan University; he plans to major in civil engineering.
   Arielle said it “felt wonderful to be chosen” for the honor.
   ”Hard work brings great recognition,” she said.
   At MHS, Arielle is the founder and president of the Engineering Club, president of the Robotics Club, member of the National Honor Society, math club, Future Business Leaders of America, Key Club, and participates in drama productions, varsity cross country and softball.
   Takiyah said she’s glad her hard work paid off. She noted with the number of students nominated, she felt overjoyed at winning the honor.
   ”With how things are with our economy, I had great concerns for how I was going to pay for my books while trying to pay for other expenses,” she said.
   Now, she’ll have some help as she pursues a goal of becoming an advanced practice nurse in obstetrics.
   She also pointed out that if she applies for other schools, the honor will show college admissions departments that she has “the potential to succeed.”
   ”Keep trying because in the end you will benefit,” she said. “Accept your mistakes and do not let them hinder your progress in becoming successful; and always stay true to yourself and don’t allow the pressures of society consume you.”
   Takiyah is a member of the school’s National Honor Society, Robotics, REBEL, Art Society, and drama club.
   Fellow honoree Yanela Cruz was very excited upon receiving the honor.
   ”I am very excited to have received this honor. It’s a privilege to be chosen by my teachers and administrators for such an amazing scholarship,” she said. “It’s nice to know that they see the efforts that have been put forth not only by myself, but the rest of the scholarship recipients throughout the last four years of high school, and that they feel we deserve something for our academic excellence. I had no idea this scholarship was available to me, let alone that I had the opportunity to receive it. It just makes receiving it so much better.”
   Yanela said the award came as a complete surprise — she had been out of the country when letters were mailed to the students’ homes confirming their nominations.
   ”I didn’t even know about this scholarship until I was called down to Mr. Grebeck’s office (Guidance) a few days after we came back from break,” she said. “So I was ‘super shocked’ to have been informed I was eligible for a $1,000 per semester scholarship for a Jersey school. I hope this opens more opportunities to other scholarships, showing potential scholarship associations that I do have what it takes to be more than successful in college, and that I truly do deserve a scholarship on their part.”
   She is hoping to get accepted to all of them, but has yet to hear back since all of the deadlines were in January. She is expecting to hear back by the end of February.
   ”There is nothing better than knowing that everything you have worked for your entire educational career has been acknowledged by the people around you,” Yanela said. “It’s amazing to be given such an honor, providing us all with more reasons to strive to our goals.”
   She is involved with the Key Club, FBLA, drama club, Manville High School Parent Teacher Student Association and more at MHS. Yanela is also the Student Council president, yearbook editor and a member of the National Honor Society.
   Dan, a member of the school varsity cross country team, is also a member of the FBLA, Key Club, Russian Olympiada, Yearbook and National Honor Society.
   ”There are other students who were also deserving of this award,” Dan said. “I think it will motivate me to continue working hard in my studies.
   ”I think this scholarship will help me out in the long run and it’s definitely going to influence my decision when it comes time to choose a school,” he added.