Metuchen High School students, one from each grade, were honored at the Metuchen Elks Lodge No. 1914 on June 13 for being selected as students of the year. Also honored was Kathleen Franklin, who graduated from Bishop George Ahr High School in Edison and was the winner of the Elks Legacy Award and the Most Valuable Student award. Students Elizabeth Baran (l-r), grade 9, Kristy Timms, grade 10, Andrew Mannino, grade 11, George Vosinas, grade 12, and Franklin stand with Susan La Fauci, vice principal at Metuchen High School (far left) and Metuchen High School Principal Bruce Peragallo. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARYANN SLATER METUCHEN — The Metuchen Elks Lodge 1914 recently honored local students for their achievements in school.
Kathleen Franklin, a graduate of Bishop George Ahr High School who is headed to Fordham University in New York, received the $4,000 Legacy Award and $600 from the Grand Lodge Most Valuable Student Scholarship contest.
“It’s rewarding for me, thinking about the past four years,” Franklin said upon receiving the award.
Franklin was in the honors program all four years at Bishop Ahr, participated in the elite competition choir and Latin choir for four years, and graduated in the top 10 percent of her class. She plans to concentrate on business and marketing in college.
Four students from Metuchen High School, one from each grade, were honored for being named students of the year —Elizabeth Baran, Kristy Timms, Andrew Mannino and, for the graduating class, George Vosinas. All the students were honored with a luncheon at the Elks on June 13.
Metuchen High School Principal Bruce Peragallo said that when he took the helm of the high school in April, he wanted to find some way to recognize the students of the year.
“This is a dream of mine,” he said. “I felt all along, these students have done many great things and they should be recognized.”
Vice Principal Susan La Fauci said that a week after Peragallo gave her the idea of setting something up, Maryann Slater, scholarship chairwoman for the Elks, walked into her office.
“It was like a breath of fresh air,” she said.
La Fauci screened the teachers’ nominations for students of the year.
Many of the students said they were surprised and honored to be recognized as students of the year.
Vosinas is headed to Rider University in the fall, pursuing history education. He said he wants to become a history teacher.
It was just a year ago when Kristy Timms entered Metuchen High School after moving to the small borough from Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
“I really like Metuchen,” she said. “It was hard adjusting, but everyone has been so accepting and so warm. It is definitely an honor and privilege to be recognized. I just love all my teachers and friends; it has just been amazing and incredible.”
Peragallo said he would like to build on the recognition process in the future.
“I would like a company to come in and take photographs of the students, and we can hang the portraits up in the high school,” he said. “I hope it will become an incentive for other students. It looks good for their college transcripts.”
The Elks is a fraternal organization made up of men and women from all walks of life. The local lodge has raised an average of $25,000 per year for disabled children, veterans, youth activities, scholarships, drug awareness, the fire and police departments, and special Metuchen events.