Meet Central Jersey's 2022 Academic All-Stars
For more than three decades, the Courier News, Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com has sponsored the Central Jersey Academic All-Stars program, which gives graduating high school seniors in the region a chance to show off their achievements and talents.
After a rigorous selection process, eight students were hand-picked from a pool of applicants. According to an independent panel of judges, they displayed the best academic performance, the most activities in and outside of school, and a drive to succeed, among this year's applicants.
Here's a look at each student and their accomplishments, as well as what their mentors had to say about these bright young men and women. For the top eight, we have also included excerpts of their essay entries.
Meet the Top 8
Shefali Awasthi
School: Middlesex County Academy for Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Technologies
School activities: The Eagle Eye Newspaper Club, editor-in-chief; Girls Who Code Chapter, president; Yearbook Club, editor-in-chief; Peer Mentoring Program, peer mentor.
Outside activities: Moderne Academie of Fine Arts, ballet, tap, and hip-hop dancer; Syracuse University Research, research intern; STEMninjas, tutor, director of social media; Bravura Youth Orchestra, cellist.
Awards and achievements: President's National Volunteers Service, bronze award, 2019; National Honor Society, member; Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica, member; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Honor in National Federation Festivals - Junior Division, ballet and tap events; 2022 National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) Aspirations in Computing New Jersey, honorable mention.
Nominator comment: "Shefali's ability to multitask is outstanding. She is always five steps ahead of everyone else and handles her tasks with ease." — Richard Fernandez, guidance counselor.
Essay excerpt: "I believe every young woman should be given the opportunity to join a learning community that empowers them to pursue a career in STEM. For this reason, I have dedicated my time to encouraging the female youth of my community, just as my high school has encouraged me."
Carson He
School: East Brunswick High School
School activities: Mock Trial, president; The Clarion Student Newspaper, editor-in-chief; Tennis, captain; English Honor Society, president.
Outside activities: East Brunswick Youth Council, president.
Awards and achievements: National Merit Scholarship, finalist; U.S. Presidential Scholars Program, award recipient; Valedictorian; High Honors; Boys Tennis Team MVP; Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition County Champions.
Nominator comment: "Carson's greatest strength is his ability to lead. He is a humble leader to who his peers respond to. He sets the tone effortlessly." — Jennifer Liparith, school counselor.
Essay excerpt: "Storytelling, in any form, fascinates me. Whether it's on the page or on the screen, verbal or musical, storytelling resonates with me on a deep level. There's something so permanent and grounding about stories; they have the power to transcend time, communicate family histories, and immortalize thoughts and feelings. Stories have been how I've learned about my past, connected with those closest to me, and appreciated everything that's led to who I am now."
Bridget Lim
School: Bernards High School
School activities: Student Government, class president; Fencing, squad leader; Peer Leaders, member; Track and Field, varsity sprinter/pole vaulter.
Outside activities: Bernardsville Fire Department and First Aid Squad, EMT; Voice Lessons, student to a vocal coach.
Awards and achievements: National Honors Society, member; 2019 Veterans of Foreign Wars "Voice of Democracy," district winner; AP Scholar with Distinction; High Honor Roll; Scholar Athlete.
Nominator comment: "Bridget is a dynamic, empathetic leader. She is completely self-motivated and driven by a fierce passion to do good in this world. Her aspirations toward a career in medicine are rooted in this desire to serve and be there for others." — Megan Dooley, school counselor.
Essay excerpt: "I grew up in a doctor's office: my mom's. I was amazed by the way my mother could, through words alone, make the terrified person in her chair feel at ease, their anxiety instantly giving way to smiles and laughter. I learned that being a doctor is more than just treating the patient. Being a doctor is being a friend to the person who enters your room, a figure of comfort throughout the whole process, and a fount of happiness once they leave."
Dayrin Marquina
School: Rahway High School
School activities: Peer Leader, member; Spanish Nation Honors Society, president; Rahway High School Marching Band, member; STEM Academy at Rahway High School, member; Rahway High School National Honors Society, historian/pr rep; Math National Honors Society, vice president; Tri-M, historian; Blue-Tri, vice president; Jazz Band, first clarinet; National English Honors Society, member; Outdoors Club, member; Rho Kappa, member; Student Government Association, member; Concert Band, first clarinet; Science Honors Society, member; Wind Ensemble, member.
Outside activities: NJ SEEDS, college scholar; Madison Elementary School Enrichment, led tutor.
Awards and achievements: Quest Bridge National College, match finalist; National AP Scholar; Spanish Seal of Biliteracy; National Hispanic Recognition Program, January 2022 student of the month and class of 2022 top ten students.
Nominator comment: "Dayrin is intrinsically motivated and she excels at motivating her peers to strive for greatness." — Maria Hennessy, vice president of guidance.
Essay excerpt: "During the 2020- 2022 school year I had the opportunity to be a teacher. My hands took the hands of a teacher for my cousin Sebastian during his Kindergarten year. Sebastian is on the Autistic Spectrum. After some time I began to ask why: why does Sebastian have difficulty making eye contact? Why do we have to do every task 3 times but not in the same order? My Google search history was filled with countless inquiries into Autism Spectrum Disorder. I spent my time reading case studies, new experiments, and different treatment options. I spent my evening developing hypotheses based on the minimal research published. I spent nights dreaming of the research I would accomplish under the tutelage of renowned professors in this field and spent my weekends incorporating the strategies I had learned during my visits with Sebastian. I aim to research and develop new treatments for Autism Spectrum Disorder at Johns Hopkins University this coming fall."
Arly Romero De Santiago
School: New Brunswick Health Sciences Technology High School
School activities: Mental Health Ambassadors, member; Nurture to Nature, member; Lord Stirling Community School, translator; Art Club at New Brunswick Middle School, volunteer.
Outside activities: Lazos America Unida, member; State Theatre New Jersey, volunteer; New Brunswick Free Public Library, volunteer; Letters for Destiny, volunteer.
Awards and achievements: PARCC award, Presidential Academic Award, High School Honor Rolls, USA Mental Health First Aid award.
Nominator comment: "Arly shows great insight and self-awareness. She is devoted to her friends, family, and religion. She makes a great impact upon all those she comes in contact with." — Colleen White, school counselor.
Essay excerpt: " At 16, I had to get a root canal done. I was repulsed by the fact that I destroyed my tooth to the point where it needed to be killed in order to be saved. I felt nothing but pure hatred for myself as I was responsible for letting things get this far. My tooth was replaced with a white crown. It was not until recently that I fully grasped how lucky I was. Rather than thinking my crown represents my worst mistake, I like to think of it as a second chance given to me. A second opportunity to better take care of my teeth and better myself. Oftentimes, we dwell on our past mistakes, unable to swim to the shore, but there will be times when we must swim against the tide. It is important to focus on the good side of things even when it is difficult to do so."
Leigha Danielle Schultze
School: Voorhees High School
School activities: Voorhees Field Hockey, varsity athlete; Class Council, officer; National Honor Society, director of community service; World Language Honor Society, president (Latin); Science Honor Society, treasurer; Math Honor Society, member; English Honor Society, member; Spanish Club, member; Environmental/Ocean Conservation Club, member.
Outside activities: Operation Chillout - Homeless Veterans Outreach, volunteer
leader youth corps; Girl Scout USA, ambassador; Piano, national/state level performances; St. Luke's Parish, altar server; Life Camp, volunteer counselor, Beespaces.org, founder.
Awards and achievements: AP Scholar with Distinction; National Honor Society; National English Honor Society; National Math Honor Society; Science National Honor Society; World Language National Honor Society- Latin; World Language National Honor Society- Spanish; Alira Seal of Biliteracy in Latin; Princeton Book Award (2021); National Award Prudential Spirit of Community Honoree; National Carson Scholarship Award; President's Volunteer Service Award Gold Status - (4 years); HOBY Leadership Program Certificate of Recognition; Varsity Letters - Field Hockey (3 years); National Latin Examination (Gold & Silver); High Academic Honor Roll (every marking period through high school); Teen Prevention Education Program (PEP) Leader; Girl Scouts of America - Bronze, Silver Awards.
Nominator comment: "Leigha is one of the most mature and self-motivated students that I have ever had the privilege to work with. Driven and motivated are two words that I would use to describe Leigha. Not only is she driven and motivated in her academics, but also in how she places her time and energy into her extracurricular activities." — Megan Grilli-DeRobbio, school counselor.
Essay excerpt: "A bio is arguably one of the most important components in any person's digital existence; in just a few words, one paints a self-portrait and presents it to the world - their personality, their interests, their engagements. My self-portrait would read: "I am the Lorax, I speak for the trees". My love for the environment is an important constant in my life and is the first thing I hope people recognize when I introduce myself. I have tried to foster my positive environmental influence by creating BeeSpaces.org and placing pollinator boxes to support declining insect populations. I plan on dual majoring in environmental studies and pre-law, with a goal of becoming an environmental attorney and defending our Earth through policymaking and upholding regulations."
Hannah Shahinian
School: Somerville High School
School activities: Marching Band, marimba and keyboard percussion, section leader; Model United Nations, youth secretariat, club president, elected officer; Youth and Government, club president; Indoor Percussion Ensemble, member; Jazz Band, member; Jazz Combo, member, National Honor Society, member.
Outside activities: Imaginarium 4-H Club, club president; Conference On National Affairs, part of NJ delegation; Chamber choir, member; Girl Scouts Silver Award; Take Action Change It Project, volunteer; Somerville High School Music Boosters Association, volunteer; Imaginarium Art Club, member.
Awards and achievements: National Merit Scholarship Finalist; National Honor Society, member; Third Year Honor Award; Model UN, African Summit (2019), best first-year delegate; Model UN, Pan American Summit (2021), premier delegate; NJ Youth And Government (2021), best first-year delegate and premier delegate; New Jersey Delegate for YMCA Conference On National Affairs (2021); Chosen as Model UN Delegate for YMCA Conference On National Affairs (2022); Somerset County 4-H Fair (2019), 5 "Excellent" blue ribbons for photography & artwork; Virtual NJ State 4-H fair (2020): 6 "Excellent" blue ribbons for photography & artwork; DAR Patriot Award for Community Service awarded to 4-H Imaginarium.
Nominator comment: "When faced with the hardship of losing her home in a fire, Hannah never showed it on the outside. She is grounded by focusing on the "big picture" values in life and she's constantly striving to improve her environment." — Kathleen DeLuca, school counselor.
Essay excerpt: "I love to be confused. My greatest fear is getting stuck in my comfort zone, and never experiencing the wonder of confusion. After all, a question is no fun if you already know the answer. But there are questions I wish I didn't know the answer to. On September 1st at 11:34 pm, many questions were spinning in my head. Why did the ground just shake? What broke the window? Why is the sky red? Isn't it nighttime? But I wasn't feeling particularly curious that night. I could only think of one answer, which I relayed to my grandma every time she asked what was happening: "We're leaving." Outside I found my answer. A three-story flame had replaced my neighbor's house. The rancid smell of gas wafted on the hot damp air. A house had exploded. The flood broke a gas line. We were homeless. As much as I love to learn, I also understand that what you love doesn't matter in a crisis, not unless it helps. The world is in crisis, and I intend to help. If I can learn how to solve an equation, then I can learn how to prevent natural disasters, and I can protect my world."
Chelsea Young
School: Plainfield High School
School activities: National Honor Society, chapter president; Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, mistress of ceremonies; Swim Team, member;
Outside activities: Union County Human Relations Commission, youth member; NAACP, youth member; NJ Orators, member.
Awards and achievements: Class Valedictorian; 21st Century Summer Learning Program, intern of the summer (2021); Union County Human Relations Unity Award (2019); Women in NAACP Award (2018); Joint Legislative Resolution by Senator Scutari, Assemblywoman Carter and Assemblywoman Kennedy (2020).
Nominator comment: "Ms. Young has grounded herself in all aspects of our school as a voice for our students and as a leader in our community. Of special note is her service as a student representative on our Board of Education where Chelsea articulates the perceptions of the school through the lens of our students. It is refreshing to have such a powerful student advocate in our building who has embraced collaboration as a means to ensure all voices are heard and valued when determining student-centered issues." — Kevin Stansbury, principal.
Essay excerpt: "Growing up my parents have instilled in me a personal value statement based on lyrics from a rapper named KSR-1, which says, 'Some say it’s not whether you win or lose but how you play the game. But, this statement is misleading because it takes away our sense to gain. If all I do is play the game, then I am just mediocre. So, instead, I strive to be the best that I can be and never to just get over.' This statement lets people know that I am a person who tries to do my best at everything I do and that I want to continue to grow into that type of person."
Meet the Runners-Up
Emily Destito
School: Mother Seton Regional High School
School activities: Varsity Soccer, team member/captain; Student Council, treasurer, vice president, executive vice president; Science League, team member; Math League, team member; SojournNearbook Club, assistant editor; Union County Teen Arts Festival, selected participant; Seton Ambassadors Program, lead senior ambassador; Big Sister/Little Sister Program, mentor; Leadership Group, vice president; Loaves and Fishes Community Service Club, member; Prom Decor Committee, member.
Outside activities: Linden Youth Soccer Organization, coach, mentor, referee; Clark Club Soccer, team member, captain; Linden School No. 2, volunteer.
Awards and achievements: Seton Distinguished Scholar; National Honors Society, First Honor Roll; Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award; 2019 National Spanish Exam, honorable mention; Distinction in the 2019 National Language Arts League, Varsity Soccer, rookie of the year; Gold Division All-Division soccer team, member; Excellence in Algebra I, Algebra II, Biology, Spanish I, Spanish II, Spanish III, Latin, English and Language Arts, World History, Geometry, Chemistry, Math League, AP Chemistry, Pre Calculus, AP Language and Composition.
Nominator comment: "Emily is involved in all areas of our school community. Her biggest strength is the commitment and dedication she has for our school. Emily also shows great leadership qualities." — Amanda Ciccone, guidance counselor.
Jayanth Mammen
School: Watchung Hills Regional High School
School activities: Economics Club, founder and president; Speech and Debate Club, member and president; TEDxWHRHS, organizer and speaker; Model United Nations, member.
Outside activities: New York Historical Society, student historian; Stanford University Challenge Success, partnered researcher; Warren Township Community Forum, outreach volunteer; Academicly (New York Educational Startup), market analyst intern.
Awards and achievements: National Merit Commended Scholar (2021); AP Scholar with Distinction (2021); National Honor Society; World Language Honor Society (Spanish); Philadelphia Model United Nations, outstanding delegate (2020); Central Jersey Model United Nations, best delegate (2020); Central Jersey Model United Nations, delegates' choice (2020); World Series of Innovation, finalist, developed oil detection and education tool for researchers (2021); CONRAD Spirit of Innovation, semifinalist innovator (2020); Diamond Challenge Round 2, presenter, founded Youth Finance Education Company (2020); Diamond Challenge Round 2 Presenter, developed device helping students during heavy drinking episode (2021); National Economics Challenge Adam Smith Division, 9th place in New Jersey (2021); Recognized in Journal of Future Economists for Federal Reserve Challenge; National Economics Challenge David Ricardo Division, highest individual score from Watchung Hills Regional High School (2019); Published TEDx Speaker ("Theory of Constructed Emotion") on the psychology of emotions in daily life; featured on NBC's Today Show to provide commentary on educational stressors for high school students (2021); American Education Research Association, presenting author (2021); American Education Research Association, presenting author (2022); MIT Center for Constructive Communication Panel, panelist (2021); North Jersey Regional Science Fair, research presenter (2021); Harvard University's Pandemic Policython Economic Equity Track, runner-up, co-authored Indigenous People Education Policy Proposal (2020); Harvard University's Students Improving Schools, top participant nomination, co-authored policy proposal Improving Student Teacher Accountability Measures (2021).
Nominator comment: "Honest, hard-working, kind, and curious, Jayanth is a strong leader. Articulate and creative in motivating others, Jayanth thinks deeply about the world around him and goes far beyond the boundaries of high school to explore new ideas and to develop innovative solutions. Jayanth’s research inspired him to design and implement SpringSchooling, a free tutoring service for students in disadvantaged communities in the U.S. and in Northern India." — Barbara Meyer, school counselor.
Diana Leigh Neste
School: Mount Saint Mary Academy
School activities: Math League, president; Girls Who Code, president; Mock Trial, juror, witness, attorney, captain; Respect Life Club, president; Peer Ministry, leadership team.
Outside activities: Storming Robots, competition team member; Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, volunteer catechist; Governor's STEM Scholars/NJIT, research scholar; Whitehouse Preparatory School, volunteer teacher.
Awards and achievements: Apple Worldwide Developer's Conference Swift Student Challenge, winner (2021); RoboCupJunior OnStage National, champion and top ten global team member (2021); President's Gold Volunteer Service Award (2021); New Jersey Governor's STEM Scholar (2020-2021); National Center for Women & Information Technology Award for Aspirations in Computing, NJ rising star (2021); National Merit Commended Scholar (2021); Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction (2021); Rensselaer Medal Award (2021); Euro Challenge, national semifinalist (2020); High Honor Roll Recipient every quarter of high school; Cum Laude Society Member; National Honor Society, member; Mu Alpha Theta (National Math Honor Society), member; National Spanish Honor Society, member; Science National Honor Society, member; National English Honor Society, member.
Nominator comment: "Diana has the gifts of grace, humility, generosity, and intellect that has earned her respect and admiration in our school community, from her peers and adults alike. Diana is additionally an active participant and contributor with clubs and school events. She is the most gifted, intelligent, and naturally talented student I have ever worked with." — Dana Goad, school counselor.
Tatjana Roessle
School: South Amboy High School
School activities: National Honor Society, secretary; National Art Honor Society, treasurer; Student Council, treasurer; Varsity Soccer, captain.
Outside activities: South Amboy Beach Cleanup, volunteer; Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), volunteer; Reading to Children (German), volunteer; Dance Chaperone, volunteer.
Awards and achievements: Honor Roll; National Honor Society, member; National Art Honor Society, member; Jugend Debattiert International, finalist; National German Honor Society, member; American Association of Teachers of German, gold award (3 years); German Schools Abroad (ZfA) video contest, 2nd place; German Language Diploma.
Nominator comment: "Tatjana has terrific leadership qualities and academic achievements. Tatjana is ranked #1 in our 2022 class and will be our Valedictorian." — Patrick McCabe, principal.
Gillian Trotta
School: Dunellen High School
School activities: Cheerleading, captain; Drama, officer/crew head; Class Student Council, vice president; Executive Student Council, vice president; Peer Leaders, member; Safety Ambassadors, member.
Outside activities: Dance, member.
Awards and achievements: National Honor Society, member; National Thespian Society, member; Dance Congeniality Award (two times); Teaching Scholarship; Did Most for Dunellen High School, recipient.
Nominator comment: "Gillian does really well in a variety of areas." — Lee Best, school counselor.
Shakthi Venkatesan
School: Colonia High School
School activities: Science Research, student coordinator; Math Olympiad, founder/president; Central Jersey Consortium for Excellence and Equity (CJCEE), Woodbridge Township student representative; Heroes and Cool Kids, member.
Outside activities: NJ Thiruvalluvar Tamil School, volunteer teacher; Shive Tala Institute of Bharathanatyam, dance team choreographer; Alpert Zales & Castro Pediatric Cardiology, student intern; Red Cross Edison Youth Council, member.
Awards and achievements: Colonia High School Science Fair, 1st Place (2021); AP Scholar; Bharathanatyam Graduation Diploma; National Honors Society, president; Science National Honors Society, member; Rho Kappa History Honors Society, secretary; Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society, officer; Woodbridge BOE Student Representative.
Nominator comment: "Shakthi is an overall well-rounded student. She has an excellent work ethic and determination to succeed. Her drive to succeed is immeasurable. Shakthi is one of the few students I have encountered with this level of excellence. In addition to her academic achievement and outstanding work ethic, Shakthi has also performed almost 140 hours of community service hours while maintaining excellence in the classroom." — Andrea Simkovich, school counselor.
Nikhil Yeddula
School: John F. Kennedy Memorial High School
School activities: Soccer Team, junior varsity captain; Robotics Club, mechanical team captain; Student Council, president; National Honor Society, vice president; Volleyball Team, member; Math Team, member, Computer Science Club, member; Autism Awareness Club, member; Kennedy Wevolve, member; Eco-Friendly Club, member; Model UN, member.
Outside activities: St. Joseph's Senior Nursing Home, volunteer; St. Cecelia Roman Catholic Church, member; Concert Choir, member; Men's Choir, member; American Cancer Society, member; Academic Challenge Team, member.
Awards and achievements: National Honors Society, member; National English Honor Society, member; Science Honors Society, member; AP Scholar with Distinction; Soccer Varsity Team, player.
Nominator comment: "He is a 'natural-born leader. In addition, Nikhil is athletic, thoughtful, polite, and extremely intelligent." — Bryan Wilson, director of school counseling.
Cecilia Zuniga
School: Metuchen High School
School activities: Metuchen High School Marching Band, assistant drum major and head drum major; Metuchen High School Varsity Tennis Team, team captain; Metuchen High School Student Council, vice president, treasurer, and executive president; Metuchen High School Racial Justice and Equity Committee, member; Metuchen School District Advisory Board, member; Metuchen High School Footlighters, member; Metuchen High School Jazz Ensemble, member; Metuchen High School Golf Team, member.
Outside activities: Breaking the Chain Through Education, member; Safety Ambassador.
Awards and achievements: National Honor Society, member; Tri-M Music Honor Society, member.
Nominator comment: N/A.
Email: alewis@njpressmedia.com
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This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Meet Central Jersey's 2022 Academic All-Stars
