Meet Your Princeton '14 Classmates (news stories)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
101

<p>“Studies Top His Game Plan” (Maryland)</p>

<p>[Studies</a> Top His Game Plan - Baltimore Sun](<a href=“STUDIES TOP HIS GAME PLAN”>STUDIES TOP HIS GAME PLAN)</p>

<p>One day, Max Coale would like to be a doctor. He already appears to be training for the long hours necessary to get through medical school with a schedule that keeps him studying past midnight six days a week.</p>

<p>“I take Sunday off,” he said.</p>

<p>Though his future is bright, current events occupy his every minute and his main concern at the moment is River Hill’s next football game. The senior, 6 feet 4 and 240 pounds, is the Hawks’ senior starter at offensive tackle and defensive end. In the spring, he plays lacrosse for his school team. . . .</p>

<p>He has a 4.0 grade-point average and is being recruited to play football not only by Football Bowl Subdivision schools, but by Ivy League schools, too. . . </p>

<p>Coale is a team captain this season, a member of the Science National Honor Society, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and a member of the National Honor Society, putting in 30 additional hours of community service, inside and outside the school.</p>

<p>Question: I hear from your coach that you’re taking a number of difficult courses this season. Isn’t your senior year supposed to be easy?</p>

<p>A: I’m mainly a science kind of guy - chemistry, anatomy, biology and psychology. I want to be a doctor because I think working with people, while being able to exercise the sciences - biology, anatomy, to see those sciences working together, not in a lab but working with people - is something I would enjoy.</p>

<p>Q: Will you pick your school based on which one wants you to play football?</p>

<p>A: No. My number one choice will be based on academics, definitely. I’m not going to play football forever, as much as I love it. I plan on having a life after that. I have to get an education first.</p>

<p>Q: Have you always loved football?</p>

<p>A: Actually, the sport I really love is lacrosse. And I pursued it. But I found the schools that I’m interested in for academics are primarily schools with Top 10, nationally ranked lacrosse teams. I’m a pretty good lacrosse player, but not that level. Every one of them told me the same thing, “Great stick skills, but a little too slow.” So when the football coaches at those same schools - Princeton, Harvard and Brown - started to talk to me, I started to listen. They’re all phenomenal schools. If any one of them would like me to play football for them, it would be a great opportunity. . . . (continued)</p>

102

<p>Hahaha, I know several of these people and I have to say it’s amazing how much more impressive they sound in newspaper articles. Don’t get me wrong, they’re brilliant people, but in the whole scheme of things they’re pretty normal.</p>

103

<p>“Max Rubin - Salutatorian” (New York)</p>

<p>[Meet</a> the Class of 2010 Valedictorian and Salutatorian](<a href=“http://www.antonnews.com/roslynnews/news/8724-meet-the-class-of-2010-valedictorian-and-salutatorian-.html]Meet”>http://www.antonnews.com/roslynnews/news/8724-meet-the-class-of-2010-valedictorian-and-salutatorian-.html)</p>

<p>"Max Rubin is one of the kindest and nicest people to ever step foot in Roslyn High School. Max is a natural learner as well. He comprehends, interprets, deduces and analyzes with such ease and speed that he amazes his peers, faculty and family.</p>

<p>Max is dedicated, compassionate and extremely motivated, which shows not only in what he has accomplished during the school day, but in his extracurricular endeavors as well. Just one look at his personal profile and it’s evident that he has taken full advantage of his time in the last four years at Roslyn High School. Some notable extracurricular accomplishments include President and Captain of the Chess Team, which he himself reinstated and revitalized; a member of the Model Congress as well as the Math Team; a very strong member of the Royal Crown Players, the Roslyn High School theatre program which produces two shows a year; Vice President of the National Honor Society; and a member of the elite Challenge Team, which competes on a tri-state high school academic quiz show. Max is also an AP Scholar with Honor as well as a member of the Foreign Language Honor Society. This represents only a small portion of his accomplishments.</p>

<p>As one of the strongest seniors in this year’s graduating class, he has a grade point average and an SAT score that are nothing short of amazing. His transcript and senior program are replete with Honors and Advanced Placement courses. Max is a serious student, and an inquisitive young man able and eager to think “outside the box.” He is capable of meeting the highest academic standards, and he is more than ready for the challenge of being a freshman at Princeton in the fall."</p>

104

<p>“Katie Skinner, Valedictorian and Times Review Athlete of the Year” (New York)</p>

<p>[Times/Review</a> marks 25 years of athletes of the year awards](<a href=“http://www.riverheadnewsreview.com/news-articles/1009/1009-Times-Review-marks-25-years-of-athletes-of-the-year-awards.html]Times/Review”>http://www.riverheadnewsreview.com/news-articles/1009/1009-Times-Review-marks-25-years-of-athletes-of-the-year-awards.html)</p>

<p>"The story of Katie Skinner contains one remarkable nugget after another. This senior ran most of her high school career with a piece of metal in her foot. A brilliant student, she was the class valedictorian and never received a grade lower than a 98. And, oh yeah, it could be argued that she is the greatest long-distance runner Riverhead has ever produced.</p>

<p>“She puts so much into her work, her work ethic, her practice,” the Riverhead girls winter track coach, Becky Winkel, said. “Everything she does, she does to the best of her ability.” . . .</p>

<p>And she did all of this, remarkably, with a piece of metal that had been discovered in her right foot. Although it is a mystery as to how the metal got there, Skinner believes she had stepped on it when she was a youngster. Following the indoor season, Skinner underwent surgery on the foot, and a large cyst, almost two centimeters long, enveloping the metal piece was removed.</p>

<p>“We were all shocked she was running as well as she had up to that point,” Winkel said. “Either way, she ran some of the best times in the county with something stuck in her foot.” . . . </p>

<p>“She’s a great athlete,” Riverhead’s outdoor track coach, Maria Dounelis, said. “She’s a leader. She’s a hard worker. Kids see that and they want to be like her.”</p>

<p>Winkel said, “She’ll always be remembered and not just for her ability, but for her work ethic, and I’m happy she spread that among the younger athletes coming up.”</p>

<p>Riverhead Athletic Director Bill Groth said, “Katie Skinner is the type of athlete or runner who is extremely unique, and we’ve been fortunate to be blessed with her career here in Riverhead.”</p>

<p>Skinner will run for Princeton University’s cross-country and track teams.</p>

105

<p>“Meet Mary Schulman, Valedictorian” (Connecticut)</p>

<p>[Minuteman</a> News Center](<a href=“Fairfield Citizen - CT Insider”>Fairfield Citizen - CT Insider)</p>

<p>Mary Schulman will be a freshman at Princeton University in the fall, where she plans on majoring in East Asian studies. Mary has participated in various activities over the course of her four years in high school, including the debate team, of which she was Varsity Co-Captain, the literary magazine and newspaper of which which she was co-Editor-in-Chief, Interact Club (as an elementary school tutor and talent show participant), the Holy Family Parish for which she is an altar server and lector, the Bridgeport Rescue Mission and Operation Hope (a volunteer), National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society. Mary has especially excelled in language. She was District First Place Winner in the Rotary Four-Way Speech Contest, and she is the Chinese Teacher’s Assistant as well as a middle school tutor for Chinese, in which she taught the language to a group of eighth-graders and parents traveling to China.</p>

106

<p>“Philosopher Connor Mui reflects on lessons learned” (New Jersey)</p>

<p>[NorthJersey.com:</a> Looking back and forward](<a href=“http://www.northjersey.com/news/97554814_Looking_back_and_forward.html]NorthJersey.com:”>http://www.northjersey.com/news/97554814_Looking_back_and_forward.html)</p>

<p>TENAFLY – A rising scholar and at the top of his class, Tenafly High School valedictorian Connor Mui reflects on his past learning experience in the district and his present hopes and dreams for his future. . . .</p>

<p>One of the after-school clubs and programs he had participated in going through the Tenafly school system was middle school math teacher Matthew Tully’s philosophy club. It was then – in sixth grade – that Mui’s love for philosophy was developed.</p>

<p>“I really enjoy just the new ways of thinking,” responded Mui to why he liked philosophy so much. “I think that first time in middle school was the first time coming up with my own ideas than just listening and receiving. As students, that’s all we do – listen and receive. I think philosophy and Mr. Tully really taught me how to think for myself.”</p>

<p>Mui went on to become a co-founder of a philosophy seminar devoted to the study of Ayn Rand’s philosophy of Objectivism and joined the school’s Debate Team in eighth grade. He is also a national merit scholar.</p>

<p>He is currently president of the Tenafly Debate Team and won first place in the individual speaker category in the Bergen County Debate League two years in a row (his junior and senior years).</p>

<p>Besides academics, Mui also spread his wings on the high school’s varsity swim team and was captain his junior year. He also plays the bass in the school’s honors orchestra.</p>

<p>Though he will miss his friends and family next year, Mui is excited about what lies ahead. He will be studying politics and public affairs at Princeton University in the fall. . . . " (continued)</p>

107

<p>“Lucie Wright Writes: The Two Wailing Walls” (Massachusetts)</p>

<p>[The</a> two wailing walls - Passport - Boston.com](<a href=“http://www.boston.com/news/world/blog/2010/07/two-wailing-wal.html]The”>http://www.boston.com/news/world/blog/2010/07/two-wailing-wal.html)</p>

<p>Lucie, a member of the Class of 2014, has written a dispatch from Israel for the online journal Boston.com. Lucie graduated from the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham and won the Wiswell Prize in English. The last paragraph beautifully sums up the kind of student she’ll be at Princeton.</p>

<hr>

<p>"Filing off the bus, we say goodbye to our guide Dan for the afternoon. An Israeli tour guide, he can’t come with us into the West Bank, a territory governed by the Palestinian Authority. We pass one by one through the gate of an iron fence and from there it is an empty slope leading up to the barrier. It’s two, maybe three stories high, solid concrete and gray. I look up and see loops of barbed wire lining the top. A guard shouts at a few of us in Hebrew. No pictures. . . .
. . .</p>

<p>At a glance this trip might seem more touristy than anything else, but it was the epitome of one of the most valued lessons I took away from my four years at Noble and Greenough School. Nobles taught me that it was more important to be well informed and unsure about where you stood than to pick a side for the sake of having an opinion. This was not a trip about judgments. It was not a trip about finding evidence to support whatever political views you had coming in. This was a trip about observations, observing so that we might better understand the people and appreciate the complexities of the region. The only conclusion I am prepared to make is that any individual involved in negotiations could benefit from a trip to the two wailing walls."</p>

108

<p>“Diana Chin Named Presidential Scholar” (Rhode Island)</p>

<p>[Diana</a> Chin, Presidential Scholar](<a href=“http://www2.turnto10.com/news/barrington/2010/may/03/ri_2010_presidential_scholars_xml_named-ar-109846/]Diana”>http://www2.turnto10.com/news/barrington/2010/may/03/ri_2010_presidential_scholars_xml_named-ar-109846/)</p>

<p>"Barrington High School students Diana Chin and David Tong have been named Rhode Island’s 2010 Presidential Scholars.</p>

<p>The students were chosen for their academic achievements, extracurricular activities and community involvement. . . . (continued)</p>

<p>“Diana loves music and has been playing cello for over twelve years. She also enjoys playing on the tennis team and being an avid member of too many clubs at her school, with leading roles in Mock Trial, FBLA, Chinese Club, Math Team, Science Olympiad, and the American Computer Science League. A look at the latter half of this list may hint at the fact that she often enjoys letting out her inner math and science geek and will probably pursue engineering in the future. During the school year, she works regularly as a math tutor and often volunteers at a nearby animal shelter. She also got the chance to brave the heat and spend the past summer volunteering in Taiwan (where all her relatives live) where she taught English to disadvantaged kids living in rural areas. In her free time, she loves watching movies with her friends or family.” [from Presidential Scholars website]</p>

<p>Diana was also featured in the following article already linked above. </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/136622.html[/url]”>http://www.eastbayri.com/detail/136622.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

109

<p>“Arden Youngblood–First Ever A-Rated Fencer From the Southwest Region” (Texas)</p>

<p>[Hockaday’s</a> Fencing Sisters | wfaa.com | Dallas - Fort Worth Sports](<a href=“http://www.wfaa.com/sports/Hockadays-Fencing-Sisters-98946819.html]Hockaday’s”>http://www.wfaa.com/sports/Hockadays-Fencing-Sisters-98946819.html)</p>

<p>Fencing is a lot of things – it’s unique, especially here in Texas. It’s mentally and physically draining, often called “physical chess.”</p>

<p>And it’s expensive.</p>

<p>The lame (pronounced “lah-MAY”), or the suit, goes for about $200. Add another $75 for the saber, $400 for the helmet, $125 for shoes, and $50 for a glove. Double it if you have two kids involved. Add in coaching and travel costs, and this is one expensive sport.</p>

<p>“We support our kids in anything they want to do,” said Sharon Youngblood, who has two daughters involved in fencing. “And if they enjoy it, and we think it’s character building and (teaches) discipline, and it’s fun, then we’re on board.”</p>

<p>“I love them, they love me,” 16-year-old Avery Youngblood said about her parents. “It’s hard for me to get on the strip and have them watching me because I feel it’s so much pressure, because they’ve done so much for me and they want me to do my best.”</p>

<p>Arden and Avery Youngblood both fenced at the Hockaday School and for the Dallas Fencers Club. Arden graduated and is going to Princeton in the fall. She’s the first woman from the southwest region to ever get an A-rating in fencing, which is the highest level.</p>

<p>“I realize there are not a lot of fencers in the south, so it makes sense that there are not a lot of A-rated fencers,” said Arden Youngblood, “but I didn’t expect to be the only one, or the first one.” (continued)</p>

110

<p>“Leangelo Hall One of Four National Winners of Inaugural Harris Math & Science Scholarship” (Florida)</p>

<p>[Council</a> of the Great City Schools Announces Math and Science Scholars - MarketWatch](<a href=“http://www.marketwatch.com/story/council-of-the-great-city-schools-announces-math-and-science-scholars-2010-07-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp]Council”>http://www.marketwatch.com/story/council-of-the-great-city-schools-announces-math-and-science-scholars-2010-07-27?reflink=MW_news_stmp)</p>

<p>"ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships encourage pursuit of high-tech careers.</p>

<p>–Scholarships created to reach minority students in 65 of the nation’s largest urban school districts
–Awards named in honor of Dr. Bernard Harris, Jr., the first African American to walk in space </p>

<p>The Council of Great City Schools has named four high school graduates as the inaugural winners of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Math and Science Scholarships. The awards are given annually to four students, two African American and two Hispanic, residing in the largest urban school districts in America, to encourage their pursuit of technology-related degrees. </p>

<p>. . .</p>

<p>Mr. Hall has been accepted to Princeton University with a career goal of pediatric neurosurgery. He attended Coral Reef Senior High in Miami-Dade County schools. In addition to his school activities, Mr. Hall has participated in a number of fund-raising efforts along with tutoring elementary students and serving as captain of his tennis team. . . . (continued)"</p>

111

<p>“Under-17 Canadian Squash Champion Headed to Princeton” (Ontario, Canada)</p>

<p>[Bayridge</a> graduate ready for international challenge - The Whig Standard - Ontario, CA](<a href=“http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2686133]Bayridge”>http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2686133)</p>

<p>Forgive Tyler Osborne if he’s wide-eyed for the next two weeks. </p>

<p>The Bayridge Secondary School graduate, 17, is in Quito, Ecuador as one of four players representing Canada at the world junior squash championship. </p>

<p>Osborne has played squash all over North America and Europe, but being an underager on an under-19 national team at a world championship in South America clearly is the highlight of his young career. </p>

<p>“It’s unbelievable,” Osborne said upon arriving in Ecuador last week. “I don’t know if words even describe how exciting it is to be here right now. I think it will be a great experience.”</p>

<p>The Canadian team went all out to prepare for the event at altitude – Quito sits at 2,850 metres above sea level. </p>

<p>Osborne, the reigning under-17 Canadian champion, and teammates Arjun Gupta of Toronto, Nick Sachvie of St. Catharines and Andrew Schnell of Calgary spent about a week in Calgary to prepare for the challenge. . . .</p>

<p>It’s been quite a year for Osborne, who graduated from Bayridge last month and was accepted to Princeton University in April. </p>

<p>But he’s delaying his arrival at the Ivy League school until September 2011 so he can take part in the elite athlete program at Queen Elizabeth this school year. </p>

<p>Pushing back university for a year also will allow him to compete in the Canada Winter Games in Halifax in February. </p>

<p>“Ivy League, in this day and age, is the best play to be for squash,” said Osborne, who has two brothers and a sister who also excel at the sport. </p>

<p>“I took a tour of Princeton last summer and it’s a great campus. Everything is so close. Princeton is kind of like its own little city.” . . . (continued)</p>

<hr>

<p>Tyler is taking a year off and will join the Class of '15. He is thus an “honorary member” of this thread for the Class of '14!</p>

112

<p>“Bryan Dongre, Presidential Scholar and USSYP Delegate” (Wisconsin)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us/archives/34/2010_Summer_City_Newsletter.pdf[/url]”>http://www.ci.brookfield.wi.us/archives/34/2010_Summer_City_Newsletter.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>"Senior Bryan Dongre brought much pride to Brookfield Central this year when he became one of two Wisconsin delegates for the 48th Annual United States Senate Youth Program (USSYP), as well as one of the nation’s 141 U.S. Presidential Scholars. </p>

<p>In March, Dongre represented Wisconsin during USSYP’s Washington Week in Washington, D.C. He met with distinguished personnel from different branches of government, foreign diplomats, and accomplished military mentors. Among those he heard speak were Associate Justice of the Supreme Court Sonia Sotomayor; Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg; Ambassador Meera Shankar, Embassy of India; and several senators, all who provided valuable insight into their jobs and areas of expertise. </p>

<p>Dongre also toured the Pentagon, Supreme Court, U.S. Senate, White House, Department of State and several memorials. </p>

<p>Dongre will return to Washington in June to be honored as a U.S. Presidential Scholar. He has selected Mrs. Louise Thompson, his AP Chemistry teacher and SMART (Students Modeling a Research Topic) team advisor, to receive the Presidential Scholar Teacher Recognition Award. . . . </p>

<p>Dongre credits his experience in the district with helping him achieve the UYSSP and U.S. Presidential Scholar honors. “I think the combination of academic and leadership opportunities at Brookfield Central, as well as in my community, enabled me to be well-rounded and academically successful. Having access to a broad course selection and demonstrating academic competence in college-level courses through Youth Options were definite catalysts for both of these major achievements.”</p>

<p>As he prepares to graduate, Dongre wishes to thank all the good teachers who he has had during the course of his education. “Through their dedication, I have attained a mindset necessary for success in the future,” he said. Dongre will be attending Princeton University in the fall to pursue an education in engineering and international affairs. . . ." (continued)</p>

<p>Bryan was also a Coca-Cola Scholar.</p>

113

<p>“Alan Hatfield on the Today Show”</p>

<p>[Preparation</a> key to college entrance exams - Parenting - TODAYshow.com](<a href=“http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38465333/ns/today-parenting/]Preparation”>http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/38465333/ns/today-parenting/)</p>

<p>Alan Hatfield, who scored 2400 on the SAT and is a Presidential Scholar, was interviewed on the Today Show on NBC along with a test prep coach (who did not work with Alan). The two of them were asked to discuss test preparation techniques. The link is to the video clip from the show.</p>

114

<p>“Finding a balance between Mexican, American culture” (Colorado)</p>

<p>[Finding</a> a balance between Mexican, American culture | PostIndependent.com](<a href=“http://www.postindependent.com/article/20100726/VALLEYNEWS/100729913/1083&ParentProfile=1074]Finding”>http://www.postindependent.com/article/20100726/VALLEYNEWS/100729913/1083&ParentProfile=1074)</p>

<p>"Abril Loya came to the United States from Mexico with her parents and her little sister when she was 5. Last spring, she graduated from Glenwood Springs High School with honors. She was offered scholarships to attend Dartmouth, Brown and Princeton. She chose Princeton. </p>

<p>Loya: My family came here because my parents thought it would give us a better chance at doing great things with our lives. They have always tried to give us as many opportunities as possible, so we came here. And it has been an incredible opportunity. </p>

<p>We came from a little town in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. And I know I wouldn’t be where I am today if my parents hadn’t made the decision to leave everything they knew behind. . . . (continued)"</p>

115

<p>“Zach Hyman on his way to NHL Career after Princeton” (Toronto, Canada)</p>

<p>[Jewish</a> Tribune - Hyman and Rosen carving their paths towards NHL careers](<a href=“http://www.jewishtribune.ca/TribuneV2/index.php/201007213233/Hyman-and-Rosen-carving-their-paths-towards-NHL-careers.html]Jewish”>http://www.jewishtribune.ca/TribuneV2/index.php/201007213233/Hyman-and-Rosen-carving-their-paths-towards-NHL-careers.html)</p>

<p>The Florida Panthers and New York Islanders on June 26 at the National Hockey League Amateur Entry Draft in Los Angeles, CA, selected 18-year-old C Zach Hyman and 19-year-old G. Cody Rosen, respectively. Their paths to being drafted vary, but each possesses the skill set, confidence and determination to achieve an NHL career in the coming years. </p>

<p>Torontonian Hyman at 6’2” (profiled in the Jewish Tribune, Dec. 16, 2009) captained the CCHL’s Hamilton Jr. Red Wings this past season, notching 35G 40A in 49 regular season games and 7G 9A in 11 playoff games. In mid-April he was assistant captain of Canada’s U20 team at the 3 Nations tourney in Norrtallje, Sweden and named MVP against Finland, where he scored twice. </p>

<p>“Playing against top Swedish and Finnish teenagers was exciting,” he said. “Our head coach was NHL Hall of Famer Dale Hawerchuk, who stated my future hockey success would depend on continuing driving to the net and going after rebounds.” </p>

<p>Hyman met some teams at the NHL Scouting Combine in late May and attended a NHLPA general briefing for draft eligible players. “Great players like Brendan Shanahan talked about the future of the sport,” stated Hyman. “They also gave general advice on developments occurring after being selected by a team.” . . . </p>

<p>It was nerve wracking for Hyman waiting with family and friends at the Staples Center. When Florida selected him in the fifth round (123rd overall) he was overjoyed beyond excitement, “as it was something I dreamed about ever since I put on skates. I went to the draft table and met Panthers executives, including General Manager Dale Tallon and head Coach Peter DeBoer.” He looks forward to playing some day at the Panthers Bank Atlantic Centre Arena in Sunrise, FLA, and to being in a substantial south Florida Jewish-populated area. </p>

<p>Hyman acknowledged in a post draft interview the good influence of the Jewish school he recently graduated from, namely TanenbaumCHAT: “It’s a great school and helped provide balance with my education and athletics. I hope my selection will motivate future TanenbaumCHAT student athletes to pursue their dreams.” . . . </p>

<p>Hyman will play in Hamilton next season and hasn’t decided between medicine or business when attending Princeton University starting December 2011. He’ll work out at Princeton with some Red Wings players August 9-13 in preparation for Panthers rookie camp early September. “I hope to continue developing being a bigger, stronger and faster player,” he enthused. “Going to Princeton will be the best scenario towards eventually becoming a Florida Panther.” (continued)</p>

116

<p>Valedictorian Katrina Bushko (Maryland)</p>

<p>[Maryland:</a> Boonsboro grads told, ‘You write your own stories’](<a href=“Herald-Mail Media: Local News, Politics & Sports in Hagerstown, MD”>Herald-Mail Media: Local News, Politics & Sports in Hagerstown, MD)</p>

<p>"Valedictorian Katrina Bushko said in her speech that she was confident the Class of 2010 would enjoy great success.</p>

<p>“Do you know how much potential you hold?” said Bushko, who will attend Princeton University in the fall. “I’m looking at nurses and doctors, mathematicians and scientists, teachers and authors, artists and musicians, politicians and business people. We are capable of so much. As soon as we step out of this gym, we’ll start on a journey — a journey to realize our goals.” (continued)</p>

117

<p>“Valedictorian Ben Cook: Keene High School names its top 10 graduates-to-be” (New Hampshire)</p>

<p>[SentinelSource.com</a> |Keene High School names its top 10 graduates-to-be](<a href=“http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ANeHEcKwzxIJ:sentinelsource.com/articles/2010/06/05/news/local/free//id_402530.txt+“benjamin+a.+cook”+valedictorian+keene&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us]SentinelSource.com”>http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:ANeHEcKwzxIJ:sentinelsource.com/articles/2010/06/05/news/local/free//id_402530.txt+“benjamin+a.+cook”+valedictorian+keene&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us)</p>

<p>Keene High School has announced its top 10 graduating students for 2010. The graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 11, at 6 p.m. at Alumni Field (or Purbeck Gymnasium in inclement weather).</p>

<p>The class valedictorian is Benjamin A. Cook, son of Kelly and Tom Cook of Keene. He will attend Princeton University in Princeton, N.J., where he plans to major in physics. At Keene High, he is a member of the National Honor Society, the Envirothon team, the Math Team (where he was the N.H. Math Team first place senior), the Drama Club, and founder of the Physics Club. He is a National Merit Commended Scholar, a Brown Book Award recipient, a Bausch and Lomb Science Award recipient, and took Shakespeare for Performance at the St. Paul’s School Advanced Studies Program last summer. He is a volunteer coach for the Keene Middle School Mathcounts team and enjoys scuba diving.</p>

118

<p>“National Merit Scholar and Valedictorian Diane Stacy Shahan: Seniors Say Goodbye to Bluefield High” (West Virginia)</p>

<p>[Seniors</a> say goodbye to Bluefield High Local News Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV](<a href=“http://bdtonline.com/local/x1996914391/Seniors-say-goodbye-to-Bluefield-High]Seniors”>http://bdtonline.com/local/x1996914391/Seniors-say-goodbye-to-Bluefield-High)</p>

<p>"BLUEFIELD — One hundred forty-two young men and women closed one chapter of their lives and turned to a new page Friday evening when they came forward to accept the diplomas they earned at Bluefield High School.</p>

<p>The ceremony was scheduled to take place at Mitchell Stadium, but the venue was changed to the Bluefield Performing Arts Center at the high school due to heavy rain. Friends and family filled the ground floor and balcony of the center, and there were guests who had to watch the ceremony on televisions in the school’s cafeteria.</p>

<p>Cameras and camcorders were readied to memorialize the moment as the graduates, lined up under an outdoor awning, started filing into the school.</p>

<p>How did it feel to graduate?</p>

<p>“Amazing!” said Lindsey Whitt as she held up her arms in triumph. “We’re excited!”</p>

<p>The Valedictorian for the Class of 2010 is Diane Stacy Shahan, daughter of Michael and Jacqueline Shahan of Bramwell. Recipient of National Merit Scholarship, she will attend Princeton University." (continued)</p>

119

<p>“Brian Mills Anchors Strong Signing Group” (Oklahoma)</p>

<p>[Santa</a> Fe: Brian Mills anchors strong signing group… | Varsity High School Blogs](<a href=“http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/05/santa-fe-brian-mills-anchors-strong-signing-group/]Santa”>http://blog.newsok.com/highschoolsports/2010/02/05/santa-fe-brian-mills-anchors-strong-signing-group/)</p>

<p>Wasn’t too shocked to hear about Santa Fe’s Brian Mills heading to Princeton. Knew it would be one of those Ivy League schools.</p>

<p>Mills officially committed Friday and then signed on the dotted line Wednesday, leading a strong first class for coach Bruce Gowen.</p>

<p>A lot of people look at last year as a disappointment, but when you look at the numbers, that is tough to justify.</p>

<p>Mills was one of seven football kids to sign Wednesday. A couple of tough breaks derailed what could have been a memorable season for the Wolves.</p>

<p>Mills said Princeton had the right balance of athletics and academics. I guess you can say Princeton isn’t bad academically (sarcasm doesn’t come off too well in print).</p>

<p>It was a fun ceremony, and I took a goofy photo of some of the Santa Fe kids showing their support for Mills.</p>

120

<p>“Pondo to Princeton” (New Jersey)</p>

<p>[S.J&lt;/a&gt;. football stars Sarao and Pondo commit to colleges | Philadelphia Inquirer | 03/03/2010](<a href=“http://www.philly.com/inquirer/breaking/sports_breaking/20100303_S_J__football_stars_Sarao_and_Pondo_commit_to_colleges.html]S.J”>S.J. football stars Sarao and Pondo commit to colleges) </p>

<p>"Pondo to Princeton. Chris Pondo, a two-way end for Delsea’s two-time sectional champions, has decided to attend Princeton and play football for the Tigers.</p>

<p>The 6-4 Pondo, a top student, also considered Harvard.</p>

<p>“I took a visit there and it was beautiful,” Pondo said of the Princeton campus. “They want to win and it’s such a great school. I knew I couldn’t go wrong as far as Harvard and Princeton.” (continued)</p>