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Articles by Denis J. Kelly
Eleven Watchung Hills students named finalists for National Merit scholarships
WARREN TWP. – All 11 Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2021 students who were named National Merit Semifinalists in September have since been named National Merit Finalists, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) of Evanston, Ill.
Watchung Hills captains to play Ivy League football
WARREN TWP. – Two Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) student-athletes, seniors Chad Martini of Warren Township and James Coslet of the Millington Section of Long Hill Township, announced their intentions to matriculate and play football next year. The announcements were made on Thursday, Feb, 4, at their high school’s media center.
Darrin Wolsko named Educator of the Year at Watchung Hills Regional High School
WARREN TWP. – Science teacher Darrin Wolsko has been selected as Educator of the Year for the 2020-21 school year at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS). Principal William Librera noted Wolsko has been teaching at the high school for 17 years, "and has made an indelible mark on student learning both in and out of the classroom." “As a ninth-grade biology teacher, he has assisted students in their transition from middle school to high school with an empathic attitude,” Librera said.
Six Watchung Hills seniors sign letters of intent to play sports at collegiate level
WARREN TWP. – Six Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) student-athletes in the Class of 2021 signed letters of intent to play intercollegiate athletics for the colleges they plan to attend next year on Wednesday, Nov. 11. That date is one of three days throughout the school year when most students make their intentions public about planning to play intercollegiate sports. The other two times during the school year are in February and in May.
Watchung Hills senior earns Hispanic Scholar recognition
WARREN TWP. - Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2021 student Anthony Roca of Warren Township has been selected for recognition by the National Hispanic Recognition Program as an Hispanic Scholar, according to a release from the College Board National Recognition Programs (CBNRP).
30 Watchung Hills students qualify for National Merit Commended List
WARREN TWP. – Some 30 Class of 2021 Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) students have been named to the 2021 National Merit Scholarship program Commended List, according to information released by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) of Evanston, Ill. They are: Arian Alam, Jacob D.
Watchung Hills welcomes 14 new teachers and staff members
WARREN TWP. – Fourteen new staff members, including administrators, teachers, leave replacement teachers, instructional aides and/or office staff, have been added to the lineup of employees at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) for the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year. Director of Human Resources and Professional Development Beth Scheiderman introduced the new employees to returning staff during professional development meetings before the start of the school year.
Recent Watchung Hills grad takes second place in national science and math competition
WARREN TWP. – Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2020 graduate Jagdeep Bhatia has won the second place prize in the 79th Regeneron Science Talent Search, and in so doing, he has been awarded $175,000 in prize money. Bhatia plans to continue his education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, Mass., and he plans to apply the prize money toward his continuing education.
Watchung Hills honors six retiring staff members
WARREN TWP. – The Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Board of Education acknowledged the retirement of several staffers with resolutions adopted at its meeting on Tuesday, June 16. Among them are: Front office support staffer Eliana Azar, culinary arts teacher Susan Jaslove, Director of Special Services Marianne Sales, school bus driver Herbert Schulz Jr., mathematics teacher Laurie Shoemaker, and attendance clerk and secretary to a vice principal Barbara Vargo.
Krutis, Saum awarded ‘Future Educators’ scholarships from Watchung Hills teachers
WARREN TWP. – Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2020 graduating seniors Alyssa Krutis and Kelly Saum have been named the recipients of Watchung Hills Regional Association (WHREA) Scholarship for Future Educators. “Congratulations to Alyssa Krutis and Kelly Saum for being selected as this year’s recipients of the WHREA Scholarship for Future Educators,” said WHRHS social studies teacher Greg O’Reilly, the WHREA president.
Watchung Hills announces Class of 2020 community scholarship recipients
WARREN TWP. – Dozens of graduating Watchung Hills Regional High School seniors have been awarded scholarships by local clubs, organizations and foundations. A video of the annual Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Community Awards Scholarships Ceremony was premiered on Wednesday, June 10. To view this video at any time, visit www.whpac/live. The Community Awards scholarships and recipients are as follows: Caruso, Thompson LLP Accounting Award: Matthew McCracken; James J.
Joyous atmosphere marks graduation car parade at Watchung Hills
1 of 17 Teachers, staffers and well-wishers applaud Watchung Hills Regional High School Class of 2020 graduates as a graduation car parade passes on Friday, June 19, at the high school. Class of 2020 Graduate Scott Romankow was piloted around the WHRHS campus during the Car Parade by his parents, Stephanie and David Romankow. Class of 2020 Graduate Sofie Marsillo was accompanied on her car parade journey by her mom, Nancy Marsillo, who just happens to be a WHRHS cross country coach.
Watchung Hills honors Class of 2020 senior award recipients
WARREN TWP. – The video of the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Senior Outstanding Achievement Awards Ceremony was premiered online on Thursday, June 11. To view the video of this ceremony, visit www.whpac.live. Principal William Librera welcomed all guests, as faculty members joined him in introducing the awards and student recipients.
38 inducted into National Arts Honor Society at Watchung Hills
WARREN TWP – Some 38 Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) students were inducted into the National Arts Honor Society (NAHS) at a virtual ceremony broadcast on the school’s website on Wednesday, May 27. Co-presidents for the chapter this year are seniors John Farley and Sarah Young, with junior Zuha Anjum serving as secretary. Faculty advisors are art tachers Kate Griffin and Emily Jordan. The virtual induction ceremony was presented as a pre-recorded video.
156 Watchung Hills students inducted into world language honor societies
WARREN TWP. – Some 156 Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) were inducted into World Language Honor Societies in Chinese, French, Italian and Spanish during a live-streamed ceremony Wednesday, May 20. During the same ceremony, World Language Department Supervisor Brad Commerford announced that some 57 students also received the state Department of Education (NJDOE) Seal of Literacy Recognition for demonstrating literacy in both English and a second world language.
Watchung Hills teachers share comments on educating from quarantine
WARREN TWP. – When a cross section of teachers at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) shared their observations about “distance teaching for distant learning” during the spring semester of the COVID-19 pandemic, there were several common threads that appeared in all their responses. Eight WHRHS teachers were asked to share their observations about distance teaching during the pandemic so far.
Watchung Hills students explore poetry through sidewalk chalk during distance learning
WARREN TWP. – Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) English teacher Jana Battiloro and her students discovered the use of a different kind of chalkboard and a “Poetry Inspiration Challenge” during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exercise helped students explore one way to harness the power of their own inner poet while reaching out with words of inspiration for their neighbors and themselves.
19 Watchung Hills student-athletes sign to play college sports
WARREN TWP. – Nineteen student-athletes in the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2020 who play interscholastic sports for the Warriors announced their intentions to attend next year and play intercollegiate sports at Division III colleges on May College Signing Day, Friday, May 1, at the school. Two additional students who signed on May 1 plans to play at New Jersey community colleges. A third student plans to play at a California community college.
Scholarships awarded to 2018 Watchung Hills Regional High School graduates
WARREN TWP. – Memorial Awards, PTO Scholarships, and Community and School Recognition Scholarships were presented to Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2018 graduating seniors at the annual scholarship ceremony, Wednesday night, June 13, in the school’s performing arts center. Senior Daniel Zimmer led the audience of student recipients and their families in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the evening, and Principal George Alexis welcomed everyone to WHRHS.
Scholarships awarded to 2018 Watchung Hills Regional High School graduates
WARREN TWP. – Memorial Awards, PTO Scholarships, and Community and School Recognition Scholarships were presented to Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2018 graduating seniors at the annual scholarship ceremony, Wednesday night, June 13, in the school's performing arts center. Senior Daniel Zimmer led the audience of student recipients and their families in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to begin the evening, and Principal George Alexis welcomed everyone to WHRHS.
'HillsHacks' attracts computer science students from across the region to Watchung Hills
WARREN TWP. – Forty-seven students, some as young as fourth graders, and some from as far away as East Brunswick Township and Middlesex Borough in Middlesex County and Bethlehem Township in Hunterdon County, participated in the 2020 HillsHacks hackathon on Sunday, Feb. 23, at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS). Coordinating the event for the second year were WHRHS seniors Jagdeep Bhatia and Mayur Sharma.
Four qualify as National Merit Scholarship finalists at Watchung Hills
WARREN TWP. – All four Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) students, who in September were named semifinalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program, have now qualified as 2020 finalists. This year’s WHRHS National Merit finalists are: Phillip Ding, Dave Ki, Jessica Young and Vivian Zhang. “Congratulations to Phillip, Dave, Jessica and Vivian, and to their families and teachers for this important and well-deserved honor,” said WHRHS Principal William J. Librera.
Tri-M Music Honor Society inducts 38 Watchung Hills students
WARREN TWP. – Some 38 student singers and instrumentalists were inducted as either returning members or newly inducted members at this year’s Tri-M Music Honor Society induction Ceremony, Thursday, Feb. 13, in the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) South Auditorium. The WHRHS chapter of the honor society is Chapter 1549.
Watchung Hills students showcase talents for a cause
1 of 12 Eleven acts performed and competed in the annual Project ALS Alliance Talent Show, Thursday, Feb. 6, in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS). All the performers gather on stage immediately after the show. Faculty Advisor for the ALS Alliance Club and talent show is English teacher Laura Goodson, third from left. Three of the acts were selected by a panel of faculty judges for first, second and third place honors at the ALS Talent Show.
Watchung Hills students share their passions through TEDx talks
WARREN TWP. – Eight Watchung Hills Regional High School students and one teacher formed the lineup of speakers at the 2020 edition of WHRHS TEDx, titled “Why Not,” on Thursday, Jan. 23, in the school’s Performing Arts Center (PAC). The student speakers were: sophomore Mariam Contractor; junior Kaitlyn Roth; junior Jacob Weber; sophomore Hannah Han; junior Mihika Iyer; sophomore Rowan Haffner; junior Maylin Zhu; and junior Gavin Chiu.
Watchung Hills performers delight audience at Script and Cue Winter Cabaret
1 of 12 Watchung Hills Regional High School student singers and thespians entertained faculty, parents, fellow students and fans at the 2019-20 Script and Cue Winter Cabaret on Thursday, Jan. 16, in the Performing Arts Center on campus. The performers gather for a group photo following the show. From left, senior Scott Romankow, of Gillette, accompanies juniors Malvika George, Melissa Miketen and Izzy Calvo, all of Warren.
Three Watchung Hills student-athletes commit to Division I programs
WARREN TWP. – Three student-athletes in the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Class of 2020 announced their intentions to attend next year and play intercollegiate sports at Division I colleges on Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the school. One of the athletes competes on the Warriors track and field team, and two compete on the fencing team.
Watchung Hills athletes participate in Autism Healthcare Collaborative ice skating fundraiser
WARREN TWP. - Some 80 student-athletes from Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) participated in December in a seasonal toy drive, helping to collect about 400 toys, and then distribute them to nearly as many children and families who benefit from the Autism Healthcare Collaborative (AHC) of Warren Township. On Saturday, Dec.
Acclaimed writer discusses novel, India-Pakistan partition with Watchung Hills students
WARREN TWP. – Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) English students and faculty were treated to meeting and hearing from Veera Hiranandani, the author of last summer’s WHRHS school-wide read, “The Night Diary,” on Tuesday, Dec. 17, in the school’s South Auditorium.
Watchung Hills senior is finalist for national STEM Talent Search Award
WARREN TWP. – Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) senior Jagdeep Bhatia, 17, of Green Brook Township, has been selected as one of 40 finalists nationwide in the Regeneron Science Talent Search 2020. The announcement of the 40 finalists was made on Monday, Jan. 20, in Tarrytown, N.Y., and Washington, D.C., by Science Talent Search sponsors, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Society for Science & the Public.
Watchung Hills musicians perform for next year's freshman class
WARREN TWP. – Eighth grade students at the four sending district middle schools assembled for the first time as the future Watchung Hills Regional Hugh School (WHRHS) Class of 2024 in their future scholastic home’s Performing Arts Center (PAC), on Friday morning, Dec. 20, to be given a warm musical Warrior welcome, and big brother and big sister introduction, at the annual WHRHS Eighth Grade Concert.
Watchung Hills students display musical prowess in advanced winter concert
WARREN TWP. – The audience at the advanced winter concert for symphonic band, wind ensemble, and advanced choir at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) on Thursday, Dec. 19, were treated to 21 compositions from the three groups featuring more than 200 instrumental and choral music students, all designed to entertain, enlighten, and demonstrate musical educational achievement. These student singers and musicians all auditioned to participate in these musical groups.
Watchung Hills concert band, concert choir, orchestra deliver energetic show
WARREN TWP. – An audience of students, parents, family members, friends, teachers, administrators and community well-wishers enjoyed an energetic and entertaining seasonal concert at the 2019-2020 school year’s “Winter Concert for Band, Choir, and Orchestra,” Thursday, Dec. 12, in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS). On the bill was a program of four compositions each from the WHRHS Concert Band, the WHRHS Concert Choir, and the WHRHS Orchestra.
Rwandan genocide survivor addresses Watchung Hills students
WARREN TWP. – At an age when he could have been a freshman at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS), guest speaker Kizito D. Kalima shared with today’s WHRHS students his story of how he was called upon to be another kind of unofficial “warrior:” That as a young teenager who narrowly escaped death multiple times during the brutal genocide in Rwanda, Africa. He spoke at the school on Thursday, Nov. 21, during National United Against Hate Week, Nov. 17 to 23.
Watchung Hills students deliver 'masterful performance' of fall drama, ‘Almost, Maine’
1 of 15 The cast of “Almost, Maine,” the Watchung Hills Regional High School fall drama that was presented Thursday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Nov. 23, at the WHRHS Performing Arts Center, takes a bow. Audiences gave the student actors and actresses standing ovations after all performances. 1 of 15 The cast of “Almost, Maine,” the Watchung Hills Regional High School fall drama that was presented Thursday, Nov. 21, through Saturday, Nov. 23, at the WHRHS Performing Arts Center, takes a bow.
Seven Watchung Hills students sign to play college sports
WARREN TWP. – Five student-athletes in the Class of 2020 who play for the Warriors of (WHRHS) announced their intentions to matriculate and play intercollegiate sports at Division I colleges on November College Signing Day. Wednesday, Nov. 13. As part of the same ceremony, two additional Warrior student-athletes announced their intentions to matriculate and play intercollegiate sports at Division II colleges.
Watchung Hills inducts 79 into National Honor Society
WARREN TWP. – Some 79 students were honored at the 41st induction ceremony of the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). The induction ceremony was held on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the school’s Performing Arts Center (PAC). As part of the same ceremony, the inducted students heard from WHRHS physics teacher Matthew Dellibovi, who had been selected by vote of the inducted students as the 2019-20 NHS Teacher of the Year.
Watchung Hills inducts 79 into National Honors Society
WARREN TWP. – Some 79 students were honored at the 41st induction ceremony of the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS). The induction ceremony was held on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the school’s Performing Arts Center (PAC). As part of the same ceremony, the inducted students heard from WHRHS physics tyeacher Matthew Dellibovi, who had been selected by vote of the inducted students as the 2019-20 NHS Teacher of the Year.
Watchung Hills holds annual 'Cabaret Night', fall drama 'Almost Maine' upcoming
1 of 12 Some 18 Watchung Hills Regional High School students gather on stage after they were thrilled to entertain an audience of friends, family members, faculty members and fans, singing some 15 songs at the 2019 Script and Cue sponsored Cabaret, Wednesday, Oct. 23 in the Performing Arts Center. All the student performers will be back on stage Thursday, Nov. 21, Friday, Nov. 22, and Saturday, Nov.
Watchung Hills senior to debate in Germany
WARREN TWP. – Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) senior Roopa Irakam, a Warren Township resident, will be traveling to Hamburg, Germany, on Tuesday, Nov. 12, as a member of the USA International Debate Team to participate in the first of several competitions against teams from across the globe. At Watchung Hills, she is co-president of the speech and debate club with her twin sister, Deepa Irakam. The student secretary of the club is Kaleigh Brunner, and treasurer is Achyuta Murli.
Watchung Hills Homecoming Court look back on high school memories
WARREN TWP. – When students of the Class of 2020 at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) selected Trevor Schmidt and Sarah Young as king and queen of this year’s homecoming court, they contributed to the making of a uniquely special moment for the halftime ceremony of this year’s WHRHS homecoming football game, Friday, Oct. 3, at Tozier Stadium.
Watchung Hills students among National Merit semifinalists, commended students
WARREN TWP. – Four Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) students have been named to the 2020 National Merit Semifinalist List, and another 26 WHRHS students have been named to the 2020 National Merit Commended List. This year’s WHRHS National Merit Semifinalists are: Phillip Ding, Dave Ki, Jessica Young and Vivian Zhang.
Students cheer for 'Warrior Pride' at Watchung Hills fall pep rally
WARREN TWP. – Seniors wearing white shirts, juniors wearing blue, sophomores wearing red and freshmen wearing green gathered in the stands of Tozier Stadium on Friday afternoon, Sept. 13, at the annual Fall Pep Rally to cheer for the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) fall athletic teams. Later that night, under the lights at the same Tozier Stadium, the football team won its second game of the season, defeating Plainfield High School 35-12. The week before, on Friday, Sept.
New teachers, staff welcomed at Watchung Hills Regional High School
WARREN TWP. – The Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) faculty and administration includes two new interim staff members, one returning staff member, and 14 new staff members with which to begin the 2019-2020 school year. The new members include five new world languages teachers, two new mathematics teachers, two new science teachers, and one each new social studies, English, and choral music teachers. There is also a new guidance counselor and a new vice principal.
Watchung hills names scholarship winners, senior award recipients
WARREN TWP. – Scores of Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) graduating seniors were congratulated on Tuesday, June 11, in the school’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) at a morning senior awards assembly for the Class of 2019; and at an evening memorial scholarship ceremony. Awards presented at the morning assembly were presented by WHRHS faculty and administrators.
Watchung Hills actors, crew present showcase of 'Great American Scenes'
WARREN TWP. – “Identity Crisis: A Showcase of Great American Scenes,” was presented by the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) chapter of the International Thespian Honors Society as part of the overall Spring Arts Festival, Wednesday, May 29, in the school’s Theatre Arts Studio. Among some 30 students involved in the production, four were student directors for the seven Great American scenes that were presented.
'HilllsHacks:' Watchung Hills students learn about coding, computer science
WARREN TWP. – Some 60 students, ranging from middle school through high school, dedicated a Sunday afternoon to learning more about computer coding, various computer languages and the importance of computer science education, all at the 2019 HillsHacks Day, Sunday, May 18, at Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS). Among the middle school students who attended HillsHacks were those from the middle schools in Warren Township, Watchung, Long Hill Township and Green Brook Township.
Morris wins Watchung Hills 'Future Educators' scholarship
WARREN TWP. – Graduating senior Elisabeth Morris has been selected as the 2019 recipient of the Watchung Hills Regional Education Association (WHREA) Scholarship for Future Educators. Social studies teacher Ken Karnas, president of the WHREA, congratulated Morris on behalf of the organization. “As a student who has excelled across the curriculum with a genuine love of learning, Morris is most deserving of this honor," said Karnas.
Watchung Hills instrumentalists impress in spring concert
WARREN TWP. - The audience of parents, relatives, guests, teachers and fellow students rewarded the Watchung Hills Regional High School (WHRHS) Symphonic Band and WHRHS Wind Ensemble with extended ovations following performances at the 2019 Spring Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Concert on Friday, May 31, in the school’s Performing Arts Center (PAC). The symphonic band featured 66 student musicians, including 8 seniors, and the wind ensemble featured 42 student musicians, including 18 seniors.
54 inducted into National Art Honor Society at Watchung Hills
1 of 16 Watchung Hills Regional High School senior Molly Davis stands beside a display of her art pieces during the high school's Spring Arts Festival on Wednesday, May 29. Davis, a Millington resident, plans to attend the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Manhattan, part of the State University Of New York. Watchung Hills Regional High School senior Molly Davis stands beside a display of her art pieces during the high school's Spring Arts Festival on Wednesday, May 29.
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