The Montville Township Public Schools Board of Education honored the Montville Township High School [MTHS] ShopRite STARS for the 4th Marking Period of the 2023-2024 school year. The presentation was made on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
MTHS ShopRite STARS are nominated by faculty members in one of five different categories. The winners are selected by an administrative committee. Photos of the honored students are displayed in the MTHS office and at Sunrise ShopRite in Parsippany. In addition, Sunrise ShopRite has generously donated $1,000 to the Class of 2024.
Assistant Principal Kenneth Nadzak introduced the outstanding MTHS students.
Hannah Musilli was recognized in the field of Academics.
“Hannah is an incredibly gifted, dedicated and accomplished student who has proudly maintained a 4.1+ GPA throughout the past four years,” Nadzak said. “Hannah has a passion for learning and has demonstrated academic growth by taking an increasingly challenging course load during her career culminating in her senior year when she took AP classes for the very first time. Despite the rigor, Hannah is on track to pass each of those AP classes with an A and teachers attribute this to her hard work, dedication and enthusiasm.”
Nadzak noted that Musilli excels in a multitude of activities. The senior serves as the Vice President of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, is an inductee into the Italian Honor Society and National Honor Society, served as Marching Band Brass Captain, and is an active member of Muse, Chamber, Jazz and Symphonic Band.
“Just like she did in her academic and musical pursuits,” Nadzak continued, “Hannah committed herself fully to ensuring that she was accepted into the college of her dreams. Specifically, for the past two months, Hannah has attended live interviews and auditions while also balancing life at MTHS.”
Musilli’s effort’s were rewarded with acceptances into all seven schools to which she applied, including the highly competitive program at New York University’s Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development. Musilli is one of only 15 out of 110 to receive acceptance. She plans to major in Music Composition at the elite NYU program.
Sahiti Thopucherla was recognized in the field of Community Service.
“Sahiti is a compassionate and dedicated student who is recognized most for her impactful contributions to the Key Club,” explained Nadzak. “As a member of Key Club, Sahiti demonstrated strong leadership characteristics to help plan and organize fundraisers to help members of our local community. One such fundraiser is quite possibly the biggest one Key Club organizes each year, the Thanksgiving Food Drive. In order for the fundraiser to be successful, Sahiti met with the advisors to collaboratively develop a plan, spoke with fellow officers to delegate responsibilities and then mobilized teachers and students to donate food for families in need. In total, an incredible 2,300 food items were donated, sorted, organized, prepared and packaged for delivery to 49 families in Montville Township.”
Thopucherla’s efforts also meant that the Montville Food Pantry received a large shipment of food items to be placed immediately on shelves. Additionally, because of the success of this year’s Food Drive, Key Club organized a Christmas Food Drive for the very first time and donated items to 7 more local families.
“Sahiti’s fundraising efforts also have an impact beyond our community; she is especially proud that her work has helped charities such as Operation Smile,” Nadzak added.
Despite the many hours Thopucherla dedicates to helping others, the senior is also tremendously successful in her classes and has maintained a 4.2+ GPA.
In the fall, Thopucherla will attend Rutgers University and major in Human Resource Management.
“Sahiti’s intention is to continue helping people in meaningful ways,” Nadzak stated.
Karli Fortunato was recognized in the field of Leadership.
“Karli has many qualities needed for good leaders to become great,” Nadzak said. “She is intelligent, selfless, empathetic, hardworking and determined.”
As a demonstration of her leadership in the classroom, Fortunato has maintained a 4.2+ GPA while being highly successful in some of the most challenging MTHS courses, including: Microbiology, Research in Molecular Biology, and 8 AP courses.
“As a demonstration of her selflessness,” Nadzak added, “Karli is a student ambassador and assists new students as they transition to MTHS. In this capacity, Karli has helped organize and participate in several important events including New Student Orientation and peer mentoring.”
Nadzak went on to say that, “As a demonstration of her empathy, Karli volunteers at Pathways, where she was selected to help teach communication skills to students with disabilities. Karli also volunteers her time at Mt. Pleasant Animal Hospital and Chilton Hospital; an interest in the medical field also led to her participation in the Global Health Leaders Conference at Johns Hopkins.”
Fortunato has also been a leader on the MTHS Cheerleading Team.
“Since freshman year,” Nadzak explained, “Karli has demonstrated of her dedicated work ethic.”
Additionally, through the Montville Township Competition Team, Fortunato is the head coach for 2nd through 4th graders, where she choreographs dances and cheer routines, and promotes positivity and responsibility. The senior is also a dedicated volunteer for the MTHS Student Activities Council [SAC].
“Karli’s positive attitude, kindness and leadership, have made MTHS an even better school. She will be missed,” Nadzak concluded.
In the fall, Fortunato will attend Wake Forest University and major in Psychology on a pre-med track.
James Conlon was recognized in the field of Athletics.
“Jimmy is the kind of athlete who gets to practice or the weight room or a team meeting before anyone else and leaves after everyone else, Nadzak explained. “Because of his positive attitude, leadership abilities and overall character, Jimmy is revered as a role model. In terms of individual achievement, Jimmy was the Boys Lacrosse Senior Captain during this past season, earned Second Team NJAC United for Defense and won 50 ground balls this year. But Jimmy is much more proud of the accolades that impact his entire team, some of which are intangible. For example, his Coach says Jimmy’s energy ‘sparks the excitement of the team’ and that he has always been ‘a positive influence on our younger players both on and off the field.’”
Conlon is a two-sport varsity athlete in lacrosse and football. Additionally, the senior has worked hard off the field and maintains good grades.
“When I met with Jimmy to share the news that he won this award, he said he wanted to be known as a ‘good teammate, a good classmate and a good son,’” Nadzak added. “I think we can all agree that Jimmy achieves these goals every day.”
In the fall, Conlon will attend Fairleigh Dickinson University to major in Criminology and has committed to continuing his lacrosse career on their college team.
Annalisa Kilanowski was recognized in the field of the Arts,
“For the past four years, Annalisa has been featured on numerous winner’s lists from various art projects and her work has been proudly displayed in cases and display boards around the MTHS Rotunda,” Nadzak said. “Annalisa is recognized for being one of only a few students to take multiple art classes each year of their high school career including Photo Studio last year and AP Art this year, both of which are the most advanced courses offered in their respective areas.”
A senior, Kilanowski’s accomplishments also include maintaining a 4.1+ GPA and being an active member of Yearbook Club, ascending to the position of Senior Co-Editor-In-Chief. Additionally, Kilanowski has been a dedicated member of her competition dance team for the past twelve years, excelling in all styles of dance. Her commitment extends beyond performing; she has also served as a student teacher throughout middle and high school, assisting multiple teachers each week and gaining invaluable experience in both classroom management and team collaboration. Over the years, Kilanowski has worked with dancers aged 2-13, nurturing her passion for dance and teaching.
“If Annalisa’s passion for teaching others can be traced to a source, it is likely that both of her parents, Dr. Kurt Kilanowski and Mrs. Jennifer Kilanowski, are two of the outstanding educators I am privileged to work with at MTHS,” Nadzak said.
In the fall, Kilanowski has been accepted into the Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program at Sacred Heart, where she was also offered a role in the university’s dance company.
During the Montville Township Board of Education Meeting, the MTHS ShopRite STARS met each of the Board of Education Members. Each of the STARS also received a certificate from the BOE.
The ShopRite STARS Awards are designed to recognize the most consistently active and engaged students in a school population. Students are chosen each marking period throughout the school year. Seniors are nominated for consistent and outstanding performance during their four year high school career. The MTHS ShopRite STARS have their photos displayed on a plaque in the school and also at the Parsippany Sunrise ShopRite. Sunrise ShopRite annually donates $1,000 to the MTHS graduating class’ senior activities.