The Montville Township Public Schools Board of Education honored the Montville Township High School ShopRite STARS for the 3rd Marking Period of the 2023-2024 school year. The presentation was made on Tuesday, April 16, 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 will generously donate $1,000 to the Class of 2024.
Assistant Principal Kenneth Nadzak introduced the outstanding MTHS students.
In the field of Academics, congratulations went to Tessa Kunkel.
“Tessa epitomizes the embodiment of academic excellence, extracurricular dedication, and a heartfelt commitment to community service,” Nadzak said. “With unwavering determination, Tessa has maintained an impressive 4.5+ GPA throughout high school, conquering a rigorous course load that included eight AP classes with five this year alone. Her stellar achievement of completing her junior year with all A+ grades stands as a testament to her diligence and academic prowess. Tessa’s academic success has also led to recognitions, such as an AP Scholar Award and Excellence in Science Award.”
In addition, Kunkel actively contributes to various organizations, and is an inductee into the National Honor Society and serves as Vice President of Public Relations for the Italian Honor Society.
“Tessa’s passion for science and healthcare propelled her into the Holy Name Hospital Healthcare Careers Discovery program, where she immersed herself in hands-on medical simulations,” Nadzak added. “In addition to a rigorous course-load, Tessa finds fulfillment in her extracurricular pursuits. As a dedicated member of the MTHS Varsity Swim team and Captain in her senior year, swimming has been an integral part of her identity. Beyond the pool, Tessa channels her energy into serving others, holding roles such as Secretary of the Best Buddies Club and Treasurer of Peers as Leaders. Moreover, she has initiated ‘Joe's Angels,’ a social media platform aimed at raising awareness and funds for humanitarian causes. Tessa's dedication to our community also extends to programs such as Saturdays in Motion, where she shares her love for swimming with children with autism.”
Kunkel will attend the University of Florida in the fall and major in Biology.
In the field of Athletics, congratulations went to Eli Kaufman.
“Eli has consistently been one of the most talented and accomplished athletes we have had at MTHS,” Nadzak said. “In Bowling, Eli was named to the 1st Team All-NJAC East, 1st Team All-Morris County, was selected as the Morris County Male Bowler of the Year and 1st Team All-State, an honor that only six bowlers are chosen for. Even more impressively, Eli finished 7th overall in the state individual tournament, had a 232 average this year and is only one of five in program history to bowl a 300 perfect score. Eli was also selected as the recipient of the 2022 Morris Hills Sportsmanship Award, a prestigious recognition saved for those who demonstrate the most exceptional personality and character traits.”
Kaufman also won the Individual State Sectional Championship in Golf as a sophomore, the Individual Morris County Championship as a junior and was 2023 Morris County Tournament Champion.
“Eli is the kind of unique individual who demonstrates talent in several different fields, Nadzak noted. In addition to Eli’s athletic ability, he has also earned an A+ in Symphonic Band each year since 9th grade, has taken five AP classes during his career at MTHS, including four this year, and has proudly maintained a 4.0+ GPA. For Eli, one of his greatest academic accomplishments was four years in the making. Since freshmen year, Eli has looked forward to take the AP Human Geography Maps Exam. Eli recently achieved a perfect score on this exam, a testament to his perseverance, dedication and determination.”
Kaufman has committed to Fordham University for the fall, where he will continue his golf career and major in International Relations with a future interest in law school.
In the field of the Arts, congratulations went to Leo Ervey.
“Leo is being recognized for their work and dedication to our Arts program over the course of the past four years,” Nadzak explained. “Specifically, Leo has been an integral part of our Stage Crew for numerous shows and productions, often serving as a backstage leader, presence, and role model. Stage Crew work can be challenging, grueling, tedious and sometimes seemingly thankless. But those who work in Stage Crew make productions happen, and although the people who perform on stage are the ones we often immediately give accolades to, those who work behind the scenes or out of the spotlight deserve just as much recognition. It is unique to find a student so committed to making meaningful, valuable contributions to the Arts program without acknowledgement, but Leo’s selflessness, dedication to our program and school, and tenacity, is deserving of this moment where all eyes are on them. Leo credits their positive attitude and ability to overcome any challenge as the reason for their success at MTHS, and for their continued desire for learning and growth. For example, Leo has taken increasingly difficult classes each year, culminating this year with their first AP class, AP Art, two Honors-level classes and Geoscience, which is the first time the course is running. Leo ended their sophomore and junior years with a 4.0+ GPA and will do the same at the end of senior year.”
Recently, first time in several years, MTHS offered a study abroad program during the summer of 2023. Ervey participated in, traveling to Italy on a CIEE scholarship.
In the fall, Ervey will attend Stockton University.
“Leo will major in Environmental Science to pursue a career that may one day help save our planet,” Nadzak added.
In the field of Community Service, congratulations went to Marlina Barbour.
“The vast majority of Marlina’s community service experience was achieved through her tireless participation in school clubs and organizations, explained Nadzak. “As Marlina will tell you, she is in ‘a lot of clubs;’ Forensics, Art Club, Poetry Club, Film Club, Key Club, the Mental Health Initiative, and Earth Club where she serves as Vice President.”
Nadzak noted that Barbour’s compassion and dedication to the community truly stands out as a member of InterACT.
“Marlina was the only student to show up for the initial interest meeting for InterACT earlier this year,” explained Nadzak. “Recognizing the value of the club and its positive impact on our community, Marlina quickly began recruiting others to join InterACT and organizing some impactful initiatives including a warm clothing drive, soup drive and a Bingo Night at the Chelsea Assisted Living Center in February. This event in particular was identified as a major achievement because of the sheer number of students who attended to play bingo with residents. Marlina is credited with not only keeping InterACT operational this year, but actually overseeing the growth of the club for future students.”
Outside of InterACT, Barbour also volunteers at the food bank in Boonton to make packages for those in need.
“When she is not volunteering,” Nadzak added, “Marlina is also a member of Stage Crew, Spring Track and Flag Football.”
Despite participation in many number of demanding activities, Barbour has maintained a 4.2+ GPA including three AP classes this year.
“Marlina is also one of a few students to double-up on a World Language, meaning she is currently taking two French classes,” noted Nadzak. “Marlina was also awarded the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy in French and is actively learning Russian and German because of a passion for culture and love of language.”
In the fall, Barbour will attend the University of Connecticut.
In the field of Leadership, congratulations went to Ryan Sun.
“We all know Ryan for his outstanding leadership of the Class of 2024,” Nadzak said of the President of the MTHS Class of 2024. “In this capacity, Ryan leads class meetings, promotes school spirit and coordinates and manages fundraisers for the benefit of the 275 other seniors graduating in a few short months. For example, in large part because of Ryan’s leadership, last year’s Tricky Tray was highly successful. Ryan led the team of other class officers to contact more than 300 businesses for the event, which ultimately raised over $30,000 and resulted in one of the most affordable Senior Breakfast and Prom functions in many years. Ryan is also Co-President of Montville’s History Day Club. In addition to being a two-time State Champion and National Qualifier at the event, Ryan’s passion for history is infectious and he is currently leading the revival of the club at MTHS. Additionally, Ryan is the founder of the RISE Club, which he started last year and now has over 100 members. RISE, which stands for Realize Improvements and Share Experiences, began as an opportunity for students to inspire change in each other through shared mutual learning, emphasizing life improvements in academics, athletics, mental health and wellness. Ryan is also a four-year Varsity Boys Tennis Player, serving as Captain for the past two years. In this role, Ryan facilitates drills during practice and offers motivation to teammates. Aside from the team at MTHS, Ryan has played over 370 competitive matches in USTA tournaments and UTR matches and achieved rank of top 328 in the nation. Ryan also works and volunteers during the summer at the Knoll Tennis Club, where he teaches tennis to beginners. Aside from his leadership experience in multiple clubs and organizations, Ryan was a 2nd place Nationals Winner in a team event at the 2023 FBLA E-Business Competition, has proudly maintained a 4.8+ GPA, is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, recipient of the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy in Chinese and Spanish, and inductee into the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society.”
Sun plans to major in Economics.
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.