View presentation ceremony: Montville Township Board of Education Meeting April 1, 2025, on the Montville Township Board of Education Meetings YouTube Channel.
The Montville Township Public Schools Board of Education [BOE] honored the Montville Township High School [MTHS] ShopRite STARS for the 3rd quarter marking period of the 2024-2025 school year. Certificates were presented during the Tuesday, April 1, 2025, Board of Education Meeting.
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 2025.
Assistant Principal Kenneth Nadzak introduced the outstanding MTHS students.
In the field of Academics, honors went to Heba Imran.
“Heba’s journey through high school has been marked by a relentless pursuit of academic excellence,” said Nadzak. “This is evidenced by the desire to take an increasingly challenging course load each year.”
Imran has taken seven AP classes over three years, including four during her senior year, culminating in a 4.1+ GPA.
“Heba’s love for learning also earned her other remarkable accomplishments, including the AP Scholar with Honor Award, being an inductee into the National Honor Society and French Honor Society, and the distinction of receiving the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy in French,” Nadzak added, while also stating that Imran particularly enjoys biology and medicine and has taken advantage of opportunities to further those interests while at MTHS.
“For example, through Heba’s Molecular Biology class, Heba received two publications in the National Center for Biotechnology,” explained Nadzak. “Heba has also presented her own research in molecular biology at Rutgers University’s Research Symposium. Additionally, Heba is the President of HOSA, MTHS’s healthcare club, spent over 100 hours volunteering her time in the Women’s Radiology Center at Hackensack Meridian Hospital, has volunteered over 100 hours as a member of Montville Township’s First Aid Squad for the past 18 months, and is currently attending EMT school, which is a commitment of 20 hours each week outside of school.”
Along with these outstanding achievements, Imran also makes time to serve as Co-Treasurer of Earth Club, Secretary of the Teen Advisory Board at the Montville Township Public Library, and as a member of REACH, has volunteered in town events at the Recreation Center, Lake Valhalla Club, Mira Vie, (formerly Chelsea) Assisted Living and Montville Township Public Schools’ [MTPS] elementary schools.
Imran plans to major in Biology in the fall and pursue a career in medicine.
In the field of Athletics, honors were awarded to Alexa Ciliotta.
“You may have read about Alexa within the past few weeks,” Nadzak told the Members of the BOE, “because she qualified for and participated in the New Jersey state finals for wrestling.”
Ciliotta was a wrestling finalist and placed 2nd in the entire state within her weight class. As a result of her outstanding season, Ciliotta was named by Garden State Wrestling as the Wrestler of the Year.
“Alexa also placed second at the North 1 Regions Tournament, won 2nd place in the Lady Cutter Classic Tournament, 1st place in the Lady Patriots Tournament, and has ended her high school wrestling career with a record of 40-6 (22-3 during senior year) earning her the acknowledgement of being one of the most talented female wrestlers in MTHS history,” Nadzak noted.
Outside of MTHS, Ciliotta also dedicates time to wrestling, and is a member of the New Jersey National Team.
Additionally, for the past two years, Ciliotta has been enrolled in the MTHS Share Time VoTech Program as a member of Allied Health.
“At VoTech, Alexa excels in the healthcare related experiences, including serving on the clinical rotation at Chilton Hospital,” Nadzak said. “At MTHS, Alexa has taken three AP classes during her high school career and has proudly maintained a 4.0 GPA. Alexa’s interests extend beyond wrestling and healthcare; she is in the process of creating her own private tumbling business and is a former Junior Olympic Gymnast.”
In the Fall, Ciliotta will attend Lehigh University where she plans to major in Biology on the Pre-Med track.
In the field of the Arts, Sabrina Spata received honors.
“Sabrina has been a dedicated musician during her career in Montville Township Public Schools,” Nadzak explained. “In her current role as the President of Orchestra, which she takes extremely seriously, Sabrina serves as a model to the other musicians for her work ethic and enthusiasm. She actively works to cultivate the membership, and lends herself to mentor younger students, including giving emotional support. She has also organized events and other types of activities to promote unity among the group. Sabrina prioritizes practicing her instrument and performing at her best at all Orchestra events. Sabrina is an inductee into the National Honor Society, Tri-M Music Honor Society, and French Honor Society, where she also serves as the Treasurer.”
“Aside from countless hours devoted to music,” continued Nadzak, “Sabrina is also a talented athlete, winning awards for most improved player on the Volleyball Team and a Flag Football Division Award while playing wide receiver.”
Additionally, in her sophomore year, Spata was nominated as one of only four members of her class to represent MTHS at the Morris County Youth Wellness Summit, an event that she attended along with other student leaders throughout the county to learn about, and promote, mental health and wellness as an integral part of school climate and culture.
“Sabrina has also been recognized for outstanding academic performance,” added Nadzak. “previously winning Underclass Awards in Physical Education, World Language and Financial Literacy.”
In the fall Spata plans to major in Nursing.
In the field of Community Service, Trevor Pasquale received the honors.
“Trevor is one of those very special people who enjoys giving back to the community, but is unwilling to accept praise for each act of kindness or selflessness,” Nadzak said. “Some of the most impressive work Trevor does to support our local community is through the Covenant House Foundation. Trevor participates in the annual ‘Sleep Out,’ where he joins dozens of other youth for a night in November and sleeps outside to raise awareness and money for youth experiencing homelessness. Trevor has also dedicated countless hours of time to St. Pius X Church throughout his high school career, helping to oversee Sunday School classes, running community-wide events, and leading faith-based discussions with children.”
At MTHS, Pasquale has been a dedicated member of the Student Council for the Class of 2025 since junior year, serving as the Vice President and raising over $2,500 by organizing various events like bake sales, apparel sales, and partnerships with local businesses.
“Trevor also serves as Co-President of DECA, and he qualified to compete in the National Competition last year. Trevor led the DECA State Community Service Project, raising over $2,000 for the American Cancer Society and Oasis Charity. Despite his commitment to community service, he is a dedicated learner as is evidenced by taking eight AP classes and maintaining a 4.4+ GPA,” Nadzak noted.
Pasquale is also the 1st Baseman for the MTHS Varsity Baseball Team, an active member of Make-A-Wish Club, and Sports Analytics Club.
“Trevor serves as the Manager of Seven Scoops ice cream store, having worked there since freshman year, " Nadzak stated.
“Pasquale is still deciding which college and which major to pursue in the fall, but, because of his resume, his options are limitless,” Nadzak concluded.
In the field of Leadership, honors were awarded to Jiya Patel.
“For the past four years, Jiya has served as the President of the Class of 2025, " Nadzak explained. “The title is well deserved. Jiya has clocked countless hours of work and dedication for the benefit of our senior class. Through vigorous fundraising and the creation of unique events such as a Spikeball Tournament, Jiya’s leadership has been instrumental to ensuring that the class has the most successful year possible, and she has done an amazing job. Jiya is also a leader in other facets of student life, including past Treasurer and current Vice President of Key Club. Because of her work in this capacity, Jiya was recognized and awarded the Distinguished Officer Award at DECON. Jiya is also Vice President of HOSA and an active member of FBLA and Women in STEM.”
In addition to being a leader for the Class of 2025 and in various clubs, Patel is a leader in the classroom, often serving as a role model and support for classmates.
“Jiya has taken ten AP classes during her high school career and has earned a 4.5+ GPA,” added Nadzak. “Jiya is an AP Scholar with Distinction Award recipient, inductee into the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society, and received the New Jersey Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish. Additionally, Jiya is an avid violinist having played in a youth orchestra for nine years. She also attends a Character Building Education School and volunteers in the summer in the Emergency Department at St. Joseph’s Wayne Medical Center.”
In the fall, Patel plans to major in Biology on the Pre-Dental path to pursue a career in Dentistry.
The presentation of awards for the 3rd Quarter ShopRite STARS can be viewed at the Montville Township Board of Education Meeting April 1, 2025, on the Montville Township Board of Education Meetings YouTube Channel.
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 careers. The MTHS ShopRite STARS have their photos displayed on a plaque in the school and also at the Parsippany Sunrise ShopRite. The third quarter MTHS ShopRite STARS were honored by the Montville Township Board of Education on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Sunrise ShopRite annually donates $1,000 to the MTHS graduating class’ senior activities.