The six highest ranking female seniors from the Freehold Regional High School District were honored during a recent meeting of the Freehold Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW).
The awards that are presented to the young women are named for Rose Fishkin, who was a member of the branch, a Cornell University graduate and a believer in lifelong education for women, according to a press release.
AAUW members thanked the community for its continued support of the organization’s annual used book sale, which enables the AAUW to fund the awards.
This year’s honorees are:
Heather Colleen Berger, Manalapan High School. Heather is secretary of the National Honor Society, treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society, an AP Scholar with distinction and a National Merit student. She has been a student council member for four years, works with the “Save a Brave” program and is treasurer of the environmental organization. Heather has studied dance and commutes to Manhattan for the Broadway Dance Center’s Children’s Program. She tutors algebra and geometry and works as a counselor at a local day camp.
Raeann Giannattasio, Colts Neck High School. Raeann is a student in the Law and Public Service learning center. She is an AP Scholar with distinction and a National Merit Scholar. Raeann has been involved with the Science League and has been president of Students Against Destructive Decisions, which she founded. She was named Colts Neck’s Athlete of the Year following her performance in cross country. She will be attending the University of Virginia.
Tessa Catuogno, Freehold High School. Tessa attends the Medical Sciences learning center. She is an active member of the National Honor Society and is a board member of the math and Spanish honor societies. She helps students from Spanish speaking families with their homework and participates in Math League competitions, winter track and soccer. She participated in a summer oncology program at the New Jersey Cancer Institute, and at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology she spent two weeks building radar systems. Tessa is an AP scholar with distinction and a National Merit Scholar finalist. The Honors College at Rutgers University is her college of choice and Tessa wants to major in biomedical engineering.
Roxanna Altus, Howell High School. Roxanna is involved in the Scholars Center for Humanities and is co-president of Howell’s Shakespeare Club. She performed in the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare competition and was a finalist in Monmouth County’s Branch Competition. Roxanna has received a summer cum laude honor award in the National Latin exam and from the age of 12 she has volunteered at the Artisan art school in Marlboro where she helps children develop a love and appreciation for art. She will be attending Rutgers University.
Christy Lee, Marlboro High School. Christy is involved in the business career program at Marlboro. She is the COO of the Business Learning Center, participates in Future Business Leaders of America and is president of DECA. Christy is a finalist for a National Merit scholarship and a Quest Bridge Award which provides high-achieving students with the financial opportunity to attend top colleges and universities. She will attend Princeton University.
Anna H. Landre, Freehold Township High School. Anna is involved in the Contemporary Global Issues program and is captain of the speech and debate team. She competed in the New Jersey Forensic League as well as in National Speech and Debate Association competitions at Harvard and Princeton. Anna is president of her school’s book club and writes for the school newspaper. She is state ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, a Girl Scout counselor at horseback riding school and is involved with her church. Anna is interested in international relationships which she plans to pursue in college.
The Freehold Branch of AAUW will hold its annual used book sale from June 21-24 with more than 20,000 books for sale. Most books will sell between 50 cents and $2. Children’s books will sell for 25 cents to $1.50. The sale will take place at the First United Methodist Church, 91 W. Main St., Freehold.
A special preview of the book sale will be held from 1-8 p.m. June 21 and admission will be $10. Admission to the book sale at all other times is free. The book sale on June 22-23 will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and on June 24 (bag day, $5 for a bag of books) from 9 a.m. 3 p.m.
