Barnegat High School's Top Grads

Barnegat High School's top ten 2011 graduates shared more than good grades, says their principal, Dr. Joseph Saxton.

"This was the class that really decided they were going to work on developing and cultivating school pride," Saxton said. "They certainly did that this year."

The whole class was proud to be the first true graduating class from the relatively young high school, and the top ten seniors were in the vanguard when it came to representing Bengal pride, said Saxton.

"It was a close-knit group," he said. "They really worked with one another."

And they're not the only ones with pride.

"Our kids are amazing," Saxton said. "They continue to do amazing things, and when you ask them to step up to the plate, they do it."

Here are top academic scorers from the class of 2011:

1.

• Headed to: Quinnipiac University
• Major: Biology
• Member of: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Lacrosse, SADD, PROS, Rumble in the Jungle, Math League and NHS
• Awards: Valedictorian, Marine Corps, Army Reserve, Perfect Attendance (2010-2011), Superintendent’s Roundtable, Scholar-Athlete, two soccer coaches’ awards, Most Improved award in lacrosse, Leadership Award, Sportsmanship Award, Excellence in English, Student of the Month.
• Goals: Lauren intends to earn a Doctorate in biology and ultimately hopes to become a scientific researcher. She plans on concentrating in physiology and comparative biology.

2.

• Headed to: New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Major: Biomedical engineering
• Member of: Girls volleyball, girls lacrosse, swimming, National Honor Society (president, grade 12), Inside Scoop, Founder of Optimist Club (treasurer, grade 10; president grades 11 and 12), Math League, Student Government, PROS, Science Olympiad.
• Awards: Salutatorian, WOBM Student of the Week: December 2010; Bengal’s Heart Award, Student of the Month: May 2008; BHS Outstanding Senior in Mathematics & Science Star Award: June 2008; 23^rd Annual Ocean County Superintendents Roundtable Scholarship; Leadership & Service Award; Volleyball Coaches Award: Fall 2009, Fall 2010; Superintendent Honor Roll; Principal Honor Roll and Honor Roll grade 9-12; Elizabeth Otis Shear Foundation Scholarship Recipient: 2011.
• Goals: After college, Jasmine plans to attend dental school and continue her education in an orthodontics program. 

3. RACHEL O'BOYLE

• Headed to: Johns Hopkins University
• Major: Pre-med
  
• Member of: Varsity dance team (captain); Students Against Destructive Decisions, National Honors Society (secretary); Literary Magazine; Mr. Bengal; volunteer at SOCH, RLSH and Jewish Community Center of LBI.
• Awards: Student of the Month (grade 9), third place in Optimist Oratory contest, Superintendent's Honor Roll (grades 9-12), Principals Honor Roll (grades 9-12), Bengal’s Heart Award, Excellence in Civics, Dance Team Most Valuable Player
• Goals: After college, Rachel has her sights set on medical school at a prestigious university. She ultimately intends to be a pediatric oncologist at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia or another pediatric hospital. 

4. BRITTANY SAXTON

• Headed to: The College of New Jersey
  
• Major: History and Political Science
• Member of: JV and Varsity Fall, Winter, and Competition Cheerleading; JV, Freshman, and Varsity Lacrosse; Peer mediation; P.R.O.S.; Optimist Club (Vice President and member); National Honor Society (treasurer); Student Government (Junior Class Treasurer, Executive Board Treasurer); Blood Drive Chairperson; Junior Prom Committee; Mr. Bengal Chairperson.
• Awards: Student of the Month (grade 9 and 12), WOBM Student of the Week; B South Champions for Lacrosse; All-American Cheerleader (2010, 2011); Group 2 State Cheerleading Champions (2010, 2011); NHSCC third in the nation (2010, 2011); Honor Roll (Principal and Superintendant’s, grades 9 through 12).
• Goals: After graduating from the Honors Program and Women in Learning and Leadership Program at TCNJ, Brittany plans to attend law school.

5. MICHELLE FERRARA

• Headed to: New Jersey Institute of Technology
  
• Major: Mechanical engineering
• Member of: Soccer (grades 9-12), Winter-Track (11), Spring Track (9-12), Students Against Destructive Decisions (10-11), National Honors Society (11-12).
• Awards: Sophomore of the Month (June 2009), Perfect Attendance (June 2011), Outstanding Senior in Italian (June 2011), Senior of the Month (March 2011).
• Goals: After college, Michelle plans on gaining work experience outside the state before heading back to school for a Master's degree.

6. MICHAEL DICANDIA

• Headed to: Gettysburg College
• Major: Pre-med (Molecular Biology) and Political Science
  
• Member of: Baseball, Soccer, Peer Mediation, Boys State (returning member), Class President (grades 11 and 12),  National Honors Society, Tri-M, Science Olympiad, History Club.
• Awards: Baseball JV offensive player of the year, Varsity Most Dedicated Player, Soccer-Ocean County All-Star Team, Most Dedicated player, 7^th place cell Biology, Science Olympiad, US Marine Corps Academic Excellence Award, Superintendents Honor Roll, Principal’s Honor Roll, Honor Roll.
• Goals: Mike plans on attending medical school and specializing in cardiothoracic surgery. He hopes to travel the world, bringing medicine and medical education to the less fortunate, and eventually run for Congress to help improve the country's focus on medical ethics.

 7. JOSEPH LYNCH

• Headed to: Stevens Institute of Technology
• Major: Physics
  
• Member of: National Honor Society, Fishing Club, Optimist Club, Football, Cross Country, Winter Track and Field, Spring Track and Field.
• Awards: Winter track Captain, Perfect Attendance, Excellence in Physics Award, Spring Track Captain, Optimist Club Volunteerism Award
• Goals: Joseph hopes to secure a career in the sciences, probably in the field of physics of engineering.

8. JACOB KOVACS

• Headed to: Rutgers University
  
• Major: Engineering
  
• Member of: Varsity soccer, Lacrosse, Bowling, Optimist Club, Interact Club, National Honors Society, History Club, Fishing Club, Math League.
• Awards: Captain of Soccer and Lacrosse teams, Student of the Month
• Goals: Jacob hopes to become a successful engineer.
  

9. REBECCA MORRIS

• Headed to: William Patterson University
• Major: Music Management
• Member of: Bengal Theatre Company, International Thespian Society (BHS charter – Secretary and President), Vice President of the Chorus Club, member of Select Choir (grades 9-12), Peer Mediation. 
• Awards: Multiple awards for singing and acting through the International Thespian Society, Outstanding senior in Theatre, Certificate of Excellence in Vocals.
• Goals: Rebecca wants to remain heavily involved in music through the business aspect of the industry, and help musicians' dreams come true.

10. LAUREN BENZINGER

• Headed to: Rutgers University
• Major: Biochemistry, Pre-med
  
• Member of: Varsity Field Hockey, Varsity Winter and Spring Track, Freshman Lacrosse, Peer mediation, Student government (Vice President of Senior class), National Honors Society, Students Against Destructive Decisions, Rumble in the Jungle, Powder Puff.
• Awards: November Student of the Month (grade 11), Hustle Award and Most Improved Player for field hockey, Rookie of the Year for Winter Track, Honor Roll, Principal's Honor Roll, Superintendent’s Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance.
• Goals: Lauren hopes to become a pediatrician and work in a children's hospital in emergency pediatrics.