Immaculata Senior Receives 2025 NJ Governor’s Award In Vocal Music

SOMERVILLE, NJ — Susan Polito of Basking Ridge, a student in the class of 2025 at Immaculata High School, has been honored with the 2025 NJ Governor's Award in Arts Education for Vocal Music.

This esteemed recognition celebrates her outstanding contributions to the arts and highlights the importance of arts education in New Jersey.

The NJ Governor's Awards in Arts Education honors students who demonstrate exceptional talent, creativity, and commitment to the arts.

Polito, a leader in the music program at Immaculata, is president of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, student director and pianist of the Music Ministry, member of the Spartan and Chamber Choirs, cast member in spring musicals, and vocalist for the Jazz Band.

Polito also participated as the top-scoring alto for three years in the Central Jersey Music Educators Association Regions choirs and as a member of the 2023 NJ All-State Mixed Choir. Singing with the 2024 All-State Treble Choir, Susan was recognized as the top-scoring vocalist across all voices.

She will participate in the National Association for Music Education 2025 All-Eastern Treble Choir in Hartford, Conn., this April.

In addition to vocal music, Polito is a passionate instrumentalist who plays clarinet in the Immaculata Marching Band and has performed as the principal harpist of the New Jersey All-State Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. She is a cantor at the Church of St. James in Basking Ridge.

Following graduation from Immaculata, Polito will continue her artistic journey by pursuing a degree in music business at New York University in the fall. She aspires to become a leader in the music industry, helping to make music accessible for all, while continuing to perform as a harpist and vocalist.

Immaculata High School, a coeducational college preparatory high school founded in 1962, is
committed to the development of the whole person within the framework of Catholic traditions and
values. Guided by the pillars of Faith, Scholarship, Service and Friendship, Immaculata integrates a
challenging academic curriculum that promotes spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and social
growth while fostering moral responsibility to self and others. For more information, visit:
immaculatahighschool.org.

About the NJ Governor's Awards in Arts Education

The NJ Governor's Awards in Arts Education is an annual program that recognizes the achievements of educators, students, and organizations that contribute to the arts in New Jersey.

The awards aim to promote the importance of arts education and inspire future generations of artists and creative thinkers.

The Governor’s Awards in Arts Education program is co-chaired by Arts Ed NJ and the NJ Department of Education. Awards are determined by the New Jersey Governor's Awards in Arts Education Planning Council which includes: Art Pride New Jersey Foundation, the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics Program (ACTSO); Art Educators of New Jersey; Art Administrators of New Jersey; Dance New Jersey; New Jersey Council of Teachers of English; New Jersey Speech and Debate League; New Jersey Music Educators Association; New Jersey Thespians; Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey (STANJ); Appel Farm Music & Arts Campus; New Jersey Performing Arts Center; and Young Audiences New Jersey & Eastern Pennsylvania.

Learn More about the New Jersey Governor’s Awards in Arts Education visit www.njgaae.org