Princeton Football Player Named NJSIAA Scholar Athlete

PRINCETON, NJ — A football player from Princeton High School has been named a scholar athlete by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), the state's governing body for high school sports announced on Monday.

Matthew Hawes was among 365 high school students who were recognized for their accomplishments. They were awarded a total of over $203,000 in college scholarships at the athletic association’s annual luncheon.

Under the ongoing scholar-athlete program, each NJSIAA member school – nearly every high school in the state – has the opportunity to select one senior student as its scholar-athlete of the year. Students who attend the luncheon event are then awarded, at minimum, a $500 college scholarship in recognition of their accomplishments.

“These student-athletes worked extremely hard in the classroom and in their respective sports to stand out from their peers,” NJSIAA Executive Director Steve Timko said. “This luncheon is our way of applauding their efforts and wishing them well as they begin college.”

Since 1993, the NJSIAA has honored more than 7,000 New Jersey high school students and distributed in excess of $1.5 million in college scholarships through its scholar program.

• Olivia Czelusniak, Ewing;
• Roy Forestano, Hamilton East (Steinert);
• Austin Lloyd, Hamilton North (Nottingham);
• Amanda Sensi, Hamilton West;
• Brian McGlew, Hightstown;
• Harrison Fu, Hopewell Valley;
• Jake Ari, Lawrence;
• Zachary Henig, Notre Dame;
• Lauren Kroepfl, Robbinsville;
• Whaydah Htoo, Trenton Central; and
• Courtney Skolka, West Windsor-Plainsboro South.

Patch file photo