By Ally Tobler
The Morristown High School Class of 2016 will graduate on Wednesday, June 22, at 7 pm in the Mennen Arena, in Morris Township.
Five students will address their classmates: Ryan Cunningham (valedictorian), Ryan Skoletsky (salutatorian), Jian Zabalerio (school president), Ben Edwards (class president) and Marisa Joel (vice president).
Let’s learn more about them.
Ryan Cunningham, valedictorian.
Cunningham says he has evolved from “a nervous and slightly intimidated freshman” into “an optimistic and confident senior ready to take the next step.”
That next step will be Notre Dame, where he plans to study engineering and eventually get his MBA.
Throughout high school, Cunningham participated in multiple clubs, and even co-created the MHS Engineering Club. He believes his optimism and motivation have served him well. While “mistakes are short-lived, the lessons that one can learn from them are endless,” he believes.
Cunningham says he always will remember the friends, teachers, and coaches who gave him the foundation he needed to thrive. “Overall, I cherish the time I have spent at MHS,” he says. “It’s helped me grow into the person I am today.”
Ryan Skoletsky, salutatorian
In August, Skoletsky will be studying in the Honors College at the University of Maryland College Park, as a part of its Gemstone Program.
Skoletsky has led as first chair viola in the high school orchestra for all four years of his MHS career. He also competed in mathematical business contests with the Future Business Leaders of America club, led the school in New Jersey Science League Physics testing, participated in Speech and Debate, and was inducted into three honors societies.
“While everyone grows physically, learns more, makes new friends,” he says, “I take pride in the way I dedicated myself to my goals, became a more well-rounded individual, and embraced a persona of kindness, modesty, and enthusiasm.”
Skoletsky credits the school for being a “truly unbelievable place for meeting outstanding individuals,” and says he personally has been impacted by his teachers, Mr. Danese, Mrs. Henry, Ms. Dabinett, Mrs. Davis, Mr. Emma, Mrs. Kemp and Mr. Arntzen, as well as his guidance counselor Mr. Norton.
Jian Zabalerio, school president:
Zabalerio has dedicated much of her time and effort over the last four years to bolstering school spirit and pride. She has fulfilled the roles of Secretary of Charities, Vice President, and President of Student Government.
She believes she has “become more driven and more resilient” in part due to multiple knee injuries that constantly interrupted her basketball seasons.
“A great deal of my drive now is a direct result of the test of character I went through because of my injury-ridden career,” she says.
In the fall, Zabalerio will head to Boston College, where she plans to double major in Marketing and Political Science.
She always will remember the pride that Morristown High School possesses.
“There truly is nothing like it,” she says. “And to all the non-Motown natives, I’m a firm believer that Motown is better than yo town and yo town is better than no town.”
Ben Edwards (class president) and Marisa Joel (vice president):
Both Edwards and Joel worked hard during their time in office, raising enough money for a very successful senior prom and donating $5,000 back to the school.
Accomplishments also include founding the MHS Dodgeball Tournament, carrying out a successful school talent show and junior prom, and hosting other activities that unified the class.
Ms. Ranawat and Mr. Sedita helped the class officers with these events. Edwards and Joel both feel that their work ethic and efforts to give back to the school have allowed them “to create a friendly environment for the kids of Morristown.”
Edwards will study business at Bentley University and compete on the cross country and track teams.
Joel will attend the Honors Program at Rutgers University, to study biochemistry. She also will be a cheerleader on the Rutgers co-ed cheerleading team.
MHS senior Ally Tobler will study journalism at the University of Maryland this fall.
