On Campus

Four area students were recently announced as winners of the 2nd Floor Youth Contest sponsored by 180, Turning Lives Around Inc., Hazlet. The 2nd Floor is a youth services program within 180, and the county’s only helpline staffed by trained professionals dedicated to guiding youth.

The contests were themed “What Makes a Good Friend?” Local winners of the art contest were Kristen Philpot, 13, an eighth-grader at Red Bank Middle School, $50 first place; Ricardo Lopez, 9, fourth grade at Red Bank Middle School, $35 second place; and Samantha Riordan, 10, fifth grade at Red Bank Middle School, $25 third place. The local winner of the poetry contest was Julianne Waxman, 13, an eight-grade student at W.R. Satz School, Holmdel, $25 third place.

John Daly, Hazlet, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Fairfield (Conn.) University, where he is majoring in film. He is also a senator in the student government, an honors recipient and writes for the campus newspaper. A graduate of Communications High School, Wall Township, he is the son of Maureen and James Daly.

Nicole DiBenedetto, Hazlet, was recently named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, where she is majoring in psychology. She is president of the Monmouth Chapter of the Psi Chi national honor society, and the psychology club. A 2001 graduate of Raritan High School, Hazlet, she is the daughter of Jane Schweibinz.

Kristen Falco, Lincroft section of Middletown, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Rowan University, Glassboro, where she is majoring in elementary and special education. A 2003 graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Donna and John Falco.

Middletown resident Daniel A. Lepore was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the School of Business at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, where he is majoring in economics. Lepore is also a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, the Omicron Delta Epsilon economic honor society, and Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society. A graduate of Middletown High School South, he is the son of Gina and Rocco Lepore.

Lauren LiPera, Matawan, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Albright College, Reading, Pa., where she is majoring in Latin American studies and criminology. The junior is a graduate of Matawan-Aberdeen Regional High School, Aberdeen.

Josie L. Musen, Holmdel, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science at Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill.

April Norbut, Aberdeen, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the College of Science and Health at William Paterson University, Wayne, where she is pursuing a bachelor of science degree in nursing. A senior, she is the daughter of Mary and Don Norbut.

James Nausedas Jr., Hazlet, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, where he is majoring in journalism and been listed on the dean’s list each semester he has been at the college. A 2001 graduate of Raritan High School, he is the son of Linda and James Nausedas Sr.

Middletown resident Melissa Zampella was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa., where she is majoring in history and education. A 2003 graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Susan and Art Zampella.

Jerry Joseph Aversano, of Middletown, recently received his master’s of business administration degree in finance and strategic management at the winter commencement exercises at Rutgers Business School, Newark. He received his bachelor of science degree with a double major of management and marketing at Fairfield (Conn.) University. A graduate of Mater Dei High School, New Monmouth section of Middletown, he is the son of Anna and Jerry Aversano Jr.

Middletown resident Joseph Cagnazzo recently received his bachelor of arts degree in interdisciplinary studies at the fall commencement exercises at the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Staley E. Meredith, Middletown, was recently named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. A pharmacy major, she is also a member of the wind ensemble and dance team. A graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Sharon and Jim Meredith.

Natalie Paterson, Lincroft section of Middletown, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Quinnipiac University, Hamden, Conn. A broadcast journalism major, she is a news reporter for the campus news show, and radio show host at the campus station. A 2003 graduate of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, she is the daughter of Linda and George Paterson.

Pennsylvania State University, University Park, announced the following local students named to the dean’s list for the fall semester:

Laureen Kelly, Ashley T. Pendle and Nicholas Pontecorvo, all of Hazlet;

Katherine A. Chang, Andrew Chou, Christine M. Chu, Heather M. Donald, Alexander S. Kovalevich, Gregory R. Laplante, Soren T. Tanis and Anthony P. Ursino, all of Holmdel; and

Daniel P. Abrahamsen, Robert W. Borzio, Kristin A. Bradley, Marisa L. Cavanaugh, Sharlene E. Edwards, Patrick W. Galindo, Lindsey M. Norton, Lauren L. Valasa and Jason G. Yakencheck, all of Middletown.

Allen Lin, a ninth-grader at Holmdel High School, recently earned top honors in a national poster contest designed to raise awareness of natural resources and related issues among young people. His poster, “The Living Soil,” placed first for grades seven through nine in the competition, which is sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts. Lin received a $100 savings bond.

More than 120 posters were entered

in the 14th annual contest. To advance to the national contest, the posters had to first win on the district level and then on the state level in a competition sponsored by the state Department of Agriculture-Soil Conservation Committee. First-place winners received $200 bonds, second-place winners $100 bonds, and third place received $50 bonds. There were more than 1,000 entries in the statewide contest.

Thomas J. Oddo, Hazlet, has had his oil painting “Lake Tahoe — Dixie Queen” accepted for the “Artists 2005” show at The Gallery, Mercer County. The show runs through April 1. A graduate of Raritan High School, Hazlet, he is a senior majoring in fine arts at The College of New Jersey, Ewing. He is the son of Angela and Ben Oddo.

Hazlet resident Nicole Ricchione was recently named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Ramapo College of New Jersey, Mahwah. She is a graduate of Raritan High School, Hazlet.

Maria A. Bolognese, Belford section of Middletown, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at The College of New Jersey, Ewing, where she is majoring in communications. A member of the National Communication Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, she is also a school ambassador and a member of the girls lacrosse team. A 2002 graduate of Middletown High School North, she is the daughter of Katharine and Robert Bolognese.

Ryan Brennessel, Middletown, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Delaware, Newark, where he is a freshman. A graduate of Middletown High School South, he is the son of Carolyn and Warren Brennessel.

Sarah Brennessel, Middletown, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pa., where she is majoring in psychology and education. A senior, she also has a private pilot’s license. A graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Carolyn and Warren Brennessel.

Alyson Hebding, Matawan, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the College of Arts and Sciences at Seton Hall University, South Orange. A 2003 graduate of Matawan Regional High School, Aberdeen, she is the daughter of Evelyn and Gene Hebding.

Amy L. Horn, Belford, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Delaware, Newark, where she is majoring in art history. A graduate of Middletown High School North, she is the daughter of Carol and Bob Horn.

Bridget A. Michels, Aberdeen, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Rowan University, Glassboro, where she is majoring in elementary education with an American studies co-major. A 2004 graduate of St. John Vianney High School, Holmdel, she is also eligible for the Thomas N. Bantiroglio Honors program at Rowan. She is the daughter of Dorothy and Kevin Michels.

Samantha Sabatos, Belford, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Manhattan College, Riverdale, N.Y.

Shannon Sullivan, Middletown, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the Laboratory Institute of Merchandising, New York City, where she is majoring in fashion marketing. A graduate of Middletown High School South, she is the daughter of Missy and Jim Sullivan.

Lawrence Silvestro of Holmdel was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck.

Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster, Pa., named the following local students to the dean’s list for the fall semester:

Lauren S. Witlin of Holmdel, a senior majoring in both Spanish and government. A graduate of the Marine Academy of Science and Technology, Sandy Hook, she is the daughter of Sharon and John Parziale of Holmdel, and Dr. Richard Witlin of New York City;

Emily M. White of Middletown, a junior majoring in English. A 2002 graduate of Middletown High School North, she is the daughter of Jill and Slaton White; and

Emily L. Eaves, Middletown, a 2003 graduate of Middletown High School North. She is the daughter of Dr. John and Linda Eaves.