Gan, Schwalje Honored as Scholar-Athletes

Two of Hillsborough High School’s finest were honored Wednesday night by the Somerset County High School Principals’ Association as scholar-athletes.

Honored at the 28th Annual Somerset County Interscholastic Athletic Association (SCIAA) award dinner, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Somerset, were Kenneth Gan and Molly Schwalje.

The award, according to Watchung Hills Regional High School Principal Dr. Thomas F. DiGanci, event chairperson, “acknowledges the accomplishments of a fine group of young men and women.”

“We recognize the excellence and commitment of our youth,” he said, adding that their achievements say that “anything can be accomplished.”

Each of the principals in the Somerset County high schools nominated two students,one male and one female, “for their work in the classroom and in the athletic arena,” explained Hillsborough High School Principal Karen Bingert, president of the principals’ association.

“The tradition of excellence continues today as a result of your outstanding achievements,” she told the 24 honorees.

Gan, who had previously played basketball, baseball and soccer, focused his attention on the basketball court during his HHS career, contributing to a 37-14 record during his junior and senior seasons. His academic credentials include taking nine AP courses and maintaining a 102.6 GPA. He will attend Stevens Institute of Technology in the fall.

His high school years have taught him “how much hard work can pay off both in academics and athletics. I’ve found that what you put into something is what you get out of it.”

Schwalje has lettered in lacrosse and field hockey, where she was captain. She earned Second Team All-Conference honors in 2009 and First Team All-Conference and First Team All-County recognition in 2010. Academically, she has maintained a 104.6 GPA. Active in the community as a Girl Scout,where she earned her Gold Award, and as a volunteer religious education teacher, Schwalje plans to pursue a career in nursing.

“I was surprised to receive this honor. There are so many talented people in our high school,” she said. “It is definitely an honor to be recognized for all the hard work you put in.”

“It is no small feat for a student to be recognized in only one of those areas (athletics or academics), but the time, energy, commitment, work ethic, dedication and tenacity required to be successful in both says a great deal about the students being honored this year,” Bingert said.

Following the introductions of the honorees, DiGanci told the audience, “You have just witnessed 28 extraordinary individuals who are only 17. We are in good hands.”

Also recognized during the event were three Somerset County principals who are retiring at the end of the 2010-2011 school year: Edmund H. Jones of Somerset County Vocational and Technical High School, Dr. James Riccobono of Bridgewater-Raritan High School and Timothy O’Halloran of Somerville High School.