High School Students Receive Award for Academic Excellence

Seven students from Point Pleasant Borough High School have been named recipients of this year’s Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholars Award.

Thomas Alameda (not pictured), Peter Cooke (not pictured), Tori Heckendorn, Deborah Moran, David Piccolella, Peter Swetits, and Erica Thieleman have each been awarded $1,000 scholarship in recognition of their academic achievements.

Named after the seventeenth president of Rutgers University, Dr. Edward J. Bloustein, the Bloustein Scholarship, recognizes students in the top ten percent of their class who have a minimum combined SAT score of 1260, or rank first, second or third in their class at the end of their junior year.

“These students are outstanding role models for our entire student body,” said Point Pleasant High School Principal Linda Rocco. “They successfully balance their rigorous academic schedules with in a wide variety of extracurricular activities.”

Collectively, the Bloustein award winners have been involved in the National Honor Society, Key Club, Student Council, Leo Club, Environmental Club, Future Business Leaders of America, Performing Arts, Math & Science League, Baseball,
Football, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Cross Country, and Track, not to mention their myriad outside activities.

"These students many activities and accomplishments offer a comprehensive representation of the diverse educational programming available in Point Pleasant Schools," said Superintendent of Schools Vincent S. Smith. "By taking advantage of so many of the district's program offerings, these students have truly maximized their educational experience. Receipt of this award is further testament to their tremendous academic promise and I look forward to witnessing their future accomplishments."

The Higher Education Student Assistance Authority (HESAA), an independent agency of the State of New Jersey, administers the Garden State Scholarship Program, which includes the Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar Awards. Each year, more than 7,000 students statewide receive scholarships in recognition of their high level of academic achievement.

Students may use these awards to continue their education at New Jersey institutions of higher education. For more information about HESAA's programs, call 1-800-792-8670 or visit online at www.hesaa.org.