Student Achievement Lauded

Continuing a tradition established last year, a local food chain once again made a big donation to and recognized three outstanding students at Tuesday’s regular meeting of the .

– a restaurant chain based off Atlantic Avenue with about 600 locations nationwide -- donated $15,000 to Wall schools to help fund extra-curricular activities.

Peter Cancro, owner of Jersey Mike’s, awarded the school the money for the second year running to help bolster programs that might otherwise face a budget axe in times of belt-tightening. Districts in Point Pleasant Borough, Point Pleasant Beach and Manasquan also received identical donations.

“Academics is number one,’’ Cancro said. “But extra-curricular activities have to be at the forefront as well.’’

Conor Mulholland, Amanda Lutick, and Morgan Sprengel, all 17, were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement, good character, involvement in extra-curricular activities and community service. The trio was picked by a group of teachers and administrators.

Wall High School Principal Rosaleen Sirchio introduced each of the Jersey Mike’s Student Stand-Outs, reading off an impressive list of accomplishments for each of the trio.

Lutick is ranked number two in the senior class. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the World Language Honor Society. Lutick has been on the High Honor Roll every marking period while a student in the Wall schools.  Lutick is also an AP Scholar and a Wall High Scholar Athlete. She is president of the school’s anti-bullying task force and involved in numerous school activities and has been on a plethora of sports teams and continually gives her time to those in need, Sirchio said.

Sprengel is a scholar-athlete, a High Honor Roll student, has won Student of the Marking Period, and has won Student of the Month and Knight of the Week awards. Sprengel is the senior captain of the Wall High School Cheerleading Sideline Team and a member of the competitive cheering squad, winning numerous awards. She has coordinated numerous school spirit days, and participated in several school clubs.

Mulholland is also a scholar-athlete ranked in the top 10 percent of the senior class. He earned the Tri-athlete Award in his junior year by participating in three varsity sports teams: football, basketball and baseball. He has won Student of the Month and Knight of the Week awards. He is enrolled in two Advanced Placement and two Honors courses, maintaining impressive grades. He is a member of the World Language Club, Math Club, National Honor Society and Student Council. He has worked with the American Cancer Society and the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean counties, Sirchio said.  

Cancro, owner of Jersey Mike’s, said the annual donations are as much to bolster extra-curricular activities as to raise awareness about their importance in school life and the development of character.

“Budgets are being cut all across the country,’’ Cancro said. “What that means is that they’re looking to cut programs, now and in the future – for music and arts, even teachers staying after for Photography Club, or different clubs and organizations. And yes, of course, sports.’’