The North Jersey Student of the Week poll is back and it’s time to vote!
Each week during the school year, we solicit nominations from North Jersey high school staff and teachers of students who are doing something special at their school and in their community.
Like our long-running Athlete of the Week column that honors athletic achievements, the Student of the Week award seeks to spotlight academic achievements, extracurricular activities, volunteerism and other pursuits that are part of the lives of so many of our young scientists .
The poll normally launches on Monday morning and closes at 5pm on Thursday. On Friday around 12 noon we will announce the two best voters as students of the week with a story.
Nominees and poll are below the photo gallery
If you are a high school administrator/teacher interested in learning more about the program, now in its second year, please email studentoftheweek@northjersey.com. Again, only school officials can nominate students.
The survey is at the bottom of this story. Before you vote (and everyone can vote!), scroll down and read what the nominators had to say about these students. The list has been randomized and the nominations have been edited for clarity.
Aiyhm Alateiat, junior, Paterson Charter School for Science and Technology
As captain of the boys soccer team, Aiyhm shows exceptional leadership both on and off the field. His commitment to excellence is evident in every match, as he inspires his teammates with skill and sportsmanship. In addition, Aiyhm plays a critical role in the school’s JROTC program, where he demonstrates remarkable discipline, responsibility and a strong sense of duty while maintaining honor roll status. His contributions to our school community are invaluable and we believe they deserve to be recognised.
Ashleigh Tasnady, senior, Roxbury HS
An exemplary student-athlete who also gives back to the community in various ways, working with children with special needs and earning her Gold Award with the Girl Scouts. Ashleigh maintained a 3.9 GPA throughout high school, placing her on our High Honor Roll.
Gianna Weah, senior, Roxbury HS
Gianna is a leading member of our Sports Medicine Academy and has gained tremendous experience working with the staff at Morristown Hospital and the Orthopedic Institute of New Jersey. In addition to her academic success, Gianna is the president of our Student Council, a member of the Roxbury Interact Club, Varsity R club and Sports Medicine Club while competing on our varsity lacrosse and track and field teams.
Priya Loknauth, senior, Fair Lawn HS
Over the past two years, Priya has turned her passion for education into a thriving tutoring business. Knowledge Connect was founded when friends recognized that there were communities in the city that did not have equal access to quality academic support. Their goal was to use their enthusiasm for learning to make a difference – by creating academic resources for young scientists and helping them overcome the barriers to success.
Veena Loknauth, senior, Fair Lawn HS
Over the past two years, Veena has turned her passion for education into a thriving tutoring business. Knowledge Connect was founded when friends recognized that there were communities in the city that did not have equal access to quality academic support. The goal was to use their enthusiasm for learning to make a difference – by creating academic resources for young scientists and helping them overcome barriers to success.
Aracely Villavicencio, senior, Lodi HS
Aracely is a student leader, and this is reflected in her involvement in dual enrollment in Management with the Steven Institute of Technology Junior Commission and a Youth Group Core leader in the National Honor Society. Aracely works with the local community and helps and creates publicity for the local food bank and the events that take place in the library. Her dedication to both the school and the community she lives in is outstanding, as she also works closely with mentoring others to take on this role as well. Aracely follows a strict academic schedule. She values the importance of her academics in shaping her future.
Angel Camilo, senior, Lodi HS
Angel has grown during his time here at Lodi High School and become a model student and symbol of what hard work, perseverance and true dedication to the community looks like. In addition to his success in academics, he was also a crucial part of the Rams football team in his senior season, helping the team achieve as many wins as possible. His status within the school allowed him to become a student ambassador for our school goals, the Core Values Team, and engage with fellow students and younger students in the district. He is a representation of the very best of Lodi High School.
Brielle Perez, senior, North Arlington HS
Brielle is an excellent student and active member of the Viking community. She is involved in a variety of clubs and activities including: Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, Drama Club, Culinary Club, Astronomy Club and Biology Club. Brielle also does volunteer work, helps in the library and organizes charity events throughout the school. Brielle plans to attend a four-year college in the fall to pursue a career as a pediatric oncology nurse.
Maria Reyes Mendel, sophomore, North Arlington HS
Maria is a hardworking and dedicated young woman. She maintains good grades at NAHS while pursuing a number of interests and hobbies outside of school. You can often see Maria working on fashion designs in her notebook or writing sketches. Maria is extremely creative and is designing her own clothing line.
Aurellia Wijaya, senior, Fair Lawn HS
Aurellia’s dedication to academic excellence is reflected in her impressive GPA of 4.47 and her rigorous course load of five AP classes her senior year. As a Global Citizen Outreach Associate at the Asian Student Union, she encourages students to get involved and celebrate Asian culture. Aurellia has a love for violin and is associated with the Bergen Youth Orchestra. She is a driven and passionate individual. Even with her busy schedule, Aurellia still finds time to volunteer more than 100 hours at Valley Hospital.
Max Kirschner, senior, Fair Lawn HS
Max was a consistent presence on the Honor Roll from ninth through twelfth grade, with numerous appearances on the High Honor Roll. His membership in the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Math National Honor Society is a testament to his academic prowess. Max’s achievements extend far beyond his grades. He is a natural problem solver who thrives on challenges and consistently strives to make the most of every situation. His intellectual curiosity and genuine love of learning shine through in everything he does. His volunteer work at the local Hebrew school and active participation in the United Synagogue Youth (USY) group demonstrate his dedication to making a positive impact.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: STEM: North Jersey Student of the Week November 18-22
