The Monroe Township School Board recognized student athletes from both Williamstown Middle and High School, as well as members of the latter’s band, at its meeting on April 23.
Dozens of people came out to honor not just the students, but parents and athletic staff, too.
“We’ve had some great conversations about putting our students front and center at our board meetings,” said Superintendent Brian McBride. “Tonight, we are here to recognize and celebrate these outstanding students at Williamstown Middle School and our high school, from athletic achievements to accomplishments in the arts.
“We are proud to honor their hard work and success.”
Also cited was the middle-school’s wrestling squad, which took the South Jersey Middle School Wrestling League tournament championship in February and the league’s dual championship in January.
“Their success reflects tireless effort, dedication and commitment to excellence,” McBride explained. “This group consistently puts in more practice time than any other middle-school practice program, and it showed. With both titles, it stands as one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history.
“These wrestlers demonstrated true championship heart and grit, and they are certainly a group to watch in the future.”
The board also recognized two Williamstown High students who secured seats on the New Jersey Music Education Association’s (NJMEA) all-state symphonic band: Trumpet player Olivia Montenegro and alto clarinet player Ava Byorick. The duo performed over the winter with fellow artists from schools across the state, including one appearance at the Atlantic City Convention Center.
The board also recognized several of the high-school’s winter sports teams: boys and girls track, the boys basketball team and the high-school wrestling team. They were recognized for both team and individual accomplishments. McBride gave credit to both the athletes and their parents.
“To all of our athletes and coaches,” he noted, “thank you for your hard work, your dedication to excellence. We are proud of you, everything you’ve accomplished and we’re grateful that we get to recognize you tonight. Again, congratulations to our athletes, to our parents, to our coaches, our athletic staff, to the trainers – and all the people in between.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into these programs and keeping fields and courts and everything ready.”
The next Monroe schol board is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday at the administration building. An executive session will begin at 6 p.m.
Members of Williamstown High School’s boys track team were recognized at the Monroe Township Board of Education session on April 23.
