County Principals Honor Amy Park, Greg Stone

Every graduating class honors the scholars who’ve achieved notable academic records. Similarly, every graduating class honors the athletes who have made their mark on field, track or court. Doubly honored are those few who make noteworthy records in both areas simultaneously: scholarship and athletics. They are the ones who best epitomize the classic ideal of “a sound mind in a sound body,” scholar-athletes.

Two members of’s Class of  2012, and, who so ably fulfill the dual role of scholar and athlete, were among the 32 graduating seniors who were honored on May 16 at the Somerset County Scholar Athlete Dinner, held at the Doubletree Hotel, Somerset. The event, sponsored by the Somerset County High School Principals’ Association, annually honors one senior female and one senior male from each of the county’s secondary schools, both public and private.

Amy and Gregory were both commended for fine sportsmanship, determination, athletic skills, and academic achievement at the organization’s 29th such annual event—and applauded by the administrators, coaches, parents and friends who attended the affair. As each of the county’s honorees was called forward, a larger-than-life portrait was projected before the audience while the event’s presenter, Dr. Tom DiGanci, recited the senior’s accomplishments and presented a commemorative gift.

Amy’s scholastic record is such that she was named to the National Honor Society, whose admission standards for scholarship are recognized countrywide. She has tutored other students and speaks three languages fluently (English, Korean, Spanish). She has been a member of Chorus for three years and serves as a peer leader. Amy’s leadership is recognized in that she has captained all three varsity teams in which she has been involved: track, basketball and soccer.

Amy has played basketball since sixth grade—six years altogether, was a four-year starter in high school and captained in her senior year. Each year she has been on a winning team that captured titles on the All Skyland and/or All Somerset County levels.

She has competed in track for all four years, serving as captain in both junior and senior years.

She has also played soccer since sixth grade in school, and played on a club team since grade two, and, again, captained the team in her senior year. Since tenth grade, she’s been on a team that captured titles as First Team All Conference, All County or All Somerset County.

The Warren resident has also been active in missionary work for her church, having participated in the group’s Katrina Relief efforts in New Orleans as well as in rural parts of the Dominican Republic. She will join their efforts again in Nicaragua this summer.

Amy will begin her college studies in September at the University of New Haven, Connecticut.

Greg is an Honor Roll student whose achievements both on and off the court have culminated in his being designated as a 2012 Scholar Athlete.

Greg has been named both Defensive Player of the Year and selected for the Anthony J. Bottoni Award in Basketball. He is also a two-year Varsity letter winner (starting forward) and captain of the soccer team.

He serves as a Peer Leader and he also uses this experience mentoring middle school boys as a “senior intern” at his church, New Providence Presbyterian.

The senior class named him to the homecoming court and subsequently crowned him as “Mr. Watchung Hills.”

Greg, who has been named to the National Society of High School Scholars and to the English National Honor Society, has also shown entrepreneurial talents. He developed a summer lawn-mowing/ landscaping business and he has also served as an intern with a Warren-based accounting firm during the tax season.

The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants recently honored him with a scholarship, which he will apply to his tuition at Elon University (North Carolina).

Dr. DiGanci, who has been the organization’s awards presenter for the past 10 years, and who was described as the “driving force” of the Somerset County Secondary Schools Association, was himself presented with a silver bowl trophy and a bouquet in commemoration of his outstanding inspiration and support.