The Eagle Eye Alumni Newsletter

UPDATED pandemic-related District News Alerts can be found at www.eht.k12.nj.us

SCHOOL CLOSURE EXTENDED TO MAY 15, 2020

Like all school districts in the state of New Jersey, under the directive of Governor Phil Murphy, the Egg Harbor Township School District is closed through at least May 15, 2020. We will continue to provide updates via phone call, email, and social media. Central Administration, school administrators, and staff, will continue to work remotely. Sending an email is the most effective way to reach our employees. Email addresses for Central Administration employees are available on the District website. Email addresses for school administration and staff members are available on their respective school websites. Thank you for your continued patience.

The 2017 Egg Harbor Township Softball Team is considered one of the area’s best softball teams the region has ever seen, according to the Press of Atlantic City.

The 2017 Egg Harbor Township High School Girls Softball Team was recently voted the Greatest High School Team Since 2000 by Press of Atlantic City readers.

The Eagles Softball Team finished 23-1 and won the State Group IV title. They beat North Hunterdon 2-1 in the state final and were the top seed in the Tournament of Champions.

$5 "PROUD ALUM" CAR MAGNETS can be purchased at the High School Store, or ordered via email to: gregorye@eht.k12.nj.us

With 21 years of formal education under his belt, Adam Santoro can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

After receiving his undergraduate degree in Biochemistry from Villanova University, and his doctorate degree in Osteopathic Medicine from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Adam is setting his sights on the home stretch.

Over the next five years, Adam will be completing the last lap of his learning journey as an Orthopaedic Surgical Resident at Rowan University's School of Osteopathic Medicine (SOM), caring for patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings at Jefferson Health NJ, and practicing a variety of orthopedic surgery procedures in final preparation of becoming an independent Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in joints, shoulder and elbow.

Currently an Intern PGY-1 (Postgraduate Year One), Adam is learning how to diagnose and treat patients with a multitude of musculoskeletal injuries (ie: osteoarthritis, fractures, and torn ligaments). "I help to take care of nonoperative patients, as well as patients before, during, and after their surgeries," he said.

While Adam is looking forward to being an Orthopaedic Surgeon and “helping future patients get back to living their lives and doing the things they love,” it is his gratitude to those who guided him along the way that keeps him humble, grounded and looking back.

“To this day, Mrs. Blake was the best teacher I ever had, she helped fuel my passion for the sciences and for learning,” he said when asked which EHTHS staff members best prepared him for life and for a career upon graduation. “Coach Lambert and Coach Heenan were instrumental towards helping me achieve my dream of playing college soccer. They taught me how to handle adversity and to never give up when things get hard. There were a lot more teachers who helped, but I couldn’t have done it without these three.”

Adam tested the waters in a variety of sports and extracurricular activities while he was a high school student. "Soccer and Baseball were the biggest for me," he said. "I also swam and ran winter-track for a season each -- unsuccessfully I might add," he said jokingly. "I was in the band my freshman year, National Honor Society, and a handful of other clubs," but it was on the soccer and baseball fields where Adam found his niche. A four-year varsity letter winner, Adam's love of soccer earned him a spot on the Villanova Wildcats men’s soccer team as a midfielder.

When he's not working, Adam spends his time playing soccer, golfing, going on hikes, working out, and spending time with his girlfriend, Candice. His newest passion is cooking. "I love to cook! I try a new recipe at least once a week!" he said. Adam and Candice live in Woolwich Township, NJ.

Q & A with Adam:

What would your former EHTHS classmates be most surprised to know about you?

I absolutely love learning and would love to teach students one day. Hopefully I can still inspire them to pursue their passions as my teachers have done for me.”

Do you feel that EHTHS coursework prepared you for your future career? If so, how?

Absolutely! I believe EHTHS set me up for success because it offers students the opportunity to take a variety of classes from some truly-amazing professors.

What could EHTHS do better to prepare current high school students for the future?

I haven’t been back to the High School in quite some time, but one thing I wish we saw more of are ‘career days’ where professionals would come and talk to students.

What is your favorite High School memory?

I have so many memories from High School that it’s hard to pick just one. Some of my favorites are: the night [soccer] games played at Canale Park; pre-game team dinners; hanging out with all my baseball & soccer brothers; my last at-bat for the EHTHS baseball team resulted in a home run; painting Mrs. Blake’s classroom in AP Chemistry; Senior Week; and being able to go to school with my older brother Nicholas.

Maybe you chose a traditional academic path, or perhaps you took the road less traveled and blazed your own trail. Regardless of how you got to where you are today, we are grateful to you for putting Egg Harbor Township School District on the map, making a difference in the world, and for helping us become better educators. In each edition, we hope to share your stories, inspire opportunities for you to reconnect with us, and invite you to participate in exciting things happening in the Egg Harbor Township School District.

PLEASE CLICK ON THE FORM BELOW TO SUBMIT YOUR INFORMATION:

SEND EMAIL INQUIRIES TO: gregorye@eht.k12.nj.us

Please send all upcoming Class Reunion details to: gregorye@eht.k12.nj.us

Egg Harbor Township Schools launched the Alumni Association for a few reasons:

• To find out what roads you chose to follow;

• To see where you are now in your careers and your lives, and what interesting steps you took along the way to get where you are today;

• To gauge your feelings on how Egg Harbor Township Schools prepared you for your journey.

We also want to know what you think we can do better NOW to prepare current students for their future!

When the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) recently announced their annual list of “Ones to Watch in 2020,” Duy Tran’s name was on the list.

An EHTHS class of 2007 alumnus, Duy went by the nickname ‘Jay’ in high school where he excelled in academics, basketball and track.

Now a Nuclear Medicine Technologist at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Tran administers radiopharmaceuticals that include radiation-emitting radionuclides to patients, and uses gamma cameras to monitor the tissues and organs where the drugs localize. The resulting images are then evaluated by physicians for disease diagnosis.

Launched in 2018, the ‘Ones to Watch’ campaign recognizes those with the potential to shape the future of precision medicine across all spectrums of the field. SNMMI members are nominated based on how their actions, work, and/or studies have set them apart as future leaders in nuclear medicine and molecular imaging. Nominees must be either in-training, or have completed their training within the past 5 years. Final honoree selections were made jointly by the SNMMI Committee on Councils and Centers, the SNMMI Early Career Professionals Committee, and the SNMMI-TS Professional Development Committee.

Tran received his bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences from Rowan University in 2012 and Radiologic Sciences from Thomas Jefferson University in 2014. He is currently working on a technique that will improve visualization of hidden lesions.

Q & A with Duy

What would your former EHTHS classmates be surprised to know about you?

I get to handle radioactive material for a living.

Do you feel EHTHS coursework prepared you for your future career? If so, how?

With regret, I did not choose any electives that pertained to my career at EHTHS even though some of the classes were available at that time.

What could EHTHS do better to prepare current high school students for the future?

Finding one’s niche can be daunting and decisions are not always straightforward due to environmental factors. I’m not sure if EHT is doing this, but my suggestion is to have guest speakers come in once a week to explain their profession. It could be representatives from the trade profession, medical, environmental, etc. Attendance for guest speakers should not be limited to just seniors, but should be open to any grade level. If we can spark interest in a freshman, then the freshman could select classes geared to their future.

Which Egg Harbor Township Teachers/Coaches/Advisors/Staff Members best prepared you for life and a career upon graduation?

Kudos to Mrs. Eddy and Mr. Coin. They sparked my interest and allowed me to be creative.

What is your favorite school memory while a student in the Egg Harbor Township School District?

I remember dance class being an exciting class. It was out of my norm, but I appreciate the variety of elective courses EHTHS had to offer.

Additional information you would like to share?

The world is far from perfect. Question everything and go out there and change the world.

Duy holds professional memberships with the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI), Delaware Valley Society of Nuclear Medicine (DVSNM), Greater New York Chapter of Society of Nuclear Medicine, American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT), and Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board.

Married to Tram and living in Wenonah, NJ, Duy enjoys horticulture and beaching in his free time.

EHTHS class of 2002 alumnus Greg Schneider is ‘one of the good guys.’ Although it's often said that ‘good guys finish last’, this ‘good guy’ is leading the pack.

During the week, Greg is hard at work as a civil engineer -- responsible for all aspects of building project management including overseeing project planners, surveyors, construction managers, and civil engineer technicians and technologists -- in order to complete construction projects on time and on point.

When he’s not ‘engineering,’ Greg serves as a board member and volunteer team member for Kizzy’s Place, a non-profit animal rescue based in Vineland. Kizzy's core mission is to find foster or permanent homes for animals who are living in shelters and on the ‘urgent’ list for adoptions. Greg and other volunteers work together to try to secure transportation, funding for veterinary care if needed, and a safe haven for these last-chance animals.

Principle Engineer and partner in his own firm, Kates Schneider Engineering, LLC in Somers Point, Greg also serves as City Engineer for the City of Somers Point, supervising all municipal engineering work in the city, and responsible for designing and inspecting all city capital engineering projects there.

In November 2019, Greg and the City of Somers Point were awarded second place in the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers’ Project of the Year Awards for the Somers Point Municipal Transient Marina.

The marina features 20 transient boat slips and slips for tour boats and emergency vessels. All dredged materials from the project were reused to elevate an existing parking lot, and to create a living shoreline that also serves as a natural barrier against rising sea levels. Open to the public, the marina also provides an additional waterfront amenity in the city’s Historic Bay District.

Greg was recently honored as one of ‘The Top 40 Under 40’ award recipients. Sponsored by Atlantic City Weekly, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, and the Atlantic City Junior Chamber, the award is given annually to 40 young professionals, philanthropists, entrepreneurs and community leaders in Atlantic and Cape May counties who go above and beyond the call of duty within their jobs, families and/or their communities.

(continued below)

A graduate of Drexel University with a bachelor of science degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Greg worked in the field as a Drexel Co-Op for Mott & Associates in 2003, 2004 and 2005. He joined Mott & Associates in 2007 and grew from an Assistant Engineer to Associate Engineer to Senior Engineer during his tenure there.

His fondest high school memory is his senior class trip to New York City to see a Broadway play with his entire English class. “I was able to go to Rockefeller Center and Times Square with all my friends,” he said, adding that the bus rides to and from were just as fun because he was with his friends, and with teachers who wanted to hear what their future plans were beyond high school.

He feels that the high school curriculum prepared him for his future career but wishes more information was taught back then about managing finances. Greg credits former teacher George Wilkinson as the person who best prepared him for life and a career upon graduation. “Mr. Wilkinson not only taught me calculus, but he also shared many of his life stories during class” -- making calculus a lot more fun.

Happily married to Amy and living in Egg Harbor Township, Greg holds professional memberships with the NJ Society of Municipal Engineers, NJ Society of Professional Land Surveyors, NJ Association for Floodplain Management, and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

When asked how many fur babies he and Amy have, Greg joked, “the number of animals is always a fluid question. We own three cats and a dog, but are currently fostering five cats and another dog.”

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The Mission of the Alumni Association is simple: To maintain a lifelong connection with you -- our Egg Harbor Township High School Alumni

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• To Serve Our Alumni Through Programs and Services
• To Provide a Framework for our Alumni to Connect with Peers for Educational, Professional and/or Social Purposes

• To Involve our Alumni in the Advancement of the Mission, Goals, and Strategic Planning of Egg Harbor Township School District

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Q & A with Greg:

What would your former classmates be most surprised to know about you? "That I actually did something with my life. I was a pretty poor student and didn't do well in high school."

Do you feel that EHTHS coursework prepared you for your future career? If so, how? "I learned how to interact with people, learned different skills, and learned critical thinking at EHTHS."

Which Egg Harbor Township Teachers/Coaches/Advisors/Staff Members best prepared you for life and a career upon graduation? "Mr. Marcus stands out to me and my history classes with him. Mr. Horan too."

Although Greg Gershuny describes himself as a 'pretty poor student' while in high school, he is very proud of what he has become. Like some of the most successful people in the world who have gone on to have amazing careers after having less than stellar runs in academia (Vice President Al Gore, Senator John McCain, President Bush #1 & #2, Vice President Joe Biden...), Greg Gershuny, class of 1998, found his way...and then some!

After majoring in Liberal Arts at Atlantic Cape Community College, Greg left his Egg Harbor Township roots behind and headed for George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia where he received his bachelor's degree in Political Conflict History.

Greg currently serves as the Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Program (EEP). The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues.

According to Dan Porterfield, President and CEO, "the Aspen Institute is a non-profit force for good whose mission is to convene change-makers of every type, established and emerging, in order to frame and then solve society's most important problems. Our programs -- from the Aspen Ideas Festival to the Resnick Aspen Action Forum to the policy discussions held around our seminar tables -- bring together diverse voices with a shared commitment to improving the human condition."

Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, Greg served as the Associate Director for the US Department of Energy Office of Energy Policy and Systems Analysis as well as Chief of Staff to Energy Policy Director Melanie Kenderdine.

He was also the Director of Energy and Environment at the White House Office of Presidential Personnel, where he oversaw the Presidential appointment process for the energy and environment mission within the federal government, and served as a policy aide to the Associate Director for Science and Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Greg also served as Research Associate for the White House National Economic Council for Technology and Innovation Policy, and several Recovery Act projects as well.

Greg started at the Aspen Institute as the James E. Rogers Energy Fellow and then went on to serve as Managing Director for two years. The Energy and Environment Program, one of the longest running at the Aspen Institute, challenges thought leaders to test and shape energy, conservation, and environmental policies, governance systems, and institutions that support the wellbeing of both nature and society. The Program’s forums and dialogues are designed to cultivate leadership and develop collective solutions based on the ideal that both humankind and the natural world have intrinsic value. Like the Aspen Institute as a whole, the Energy and Environment Program seeks to inspire and explore new ideas that provoke action in the world.

An outdoor enthusiast, Greg enjoys mountain climbing, hiking and biking with his wife and two Golden Doodles when he's not working.

As the saying goes “Find something you love to do, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

Chad Juros, EHTHS class of 2006, has been doing just that while globetrotting across the country and the world doing what he loves most: MAGIC.

As the owner/operator of Captivate Entertainment, LLC, Chad has been enjoying international fame as a magician, entertainer and motivational speaker for audiences that have included Prime Ministers, U.S. Presidents, and underprivileged families in Aruba. He has performed on Good Morning America, CW Network’s Penn & Teller FOOL US, A&E’s Criss Angel Mindfreak, and Food Network’s Diner Impossible, as well as the world-famous Hollywood, California Academy of Magical Arts/Magic Castle, a private club dedicated to advancing the art and promoting a positive image of magic and magicians worldwide.

“Since graduation, I have been lucky enough to continue to do what I love for a living,” Chad said when he was asked what his former EHT classmates would be most surprised to know about him. The humble humanitarian is also the founder of the Spread the Magic Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer.

As an Egg Harbor Township student, Chad was a member of the Key Club and a contestant in the Mr. EHT contest. His favorite memories of his years in the local school district include being a student in Mrs. House’s first grade class, reading the first Harry Potter books in Mrs. Gross’ 5th grade class, performing in the 7th grade talent show run by Mr. Perry, taking Mr. Handsaw’s wood shop classes, high school gym class with Mr. Chisholm, eating lunch with his friends in the cafeteria, senior trip to Six Flags, and of course graduating. “The teachers/staff always supported my interests and the interests of my friends.”

Chad is confident district staff members will continue to support the students’ hopes, dreams and needs in the future, like they did when he and his friends were students. “I had many amazing teachers and advisors throughout my school experience in EHT. I certainly learned many skills from my coursework that helped me run my business throughout the years. EHTHS did a very good job of preparing me for the future,” he said.

Armed with a bachelor of arts degree in Visual Arts with a concentration in Graphic Arts from Stockton University, Chad’s journey to becoming a magician, entertainer and motivational speaker is a bittersweet one.

As a 3-year-old child, Chad was diagnosed with leukemia. After relapsing four years later, Chad needed a bone marrow transplant. Despite the best efforts of friends, family, and his medical team, no match was found. As a result, doctors decided to try an experimental protocol. For the next 17 months Chad lived as an inpatient at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). He went from an 80% chance of survival to under 5%.

While he was bravely fighting the battle, his father used magic to distract Chad from the fear and pain he was enduring. While receiving his treatments, Chad would lie in his hospital bed and practice his magic for hours a day. In 1998 at the age of 9, Chad was released from the hospital. That same year, Chad's dad collapsed and was subsequently diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Chad's father deteriorated quickly. In a matter of a few months, he became a three-month old trapped in a 41-year-old body. The roles have reversed as Chad would now perform his magic while his father received his treatments in the hospital. Sadly Chad's father passed away on Janurary 17th, 2000, according to his foundation website.

Chad now lives in Marlton. When he’s not on the road performing, he enjoys spending time with his wife, playing golf, and watching movies.

His magical travels will bring him full circle when he returns to the Egg Harbor Township High School campus to captivate community members at the #EHTPride Festival planned for 11 am – 3 pm, Saturday, September 21, in the parking lot of Egg Harbor Township High School.

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Chin Pandya, class of 2001, recently donated $2,000 to the Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools Inc., to purchase new percussion equipment for the Egg Harbor Township High School Band.

As a student at Egg Harbor Township High School, Chin excelled in Band/Orchestra, Tennis, Soccer, Mock Trial, Musicals and Drama. When asked if he felt EHTHS prepared him for his career he said, "Yes, I had fantastic teachers, coaches and advisors who taught me the importance of hard work and humility" specifically acknowledging Dr. Kadetsky, Mr. Pugliese, Mademoiselle Herr Guenther, Mr. Wilkinson, Mr. Cohen and Mrs. Almanza.

"Dr. Kadetsky [the district's Supervisor of Fine & Performing Arts] was more than a teacher, he was an advisor, a mentor, and most importantly, a friend," said Chin when he was asked why he wanted to give back to the district. "I was thrilled to be able to donate to the band as a small token of my appreciation for everything Dr. Kadetsky did for me as a student."

His two favorite high school memories are when he played the Scarecrow in the Wiz, and winning the South Jersey Championship in Tennis.

An investment banker at Houlihan Lokey based in Los Angeles, CA, Chin received his BS in Finance and Accounting from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University. Prior to his current position with Houlihan Lokey, Chin worked in investment banking and advisory positions at Los Angeles-based UBS and Price Waterhouse Coopers in New York City.

Although he has lived in Los Angeles for more than a decade, he says he will always be a South Jersey boy at heart. Chin is married and has a new baby girl. His hobbies include playing music and tennis, watching Netflix, and supporting his favorite Philadelphia sports teams -- especially the Eagles.

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There's a reason why Dave Sholler majored in communications at Stockton University. He's good at it.

Whether he's offering advice to novice 76ers players who tower over him on the basketball court, or speaking to large groups of impressionable Egg Harbor Township students, he uses his past experiences as a tool to drive his point home.

Dave recently returned to his South Jersey roots after landing a job as Vice President of Communications with the Philadelphia 76ers. Prior to securing the position with the 76ers, Dave worked for the Ultimate Fighting Championship/World Exchange Cage fighting (UFC/WEC) as Manager of Public Relations, Senior Director of Public Relations, and Vice President of Public Relations/Athlete Marketing & Development for seven years.

Since returning home, Dave's name has quickly become synonymous with giving back. Never forgetting where he came from, Dave has made it his personal mission to share his life story with young people of Egg Harbor Township who are struggling the way he once was.

During recent presentations to Egg Harbor Township High School and middle school students, he talked openly about growing up economically-challenged, and living in a single-wide trailer with his three siblings, hard-working mom, and drug-addicted father. The oldest of four children, Dave took on a parental role at an early age when his father, an opioid addict, could not. He encouraged his siblings Dan, Dennis and Jillian to stay out of trouble by encouraging them to play sports -- using rolled up socks as balls to practice with them from home.

While a student at Egg Harbor Township High School, Dave participated in extra-curricular activities including EHT-TV and the Student Newspaper. When asked if he felt EHTS prepared him for his career he said, "I wouldn't be where I am today without the support and mentorship of the EHTHS administration. I was given access to the tools and resources needed to build the foundational skills that I apply in my field now."

Never forgetting those who helped him along the way, Dave credits retired EHTHS staff members Michael Coyne, Karen Warner and Ralph Ridolfino; current staff members Tony DeRosa, Dr. Terry Charlton and Dr. Kim Gruccio; former staff member Nicholas Marmarou -- now with Rancocas Valley School District -- and George Wilkinson, who died in 2013.

His favorite EHTHS memory was hosting the morning news on EHT-TV and chronicling the success of the schools' sports teams. "I really appreciate the camaraderie and support our school district fosters," he said.

Dave's favorite pastime is spending time with his wife Tiffany and their children: twin daughters Luciana and Lindleigh, and newest arrival -- son Santino. Other favorites include fishing, crabbing and food.

Balancing his family life with corporate management demands is challenging enough, but Dave always makes sure he carves out time for those less fortunate by sharing his story with area youth, spearheading efforts to collect supplies for the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, and serving as a volunteer Board of Trustee member for the Community Partnership for Egg Harbor Township Schools, Inc.

When asked why he feels the need/desire to give back he said simply, "It's the least I can do for a district and community that game me so much."

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Jennifer Donovan Meyer is literally reaching for the stars as Associate Scientist for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Charlottesville, VA.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is a federally-funded research and development center of the United States National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc. Radio astronomy is the study of celestial objects that give off radio waves. Scientists like Donovan study astronomical phenomena that are often invisible or hidden in other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

A member of the Egg Harbor Township High School Class of 1999, Jennifer graduated with honors in Physics and Astronomy from Franklin & Marshall College, and received her MA, MPh and PhD in Astronomy from Columbia University.

A well-rounded student at Egg Harbor Township High School, Jennifer was a member of the EHTHS marching band/color guard, the Interact Club, the Yearbook Club, and participated in school musicals. She also competed in figure skating.

As an undergraduate student at F & M, Jennifer was a member of the Orchestra, Dance Company, and Physics and Astronomy Club, all while continuing her competitive figure skating aspirations.

Those skating skills paid off when she was a graduate assistant student astronomer at Columbia University by day and a member of the Gotham Girls Roller Derby team by night. During the day, Jennifer listened for and tracked the faintest sounds from atoms in galaxies millions of light-years from Earth. But at night she was 'Luna Impact' hip-checking and hip-whipping her way around the rink, according to a feature article in the 2007 New York Times.

Jennifer feels that Egg Harbor Township Schools prepared her to work with other people who saw things differently than she did, which is something she does on a daily basis in her current career. She says she still uses the phrase "Even a broken clock is right twice a day" crediting her sophomore EHTHS chemistry teacher Dr. Knobloch for imbedding that famous phrase into her mind.

Like Chin and Dave, Jennifer remembers her roots. Over the years, she has donated thousands of dollars to fundraising events that benefit Egg Harbor Township students.

"My brother Chip and I were raised knowing that it's important to give back and to try to make a difference in your community. Giving back to the EHT school system has always been a way to continue to support a community that always supported me, as well as to honor the work that my father [Chuck Donovan] did for the EHT School system, and that my brother is currently doing for the students of EHT -- not to mention it's where my nieces will grow and thrive," she said.

"Frankly I'm really proud of the work that Chip is doing, and this is also a way I can help him achieve his goals for the students of EHT since I'm not there to do more," she added.

Married since 2009 to her former college physics lab partner, Brendan, Jennifer gave birth to their first child, Logan Charles Meyer, in May.

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Kristin Johns, EHTHS class of 2009, is a Lieutenant Junior Grade with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Commissioned Officer Corps, working as the Operations Officer aboard the Nancy Foster, a federal research NOAA ship home-ported in Charleston, SC.

Her primary job is to manage and facilitate the science that happens aboard the ship including supporting fish habitat and population studies, seafloor mapping surveys, oceanographic studies and maritime heritage surveys.

Prior to her work on the Nancy Foster, Kristin was stationed in Norfolk, VA, serving as Deputy Chief of Operations and helping to manage and assist NOAA's nine Atlantic research ships. Her first job was that of a Junior Officer on NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter, where she learned the ins and outs of ships, how to drive them, and the science conducted from them.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Science from Rutgers University (New Brunswick) in 2013, Kristin reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on January 9, 2014 to begin her basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Officers operate NOAA's survey & research vessels, pilot aircraft, lead field parties, & serve in staff positions throughout NOAA.

Before joining the NOAA ranks, Kristen developed her passion for everything 'ocean' after working at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine as a student guide and assistant, the Marine Science Program at Rutgers University where she volunteered with the American Shad Project conducting research for the dispatch of the Rutgers Glider across the Pacific Ocean, as a Medical Assistant in Somerset, NJ, and a lifeguard during the summer while a student at Rutgers University (New Brunswick).

Kristin credits EHTHS with preparing her for college "by giving me a strong foundation for learning, specifically in the sciences. It also taught me the importance of timeliness (getting to class and soccer on time), working hard even when things didn't always come easily, the importance of staying healthy and physically fit, and more importantly having fun! The best thing that EHTHS gave me is lasting friendships -- people that have supported me through it all," she said.

"As a military kid (my dad was in the US Coast Guard for 32 years), I leaned to love the lifestyle of moving around and traveling. I knew that I needed an occupation that doesn't settle in one place. I also wanted to serve my country in some capacity."

While at EHTHS, I loved all of my science classes, particularly oceanography, physics and chemistry. While in college, I studied biological sciences and was involved in research with the Marine Science Department -- all of which helped me land my perfect job -- one that includes science, service to my country, and adventure," she said.

Her favorite EHTHS memory is sitting around the cafeteria lunch table laughing with her friends. Her favorite EHTHS teachers were Ms. Reinhardt, Mr. Lesnick, Mr. Bowe and Mr. Caiazza.

At Rutgers University, Kristin focused her studies in Marine Science, Microbiology, and Medicine. She developed a passion for the ocean studies and the uniformed services at a very young age thanks to the enthusiasm of her father who serves in the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard enabled Kristin to become accustomed to adapting to new places, service etiquette, and individual and team growth.

Kristin has two younger sisters that she is extremely proud of. Ericka graduated from Atlantic Cape Community College's Nursing Program and Jena is a student at the Air Force Academy where she is ranked in the top of her class.

At EHTHS, Kristen was a member of the girls varsity soccer and track teams. An avid surfer and snowboarder, Kristen was a member of the Snowboard and Club Soccer teams at Rutgers, and also enjoyed rock climbing, hiking and boating in the off-season.

Her other interests and hobbies include visiting National Parks and traveling in general. She is passionate about the environment, environmental awareness and conservation. Kristin's professional associations include the Military Officers Association of America and Surfrider Foundation.

Planning her March 2019 marriage to Tyler Sjoka, Kristin would like to serve as a mentor to EHTHS students who are interested in following in her footsteps!

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CLASS REUNION NEWS!

TO GET YOUR CLASS REUNION INFORMATION SHARED ON THE NEWSLETTER, PLEASE SEND INFORMATION TO: GREGORYE@EHT.K12.NJ.US

EHTHS Alumni Office

Attn: Ellen Gregory

13 Swift Drive

Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234

(609) 646-8441, ext. 1017

Email: alumni@eht.k12.nj.us