DeFabio and Masterson Elected 'Miss and Mr. Watchung Hills
By Eleanor Mathews
Given the negative publicity about the recent election process in New Jersey, it’s refreshing to know that the process of picking one’s representatives need not be fraught with dissension and name-calling. Given that there was no electioneering, no campaign speeches, no election night suspense the moment the polls closed, the election of Miss and Mr. Watchung Hills is even more remarkable..
It’s been that way a long time at Watchung Hills Regional High School. Miss and Mr. Watchung Hills don’t know they’ve been elected for the honor until Homecoming Day, when their names are announced to the crowd that has come to witness a football game as well as to “crown” the two seniors who most closely resemble the ideals of the upcoming graduating class.
In the closing months of the junior year, candidates’ names are presented to the senior class, along with other candidates for senior office. There’s no electioneering for the positions, though candidates’ photos and bios are officially posted, and besides, most candidates have already become well known to classmates over the years.
The results of their classmates’ selections were not made known until Friday evening, October 20, at the Watchung Hills- North Hunterdon football game (which had Hills besting its opponent 41-10). On that occasion, the two winning candidates were presented: Amanda De Fabio of Millington and Clint J. Masterson of Warren. They were ceremoniously “crowned” during half-time ceremonies before an enthusiastic crowd. Their competitors were also vigorously applauded: Daniella Fusari and Danielle Perillo (Stirling residents), Blair Chemidlin (Watchung), Nina Horowitz (Warren); also, Chris Voorhees (Warren), Jeffrey Ritter (Watchung), Joseph Giaimo (Gillette).
Principal Thomas DiGanci called all the nominees “oustanding members of the Class of 2007.” The Miss/Mr. Watchung Hills competition is not a popularity contest, but an acknowledgment for individuals who are role models in the school. All nominees represent the best of Watchung Hills, and all were worthy of being elected, he said. “They all represent the ideals and values that we should have in a learning community: cooperation, compassion and responsibility. They are all persons who have given much to Hills over the years.”
De Fabio, vice president of the student body, has been a Grade Level representative for three years and a peer leader for four years. As such, she has represented Hills at the National Student Leadership, New Jersey Peer Leadership and New Jersey Conferences. She is a four-year lacrosse letterer, won the Most Spirited Warrior Award in 2005, was a member of the Skylands Conference Second Team/All Conference in 2006. She also is a Lacrosse Clinic Counselor and coordinated a lacrosse clinic for Hills players. She was also a 2005 Varsity Cheerleading Letterer.
De Fabio, whose program has consisted mainly of honors and AP courses, is consistently on the honor roll and is a member of the National Italian Honor Society. She’s volunteered her skills at her church as a CCD teacher, worked charity events, worked after school at a nursery school aide, and assisted at a local chiropractic practice. She hopes to continue academic studies and athletics in college, and to use her distinctive educational background and interests in some area relating to athletic performance.
Clint Masterson is involved in an engineering curriculum at Hills and has set his sights on a degree in Mechanical Engineering and an eventual Master’s degree in Business. As a good start: he has worked for the past four summers at high school as a computer technician, “fixing computers and networks.”
Masterson, too, is an active lacrosse player and has become involved in cross country as well.He’s been active in the Model United Nations Club, P. U.S.H. (an organization that teaches middle-schoolers about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol), the All School Council, the Grade Level Council and the Peer Leaders program. An active member of his church, he has been on the Peer Servant Team which is involved in such community outreach activities as bringing food and supplies to New York City’s homeless. He was also part of the committee that planned a senior citizens’ prom for local senior citizen groups.
Mr. Watchung Hills hopes to continue his involvement in intramural sports, student government and clubs when he moves along to college.
The two youth represent Watchung Hills at various community events. As the public gets to see and know them on such occasions, they’ll become aware that these two members of the Class of 2007 didn’t win a popularity event, but that, behind their titles, there is real substance.
Watchung Hills’ Class of 2007 Names ‘Miss and Mr. Watchung Hills’
(Photo by Eleanor Mathews)
Two members of the Class of 2007 elected two of their number as Miss and Mr. Watchung Hills, Amanda De Fabio and Clint Masterson. Though elected last May, their names were not revealed until Homecoming Day, October 19, when they were officially named and “crowned at the Hills-North Hunterdon football game.