N.B. honors August scholar athletes
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

NORTH BRUNSWICK — The tradition continues.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services announced its August scholar athletes at the Township Council meeting Oct. 11.

Tanya Witlen, 15, is a sophomore at North Brunswick Township High School. She was on the honor roll last year, receiving all A’s as a freshman. She is taking all honors courses this year, with science as her favorite subject and math the most difficult.

“It’s OK because my parents are both math teachers,” she said.

Witlen has been swimming year-round for the past seven years, participating on the NBTHS Rapids swim team, the Raritan Valley YMCA Riptides, and for the Nob Valley Swim Club of North Brunswick. Last year, she achieved the third-highest number of points at the high school, a culmination of the various meets during the year, and received her varsity letter. She swims six days per week year-round, preparing for Nationals in April. In eighth-grade she placed fifth and last year she placed ninth in the 100 breaststroke at Nationals.

“It’s the only thing I’m good at,” she laughed. “I knew I would have to work really hard because it’s easy to get out of shape.”

Witlen is also a member of the German Club, learning German in seventh-grade “because not a lot of people were doing it.” She joined the Student Government Executive Board because of their charity work, and joined PUSH (Prevention Using Student Help) because she remembers the positive impact the high school students had on her when she was in elementary school.

“I remember when they used to come to the schools. They made you feel like you were actually doing something,” she said.

Although Witlen plans to swim during college, she would like to focus her career on sports medicine or psychology.

“It’s a lot of work, but it pays off when you finally reach a goal you have,” she said.

Anthony Battaglia, 17, is a senior at Rutgers Preparatory, Somerset.

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be honored with this award when I don’t even go to North Brunswick High School. I never imagined myself getting this award. … When my mom told me, I was shocked.”

An avid soccer player, Battaglia was nominated by his neighbor for his contributions to sports and school, including physics, Advanced Placement literature, statistics, Spanish IV honors, peer leadership and economics.

“It’s just about managing my time. Whichever course is the hardest I put the most effort into,” he said.

Receiving the Honors With Distinction award as a sophomore and high honor roll certificates as a junior, Battaglia hopes to enter the medical field in college. In the meantime, he is focusing on his year-round sports career as a center midfielder for Rutgers Prep and a right midfielder for the Jersey Knights soccer teams.

“It’s a pretty big commitment,” he said. “It’s an adrenaline rush. It’s the only sport I play, so I get real hyped up.”

Battaglia attributes his success to his parents, who have supported him throughout his endeavors.

“My father [has taught me] everything — about manners, how to behave, how to manage my time, how to work hard and get what you want,” he said. “My mom is a big part of this [too]. She always helps me and guides me. … She is a therapist at home, you could say.”

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services is accepting nominations for its Scholar/Athlete/Arts program. Coaches, teachers and parents of children in grades K-12 can submit their recommendations to the DPRCS Office at 710 Hermann Road or to LBenson@northbrunswickonline.com.

Nominations must be in writing no longer than one page, and a copy of the student’s most recent report card must be attached.

The annual Scholar Athlete/Artist pasta party is scheduled for Dec. 12 at the municipal building.