The Roxbury Township Board of Education at its June meeting had a reason to celebrate – acknowledging the high school’s valedictorian and salutatorian, the district’s seven Educators of the Year, as well as its retirees.

Community members, parents, students, staff, and families joined the board in its recognition of these individuals.

This year’s valedictorian and salutatorian were sisters Karly and Kelsey Forker.  Principal Jeff Swanson introduced and spoke of these young women and their accomplishments.  

During Kelsey’s four years at RHS, she took 13 honors classes and six AP classes. She finished 11 semesters of high school ending with a 4.5898 GPA.  

“This reflects the strength of her curricular choices as well as her outstanding academic performance in those courses,’’ Swanson said. “Notably, she doubled up in science classes during the last two years of high school and in math this past year, which is quite a feat. She completed a four-year track for engineering and computer-aided design. She scored a 1470 out 1600 on her SATs and 33 out of 36 on her ACTs,” said Swanson.

He also noted Kelsey’s numerous other activities in high school, including being the recording secretary for the National Honor Society, a member of the Interact Club for all four years, a member of the Math and Science Leagues for all four years, a member of the Spanish Honor Society, and a peer tutor who helped make a difference in students’ lives.  

“This isn’t all,’’ he added. “Kelsey was also involved in athletics in all four years of high school, playing soccer and running track. Earning varsity letters in three seasons of sports and, despite the disappointment of a torn ACL in August that forced her to miss her senior year of soccer, she never felt sorry for herself and worked diligently in rehab to make sure she could come back.”

Kelsey will continue on to North Eastern University in the fall to study chemical engineering.

To reach the status of valedictorian, Karly took 14 honors courses and six AP classes, 11.5 semesters worth of high school ending with a 4.666 GPA.

“Like her sister she doubled up in science and math during her last two years and she never earned a grade below a 93 in high school. She scored a 1440 out of 1600 on her SATs. Karly is this year’s president of the National Honor Society. She served as the recording secretary for her class for all four years of high school. She, too, is a peer leader. Her involvement in service organizations include four years in the Interact Club, three years in the Varsity R Club, she was inducted into the Spanish Honor Society and has participated in the Science and Math Leagues at different points in her high school career,” said Swanson.

“All that is quite remarkable, but Karly is also an All-County and an All-Conference soccer player and an All-County indoor and outdoor track athlete and a state champion in indoor track.  Truly, she’s the epitome of a scholar athlete and she was recognized as such by the Morris County Athletic Directors Association.”

Karly will be attending Bucknell University to study biochemistry in the fall.

Swanson wrapped up stating, “Something you may not know about Karly and Kelsey is that they have another sister, Kaitlyn, who is also in the top 10 of their class 2018. That’s right, triplets, all in the top 10. Nice work, Mom and Dad!”

The Educators of the Year this year cover the scope of education, from general education to special education.

Each building administrator introduced and praised their school’s educator of the year, sharing antidotes from their personal experience, from a student or staff member, or from a parent of a child in the school.

The 2017/2018 Educators of the Year for the Roxbury School District are: Shannon Foster, Jason Tannenholz, Tiffany North, Jennifer Maurer, Kelly Lamont, Christine Leuttchau and David Siegel.

The Board also recognized 23 professional and support staff members who have retired throughout the 2017/2018 school year. Collectively, they contributed 525 years to the education and support of the students in Roxbury and 634 years in education overall.

Assistant Superintendent Chuck Seipp and Superintendent Loretta Radulic shared special sentiments regarding two longtime administrators of the district who will be were set to retire in June. They were Science Supervisor for Grades 6-12 Jane Feret and Roxbury High School Principal Jeffrey Swanson.