A pair of Bennetts, Trenton’s Aaron and Nottingham’s Robbie, among top DelVal Scholars
Aaron Bennett and Robbie Bennett share the same last name, their football fields share the same proximity to Hamilton Avenue, and they both share the same enthusiasm for excellence in their sport and the classroom.
Which is why Aaron will be Trenton Central High’s honoree at the 57th Annual George Wah Scholar-LeaderAthlete Dinner, and Robbie will be Nottingham’s representative at the event.
The dinner, sponsored by The Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, is March 10, 4 p.m., at the Princeton Marriott. Players from 22 schools will be honored with $1,000 scholarships, while three special winners will receive the $5,000 Jack Stephan Scholarship, the $2,500 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, and the $1,500 Ed Cook Scholarship.
For tickets or ad book information, contact Ron Hoehn at 609-731-6610.
Other Colonial Valley Conference players being honored are Krystian Hajduczka (Lawrence), Nick Campbell (Allentown), James Kim (Ewing), Eddie Fennell IV (Hamilton West), Michael Quigg (Hightstown), Steven Doldy (Hopewell Valley), Evan Collins (Notre Dame), Connor Coffee (Princeton), Paul Milo (Robbinsville), Tim Toomer (Steinert) and Brian Zhong (West Windsor-Plainsboro).
Other Mercer County prep school honorees are Diassa Diakite (Lawrenceville), Malcolm Brunson (Hun), Brandon West (Pennington) and David Harris (Peddie). Area school athletes being recognized will be Jack Parker (Bordentown), John Woolston (Florence), Connor Healy (New Egypt) and John Stothoff (North Hunterdon).
Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo Onofri will receive the Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American Award, George Kloutis will receive the Contribution to Youth Football and Jack Rice is the Youth Scholar Award winner. Charlie Thompson will get the George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football Award, the Nick Gusz Good Guy Award goes to Sharron Grady, Abe Johnson will receive the Jack Millard Officials Award and Brian Pitts is this year’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Champion.
Other honors will go to Max Busca (TCNJ’s Earl H. Dean Scholar-Leader-Athlete), Tom Johnson (Princeton University Judge Arthur Lane Scholar-Leader-Athlete) and Santuzza Oilers (Tony Persichilli Meritorious Service Award).
Aaron Bennett played offensive line for the Tornadoes despite not having great size. He was a threeyear starter on the line who also became a starting linebacker as a senior, using his keen football sense succeed at both positions. Bennett also competes on the Tornadoes swim team.
“Aaron was not the biggest kid, especially for an offensive lineman,” Tornadoes second-year coach Greg Hyslop said. “But when I watched film and got to see him perform at practice I understood why he was starting on the offensive line. He knew every assignment and knew how to use his body to block and defeat guys bigger and stronger than him. His knowledge of the position set him apart from everybody on the field.
“By the time Aaron had developed into a starting linebacker for us, he played the game no differently than he did as an offensive lineman. He continuously put himself in the right position to make plays because of his knowledge and how he studies the game. He was a leader on the defense and was a big part of our success in several of our wins this season. I have had the honor to get to know Aaron the past two seasons, not only as a football player, but as a young man. Aaron is one of the highest character young men I have ever been around.”
Off the field, Bennett has superb math and culinary skills, and has worked at Six Flags Great Adventure and Boston Market. He has taken Advanced Placement Calculus AB.
“Scholar-athlete, hardworking and determined are the words that describe Aaron Bennett,” TCHS Math Teacher Deirdre Brown said. “He works diligently to understand the material and to help others in this class. He is determined to take rigorous classes in order to be well prepared for college. He has great leadership skills and helps students with mathematics when they need help. He is a well-rounded and caring leader, who is willing to be a positive role model for those behind him.”
Robbie Bennett was a twoyear starter at cornerback for the Northstars, collecting 48 tackles and five interceptions while returning a pick for a touchdown last year. He was one of Nottingham’s Unsung Heroes at the 12th Man TD Club. Bennett is also an outfielder for the varsity baseball team.
“Robert has tremendous dedication to the program,” coach Jon Adams said. “He has an ‘All-In; mentality. Robert possesses outstanding character and loyalty to our program. During his time in our program he has demonstrated strong leadership skills and a wonderful work ethic. He has a strong set of values he learned from his wonderful mother. His character has never been a question. Robert is an unselfish player and a high-character young person. Moreover, I feel he has always been a positive influence on the younger members of our programs.”
Bennett has a cumulative grade point average of 3.7 and has been a member of the National Honor Society the past two years. He served as a speaker and participant in Black History Month and Spanish Heritage Month activities at Nottingham, is a member of Outreach for the Stars and Peer Leadership, has done community service with Dunamis No Limit and is involved with Special Olympics Football.
“Robbie is an outstanding student and an honorable young man both in and outside of the classroom,” said Nottingham World Language Teacher Jill DeMaio. “In class, Robbie has always shown maturity and responsibility. He never comes to class unprepared and he always works hard to succeed in class. He helps others and never lacks ambition. Rob is involved in an array of activities at Nottingham and outside of school he is a positive member of the community.”
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores