Allentown’s McCrea, New Egypt’s Devine among scholars to be honored
Route 539 should stand for more than just a road that area residents take to Long Beach Island. It also passes through towns that contain two of the most impressive high school student-athletes in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
They would be Allentown High’s Chris McCrea and New Egypt’s Jack Devine, who are their school’s honorees at the 58th Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner. The event will be held 4 p.m. Sunday, March 8, at the Princeton Marriott and is sponsored by the Delaware Valley Chapter National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.
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A captain for both the Warriors lacrosse and football teams, Devine was a four-year varsity performer on the gridiron. Jack was named New Egypt’s Special Teams Player of the Year as a Junior, and earned secondteam All-BCSL Division honors as a senior. He also plays varsity basketball between football and lacrosse seasons.
“Jack consistently displayed exceptional sportsmanship and a keen awareness of the game of football that contributed not only to his personal success, but the success of his team as a whole,” Warriors coach Steve Fence said. “I was delighted to be able to see up close what a coachable and upstanding young man Jack really is. He is quietly determined and gifted in his abilities, but not arrogant on or off the field.
“Jack is a shining example of someone who consistently does their best and pushes those around him to contribute their best as well. He personifies what a teammate and leader should be and is a pleasure to spend time with on and off the field.”
With that being said, Fence then delivered a true understatement when he noted, “His accomplishments on the football field pale in comparison to his success in the classroom.”
And his weighted grade point average of 93.9 and unweighted of 91.1 — accomplished while taking 12 honors courses — probably pales in comparison to his achievements and extracurricular work.
Devine was chosen to intern for Gerald North, the Superintendent of Plumstead Township School District, and is helping to launch a Warrior Buddy program so elementary school students have mentors.
He is a member of the National Honor Society, has been honored by the state assembly for community service work in Plumstead, chosen to be a student representative on the Board of Education Executive Warrior Broadcasting Committee, is vice president of Plumstead Youth for Nature & Environment, president of the Environmental Club, treasurer of Future Business Leaders of America and a Peer Leadership leader for the district. Jack also volunteers for Fresh Start, Play it Forward, Good for the Sole, Mary’s Place by the Sea, Relay for Life, Ronald McDonald House, “Leaf” Our Mark, Big Brothers/Big Sisters ice event, Project Paul and Helping Hands Food Pantry. For good measure, Devine is on the NEHS Student Government, Student Advisory Board, Spanish Club and Interact Rotary Club.
“The qualities that have made Jack stand out over the years are his individualism, courage and a quiet caring and confidence that he exhibits daily,” North said. “Jack is one of the most genuine and friendly teenagers that I have met in the last 20 years as a high school principal and superintendent.
“Jack is also introspective. He knows both who he is and what he expects out of himself. He has always been an above average student, yet he has never rested on his accomplishments. His humility and diligence allow him to keep pushing forward when others would be satisfied or would quit.”
Unlike many high school place kickers who aren’t noticed all that much, McCrea turned heads with his accuracy and distance as a freshman and continued to do so throughout his career. He also became a talented receiver and safety his final three years, making him a valuable part of all three phases of the game. Chris was first-team All-Area kicker the past three years and second-team as a freshman, and first-team All-Division all four years. He served as team captain as a senior, and played basketball for two seasons.
“Chris’s attention to detail in the way he prepares himself for assignments and activities are second to none,” Redbirds coach Andrew Lachenmayer said. “He has been a positive role model for younger student athletes and possesses many leadership qualities the will help him in the future become a successful young man. His production as a wide receiver, kicker and defensive back were second to none in the Mercer County area.”
While taking numerous college prep and honors courses, McCrea has amassed a weighted GPA of 3.43 and unweighted of 3.35. He was a Day of Dialogue participant as a freshman and sophomore and was named Student of the Month in March, 2018. He was a team leader for AHS’s freshman StepUp Day, volunteered as a rec basketball counselor and also officiated games; did construction clean-up, helped with the reception in the Fieldhouse of Team 85 Gym and does occasional babysitting.
“Chris is an amazing young man who has great potential academically and athletically,” Allentown Social Studies teacher Susan Thompson said. “What impressed me most about Chris is that he used his influence in a positive manner. “Academically, Chris’s work ethic was impeccable. He managed assignment deadlines, asked appropriate questions and consistently turned in neat, organized and thoughtful work. Chris was able to remain committed to both the rigorous expectations of being a high school student and that of a sports team player.”
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores