New Egypt’s Kimmick, North Hunterdon’s Vaddis among top DelVal Scholars
North Hunterdon and New Egypt might not be in close proximity, however, both schools have high school student athletes who represented themselves and their schools prominently this fall, North Hunterdon’s Derek Vaddis and New Egypt’s Devin Kimmick.
It’s because of their ability and character, on the football field, in the classroom and in the community that they have been selected as their school’s honoree at the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 61st Annual George Wah Scholar-LeaderAthlete Awards Ceremony.
This year marks the 61st year the awards ceremony has been held and it will be at the Princeton Marriott @Forrestal and will begin a 3 p.m.
The Foundation and it’s sponsors honor high school football players from 21 schools in Burlington, Hunterdon, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean Counties as well as a Scholar-Athlete-Leader from Princeton University and The College of New Jersey.
Tickets are $75.00 and can be purchased by contacting Steve Tuckerson, Dinner Chair at delval.nffhf@gmail.com
A player will be chosen for the $ 5,000.00 Jack Stephen Scholarship, one for the $2,500.00 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, the $2000.00 Ed Cook Scholarship and the Delaware Valley Chapter Scholarship is for $1,500.00.
The remaining ScholarAthletes will all receive a $1,000.00 scholarship.
The 21 players nominated are, Parker Schloss (Allentown), Michael Poinsett (Bordentown), Dorian Williams (Ewing), Luke Skinner (Florence), Walter Cordero (Hamilton), Brianna Saragih (Hightstown), David Ellis (Hopewell
Valley), Dante Barone (Hun), Graham Walter (Lawrence), Peyton Cosover (Lawrenceville), Declan MacCabe (Notre Dame), Jedaiah Carrette (Nottingham), Daniel Gredell (Peddie), Tyler Bock (Pennington), Jake Richter (Princeton), Tyler DelGrande (Robbinsville), Colin James (Steinert), Nasyr Ingram-McWhite (Trenton) and Manidhar Yeluri (WW-P).
These players are being recognized for so much more than their football ability, it’s recognizes the achievements in the classroom, their leadership qualities as well as their community involvement.
The other awards the Chapter will bestow will be to Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes )Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American), the Bordentown Military Institute (George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football), North Hunterdon’s Kevin Kley (Hank Johns Coach Award), Mike Rowan, of the Hopewell Valley Pop Warner (Contribution to Youth Football), Cooper Briehler, of the Hopewell Valley/Robbinsville Pop Warner (Delaware Valley Little Scholar), Fernando Santana, of SONJ (Eunice Shriver Champion Award), Bill Quirk, the longtime Hun Athletic Director (Nick Gusz Good Guy Award) and Sean Miller, of the Times of Trenton (Tony Persichilli Meritorious Service Award)
The Judge Arthur Lane Princeton University-ScholarLeader-Athlete is Carter Christopher and the Earl H. Dean The College of New Jersey Scholar-Leader-Athlete is
Joey Bellamy.
Vaddis had an amazing year on the field North Hunterdon.
He had over 1,000 yards receiving, 11 touchdowns and eight intercepted passes.
“He led by example and as a vocal leader,” said North Hunterdon coach Kevin Kley. “He kept the mood light in the locker room and focused on the field. He led with passion and energy, and he understood the importance of focus and preparation. He interacted exceptionally well with teammates, coaches, and community members. He made my fourth year as head coach one that I will remember positively, and I cannot thank him enough.”
Vaddis is just as impressive in the classroom with a cumulative GPA of 90.7786 and he has always been involved in activities throughout the school and in the North Hunterdon community.
“In school, Derek performs well in the classroom and excels in extracurricular activities,” added Kley. “He has been a consistent A/B student since his freshman year and has challenged himself with a variety of classes at different grade levels. Every teacher I have spoken to has been complimentary of his performance on assessments and his daily interactions with peers in class. Outside of the classroom, he is actively involved in multiple organizations and is a great friend to many students in the school.”
New Egypt’s Kimmick is all about business, on and off the field.
He sees his future as a financial analyst utilizing statistics and analyzing date relative to the economy.
A three-sport athlete at New Egypt, football, basketball and lacrosse Kimmick has shown leadership qualities in each sport.
Kimmick’s work in the classroom has been quite impressive. He has been a four-year member of the Business Academy at New Egypt. He will be interning with District — 12 Assemblyman Alex Sauickie.
“Devin is a well-rounded and enthusiastic student that is extremely proud of the Business Academy, our school and community,” said Lynn Pryzbylkowski, Business Academy Advisor. “He is open-minded, welcomes new ideas and concepts with a sense of pride with every decision he formulates. Devin balances school, work and extracurricular activities into his busy schedule. Devin is respectful to adults, he possesses exceptional leadership skills amongst his peers and he knows that is takes hard work to be successful. To add to these qualities, he is of excellent character that attributes and dedicates his time to academics. Devin is an active participant in all school activities and events where he is constantly showing his Warrior Pride for his school and community.”
Despite playing three sports and handling the academic grind, Kimmick works with Elegant Exteriors in the construction area, he is a Boy Scout and has participated in the Relay for Life.
“Devin has shown to be a person with the highest character and dedicated student that possesses a strong work ethic,” added Pryzbylkowski. “Having known Devin personally for many years and watching him grow up to be a fine young adult has been truly gratifying. Not only am I his teacher during senior year, I have been fortunate again to be his Business Academy Advisor. With his commitment to our school, being loyal, showing and having respect for himself and others illustrates his true integrity.”
Two very successful young men with an even brighter future.