Bordentown’s Hansford, Florence’s Dunphy are our first scholars up
John Paul Dunphy and Myles Hansford are two very gifted young men who have excelled on the football field, in the classroom and in giving back to their communities.
Due to their efforts on and off the field, Dunphy, from Florence High, and Hansford, from Bordentown High have been selected as their school’s honoree at the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame’s 62st Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner.
The Awards Dinner this year is dedicated to the memory of Steve Gazdek, the former Athletic Director at Steinert and Chapter Board Member.
The dinner is March 10 and begins at 2 p.m. at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal. Scholar-leader-athletes from 20 schools in Burlington, Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are being honored with $1,000 scholarships. For dinner/ticket information contact Steve Tuckerson at 609-202-4166 or email delval.nffhf@gmail.com.
There will be several scholarships awarded at the dinner, $5,000 — Jack Stephen Scholarship, $4,000 Chapter Scholarship, $3,000 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, $2,000 Ed Cook Scholarship and $1,500 Ed “Windy” Morris Scholarship.
The other Scholar-LeaderAthlete seniors being honored are Allentown’s Luke Wiedau, Ewing’s Tyler Seaton, Hamilton West’s Connor Mooney, Hightstown’s Yasin Elhossieni, Hopewell Valley’s Nathan
Tewell, Hun’s Dillon Bucchere, Lawrence’s Jaiveer Sunda, Lawrenceville’s Jack Rice, New Egypt’s Carter Hughes, Notre Dame’s John Beacham, Nottingham’s Antonio Martinez, Peddie’s Jackson Boone, Pennington’s John Thomas Shamsey, Princeton’s Evan Pease, Robbinsville’s Sebastian Leigh, Steinert’s Michael Rizzo, Trenton’s Damon Jennings and West Windsor-Plainsboro’s Ryan Beske.
Dunphy had the privilege of leading the Florence in coach Joe Frappolli’s final season and it created a wonderful memory.
“As starting quarterback over two seasons he led his team to two West Jersey Football League championships, two state playoffs berths,” said Florence coach Joe Frappolli, who is also Dunphy’s grandfather. “He’s played through recurring back injuries this past season that were so debilitating and painful at times that he could hardly walk, let alone play in a football game, without
pain. He was totally committed to his teammates. Want to talk about a real warrior a servant leader, that’s John Paul Dunphy in a nutshell.”
Dunphy has shown great leadership off field, too as he is the Student Council President at Florence and he leads by example in the classroom as a member of the National Honor Society.
“John Paul’s academic and career goals reflect his commitment to educational excellence and personal growth,” said Donna Ambrosius, the Florence Township Superintendent of Schools. “His effective communication skills, poised demeanor, and natural leadership abilities reflect his eagerness to make a meaningful impact on his community and society at large. What sets John Paul apart is his eagerness to embrace new challenges and adapt to the ever-evolving landscape of education, signifying a genuine thirst for learning and self-improvement.”
Dunphy brought that
same thirst to the field, the classroom and in serving the Florence Township community.
“John Paul Dunphy is a remarkable young individual whose journey through the Florence Township School District has left an indelible mark on our community,” said Ambrosius.
The accolades for Hansford as just as glowing as he excelled on the football field, in the classroom and the community.
“I have served as Myles’ School Counselor during his time at Bordentown Regional High School,” Elijah Blackwell, Bordentown Regional School Counselor. “Through my role, I have been able to witness Myles exhibit the leadership, intellect, determination, and motivation that I believe would make him an excellent college student. I wholeheartedly believe that this educational opportunity would be an incredible enhancement to the strengths and potential that Myles currently possesses.” Hansford possesses a GPA of 93.99 to show his educational excellence,
He has been involved in BRHS football for four years and Hansford was 2022 South Jersey Offensive Player of the Year.
Hansford is a three-sport athlete participating in football, basketball and track and he has earned 12 varsity letters.
Myles has played multiple positions for our team,” said Bordentown football coach Skip Edwards. “Myles has demonstrated a keen sense for the positions he has played. In his sophomore year he was pressed to step into the quarterback position on a day’s notice and lead the team to two victories. In his junior year he had to replace the QB once again for two games. He led the team to victories in both the games. During his career on the offensive side of the football he played receiver and led the team in receptions his junior year.
Playing on both sides of the ball this season he threw for 1,000 yards and 14 touchdowns and on the defensive side he returned three interceptions for touchdowns this season.
“From his grades in the classroom to the mentorship he has provided to young students around him, Myles has truly impacted our building during his time here,” declared Blackwell. “The primary mission of the Bordentown Regional School District is to assist in the cultivation of critically thinking, respectful, and well educated students. I not only believe that Myles has demonstrated these qualities.”