Hopewell’s Tewell, ND’s Beacham big in the trenches, even bigger scholars
Hopewell Valley and Notre Dame played probably the most exciting football game of the 2023 season, and while the Bulldogs’ Nate Tewell and Irish’s Jack Beacham were in the trenches and not the headlines, it was their continuous efforts making it all possible.
While Tewell and Beacham are superb football players on the field they have proven to be just as capable in the classroom and two young men always willing to better the community.
It is because of their many admirable traits 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 62st Annual George Wah ScholarLeader-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-leaderathletes 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 additional 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-Leader-Athlete seniors being honored are Allentown’s Luke Wiedau, Bordentown’s Myles Hansford, Ewing’s Tyler Seaton, Hamilton West’s Connor Mooney, Florence’s John Paul Dunphy, Hightstown’s Yasin Elhossieni, Hun’s Dillon Bucchere, Lawrence’s Jaiveer Sunda, Lawrenceville’s Jack Rice, New Egypt’s Carter Hughes, 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.
Tewell has been a four-year member of the Hopewell Valley football program and a peer captain and he competes in the shot put and the discus in winter and spring track.
“The culture of our football program is maintained around the work and leadership of Nate Tewell,” said Hopewell Valley coach Dave Caldwell. “Nate leads in the weight room, on the fields, in the classrooms and in the community. I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand Nate’s dedication to being the absolute best student, leader and athlete he can be.”
This very talented young man is one that leads by example.
“Nate has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership abilities on and off the field, serving as a positive role model for his teammates and peers,” Caldwell stated. “Nate is a member of the National Honor Society with 3.9GPA while taking honors and AP classes. Nate is also a member of the Hopewell Valley Choir and the student led all male Acapella Group. On Friday night, Nate would sing the national anthem then play in the football game.”
He has been working at Stonybrook Gardens for several years
and Tewell has been involved with The Chubby’s Project, which is dedicated to food justice and building connections throughout the Hopewell community.
Nathan’s attentiveness to his work speaks to the gracious way he approaches all aspects of his life, as he is genuine, inquisitive, and tenacious,” stated Kimberly Siris, Hopewell Valley, English teacher. “Nathan is a conscientious student and person, with a lively curiosity that makes him an active participant in class. Nathan exhibits a distinct maturity and is a natural leader. His classmates gravitate towards him, as he is smart, kind and respected. Discussions are an integral part of the English Honors classroom and Nathan is always a thoughtful contributor and listener.”
One of ND’s Beacham greatest traits is his desire to accept any challenge that comes his way and to succeed.
“Rarely do student athletes thank you for challenging them to reach higher than before to become the person they can be, to learn from failure,” said Irish coach Sean Clancy. “As a coach you know the student athletes you can challenge. Jack has the confidence needed to be always reaching for his best on the field, as a community leader and in the classroom. He sees challenge as a learning opportunity and embraces hard work. I am excited about the future for this young man. While attending our school, Jack has demonstrated a consistent drive to learn and has taken advantage of the full range of academic, athletic, and service opportunities provided.”
Beacham was a three-year starter and an All-West Jersey Football League performer in football and he also participates in basketball and lacrosse.
“Viewed as a leader in the classroom, Jack has also taken a prominent role in Notre Dame’s nationally acclaimed Service Learning Program and in the community,” added Clancy. “Through the service program, Jack has worked to help feed homeless families and to provide birthday and Christmas celebrations for children living in local shelters. Eager to take an active role in school life, Jack has helped the Catholic Athletes for Christ raise over $60,000 for Special Olympics, is instrumental in our twice yearly diaper drives, tutors younger students and is active in our campus ministry.”
Despite all is athletic and community involvement Beacham has found the time to be an excellent student and an individual with a very bright future.
“Jack ranks as one of the most thoughtful and courteous young men I’ve ever had in my classroom,” stated Jason Patton, teacher “It is blatantly obvious to anyone that interacts with him that he values respect, dignity, and kindness. He was a pillar of maturity in my classroom over two years and certainly commanded the respect and admiration of his peers. He’s an excellent role model.”
A role model that loves being challenged in the classroom, too.
“I could always rely on him to complete any task I assigned with his best effort,” said Patton. “Jack admitted to me that he was grateful for the difficulties he was faced with over the school year as they challenged him to become more self-motivated and improve his time management skills.”
Beacham and Hopewell Valley’s Tewell are two who define scholar-athlete-leader.