Top of the Class of 2006

Old Bridge High School

Valedictorian:

Mahroof Azhar

Age: 18

GPA:

In the 5.4 range

SAT Score:

2110

College:

Stanford University, California

Intended Major: Human biology,

a specialized major

at Stanford.

Career Goal:

"I think that medicine will be a good match," Azhar said. He said medicine

is fulfilling and that he has always had

an interest in most sciences. Azhar is

aiming to become a doctor and possibly

a pediatrician, but is open to other fields like research.

Academic Success Strategy:

"Overall hard work and dedication will pay off in the long run."

Awards:

India Cultural Association of Central New Jersey Award for valedictorian; Woman's Club of Laurence Harbor Scholarship Award for valedictorian; Old Bridge High School Spanish Honor Society award; OBHS National Honor Society award; OBHS Interact Service Scholarship; OBHS Premedical Society Presidential Award;

The Old Bridge Elks Most Valuable Student Contest Award, which Azhar won at both the local and national levels; the Kiwanis Club of Old Bridge Scholarship Award; The Rita Peterson Memorial Scholarship Award; the Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar Award; President's Award for Educational Excellence; College Board Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Letter of Commendation for PSAT score; Rotary Youth Leadership Award; Future Business Leaders of America State Award for Gold Officer; finalist for the Quest Scholars Program.

School and Community Involvement: National Honor Society; Spanish Honor Society; Future Business Leaders of America membership vice president

junior year; Premedical Society computer consultant sophomore year, vice president junior year, and co-president this year with salutatorian Anthony Fernandes; the Old Bridge/Sayreville Rotary-sponsored Interact community service club vice president

sophomore year, Board of Directors junior year, president senior year; Student Humane Society, whose members volunteer at the local animal shelter and help with the annual Pooch Parade at Geick Park; Asian Club; volunteered four hours per week at Raritan Bay Medical Center for two years in high school; Raritan Bay Medical Center Junior Auxiliary Club member since junior year, through which Azhar participates in fundraising and helping with holiday crafts for patients.

Advanced Placement:

Azhar filled his senior year schedule with all AP classes. "My goal for the AP classes was to take a full course load of classes that are comparable to college and try to manage to get A's in all of them." Though he noted the difficulty of the year, he graduated with a final grade of A- or better in every one. He took a total of 9 AP classes in high school and sat for 12 AP exams.

Favorite Teacher:

Mr. Goodman for Honors and AP Physics. "He taught me to have a sense of professionalism and good character, basically," Azhar said. He added that Goodman listened to his worries about college success. Academically, Goodman is "always willing to stay and help you with anything you need."

Favorite Activities:

"I like to go to sleep, that's my number one thing to do," Azhar said. In his conscious hours, he enjoys movies, hanging out with friends, and the beach.

Favorite Local Restaurant:

"Let's just say that I like Wendy's."

Life and Lit:

Azhar, who is Pakistani, was born in Zambia, Africa, and immigrated to the

United States with his parents at the

age of 5. He only spoke Urdu and went through English as a Second Language in elementary school. In this vein, the Stanford rising freshman's favorite book

is F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" because of its thematic relevance to the American dream.

On Old Bridge:

"I've met people along the way and they always pop up somewhere," Azhar said. Going to school on the West Coast means leaving the many people he met through

various activities. He also said he will miss the teachers he had from middle school to the present.

Old Bridge Lessons:

"Things have a way of working themselves out basically," Azhar said. "I would be this worried person, always worrying about things, and I even had a talk with a teacher once, and toward the end of the year everything does work out."

What would be the name of the movie about your high school experiences?

'Always Under Construction.'

Salutatorian:

Anthony Fernandes

Age: 17

GPA: In the 5.3 range

SAT Score: 2270

College:

Rutgers University.

Intended Major: Genetics. Fernandes said he would most likely major in the field because he wants to be a physician.

Medicine's Appeal:

"I think it's just the ability to help others," Fernandes said.

Academic Success Strategy:

"I think it's just hard work and

determination, and even when challenges come up, I try to face them and do the best that I can."

Awards:

Old Bridge High School French Honor Society award; OBHS Premedical Society award; OBHS National Honor Society award; Old Bridge Township Parent Teacher Association award; Kearny Federal Savings Charitable Foundation award

Organizations:

National Honor Society; French Honor Society; Premedical Society treasurer junior year, co-president senior year with

valedictorian Mahroof Azhar; Academic Team; the Old Bridge/Sayreville

Rotary-sponsored Interact community

service club; Future Business Leaders of America member and co-chair of fundraising committee sophomore year; volunteer at Raritan Bay Medical Center for the last two and a half years

Favorite Local Restaurant:

"I think I would actually have to go with my mom's cooking," Fernandes said, noting her grilled seafood and in particular grilled shrimp as favorites.

Favorite Books:

"The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini and Elie Wiesel's "Night"

Movies and Music:

"The Matrix," "Batman Begins" and any "Lord of the Rings" film; the band Linkin Park

Active in Old Bridge:

Fernandes enjoys playing tennis, basketball, football and Frisbee with friends

Bridging the Gap:

Fernandes said he will miss "the great

variety of friends that I made." With about 3,000 students enrolled in the high school, Fernandes said there was a close and friendly atmosphere where parents would also get to know one another. He thinks Rutgers will be the same, he said.

What would be the name of the movie about your high school experiences?

"Remember When." Fernandes said that

Old Bridge has so many students that

each one would have his or her own story, and the movie would in turn follow and record certain students in their daily

interactions.

- Compiled by Christine Grimaldi

Note: Highest possible SAT score is 2400