Senior Dave Mugavero of North Hunterdon High School was the male winner of the third annual Frank Baldachino Scholarship Award through the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey (DAANJ). Mr. Deutsch completed a recommendation for Dave and he won the scholarship.
As the state winner, Dave will receive a $250 scholarship and a plaque. Dave’s application and essay submission will be considered for the sectional competition. If he wins the sectional competition, which awards a $1,000 scholarship, he has the chance to enter the national competition for a chance at a $2,000 scholarship.
Qualification for the Frank Baldachino Scholarship include a minimum of B+ average, a ranking in the top 25 percent of class, ACT score of 24 or SAT score of 1100; participation in two sports for two years in each sport; a varsity letter in each of the two sports; and a letter of recommendation signed from the high school Athletic Administrator.
Throughout his four years at North, Dave’s participation in athletics has included:
- 2010-2014 Varsity Cross Country – 4 years
- 2010-2014 Varsity Winter Track – 4 years
- 2010-2014 Varsity Spring track – 4 years
- Won First Team Awards for the Skyland Conference, Express Times, Courier News and Hunterdon Democrat.
- The Express Times and Courier News – All Area First team
- The Express Times Runner of the Week
- All West Jersey Star Ledger – First team Cross Country
- Won the Shore Coaches Invitational
- He placed second in the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex County and Skyland Conference Cross Country Championships.
- He was third in Sectional and Group IV NJSIAA competition
The Frank Baldachino Essay Scholarship Award History:
In accordance with National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association’s (NIAAA) purpose to promote, facilitate and increase the knowledge and understanding of the vital role of interscholastic athletics in the educational system, this scholarship program will foster and recognize the partnership between the NIAAA and secondary education. The Baldachino Scholarships will recognize the distinguished scholastic, leadership and sportsmanship attributes of high school student-athletes, and the importance of high school athletics in each student’s life.
Essay Topic: “How High School Athletics Has Impacted My Life”