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RAMAPO INDIAN HILLS
REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
Maximizing opportunities to meet the needs of all students for a meaningful life
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Indian Hills Student Achievement | |
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JESSICA STRICKLAND - VALEDICTORIAN
Not only does Jessica Strickland stand at the top of her class academically, but she also has dedicated her time to her passions for flying, adventure, music, dance, writing, and serving others. Jessica has been taking flight lessons since middle school and has completed both ground school and air hours to attain her student pilot license. In addition, Jessica’s thirst for adventure led her to hike the Colorado Trail in the summer of 2021. She backpacked for five hundred miles from Denver to Durango, spending thirty nights in a tent and was the youngest person on the trail that summer. Jessica also expresses her creative side through music, dance, and writing. She has been doing Aerial Dance for the past seven years, practicing three times a week and creating her own original choreography. She has also written two fantasy/dystopian novels and has been writing music compositions and playing piano for over a decade. Jessica serves as the Director of Creative Arts for Interact, participated in Relay for Life, Holiday Festival, and Alzheimers walks, and has been an integral member of our award-winning DECA club. Jessica will be attending the University of Chicago and is considering focusing her future studies in physics, economics, or mathematics, and is not ruling out a minor in Spanish.
CHRISTINE PENG - SALUTATORIAN
Senior Christine Peng has been given the honor and recognition of being the Class of 2023's Salutatorian. Christine is a part of the Science, Medicine, and Research University Program. During her time in the program, not only was Christine nominated for the NJ Governor's School in Science, but also spearheaded the project titled 'Give and Grow', which was an educational gardening plan designed to meet the needs of families that had experienced employment instability and food insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This classroom project transformed into a long-standing initiative for Christine. Not only was her project selected for the NJECC Design Thinking Challenge competition for leading innovation in learning environments using technology in New Jersey, but won first place. Christine went on to collaborate with the Horticulture classes and the Interact Club in order to incorporate her gardening infrastructure on campus in both collaborative and philanthropic ways. Christine is also a member of the National Honors Society, Academic Decathlon, Inscape, Asian Appreciation Club, Physics League, and Math Team. Outside of the walls of Indian Hills she is a competitive piano player and artist. Just recently, she was the National Scholastic Regional Gold Key Winner for poetry. Christine will attend Brown University in the fall and will pursue studies in English and Environmental Studies.
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JAMES WONG - VALEDICTORIAN
Extremely intelligent and intrinsically motivated, James Wong is a humble individual with a genuine dedication to making a positive contribution. As an academic, James has consistently earned straight A’s and a spot on the Ramapo-Indian Hills Superintendent’s List during every marking period of his high school career. As a senior, he continues to challenge himself with a rigorous scheduling including five Advanced Placement classes and an Honors / Dual Enrollment option. As a result of his performance on several Advanced Placement exams in past years, James has received the title of AP Scholar with Distinction. James is highly engaged and consistently goes above what is asked of him.
At Ramapo, James has left his mark on several organizations. He has played tennis on the Ramapo Tennis Team and earned a spot on Varsity as a junior. He also is a very talented saxophone player. He has always been a part of the Ramapo band, performing at numerous shows over the years, many of which with solos. He has also been invited to the exclusive Jazz Band and named First Chair tenor saxophone in the Ensembles. Every fall, James has been a leader in the Marching Band. Because of his proven leadership, he also has been selected to lead a group of new freshmen this year as a Senior Ambassador and completes community service in the National Honor Society. James is excited to explore the area of environmental science and entomology in college.
RENEE DEBELLIS - SALUTATORIAN
The Administration and Faculty of Ramapo High School are excited to announce and congratulate Senior Renee De Bellis who has earned the honor and recognition of being the Class of 2023’s Salutatorian. Renee has consistently challenged herself academically. Due to her hard work, commitment and dedication she was selected to be the National Honor Society as a junior, she was also nominated by Ramapo High School’s Science Department as a candidate for the New Jersey Governor’s School program and she advanced to the finalist round for the New Jersey Scholars program. She has also been recognized for a number of medals/awards in various disciplines. In addition, Renee is a solid community citizen that is always considerate of and empathetic to other people’s opinions, needs, thoughts and feelings. She thoroughly enjoys sharing her time with others through volunteering and community activism. Whether working with disabled children at Pony Power, assisting at community gardens that feed the homeless, or walking in fundraisers for mental health awareness she likes to roll up her sleeves and get involved in causes that are larger than her. Renee plans to attend the University of Delaware in the fall.
| Indian Hills Unsung Hero - Marco Festa | |
We're pleased to announce that Marco Festa is the recipient of the Bergen County School Boards Association 2023 Unsung Heroes Student Recognition. Marco is a senior at Indian Hills High School and has been a visible embodiment of the Braves Spirit since he was a freshman. Marco has been involved with our Cross-Country, Track, and Baseball teams. When Marco is not in the athletic arena he enjoys volunteering for Challengers Sports, a program that helps children with disabilities participate in recreational sports. He understands how important it is to just be able to play and wants to help make sure all kids can have that opportunity to feel like they are a part of a team. In addition, Marco spent months organizing and setting up a wiffle ball fundraiser in our community to raise money for Athletes Without Limits, a charity near and dear to his heart.
The TNT (Teens Need Teens) Club helps to foster a community of engagement, support, and spirit for our school. Marco was selected by staff members to be one of the few seniors to lead this group. The group is tasked with helping to create a positive and welcoming environment in our school building, through mentoring new students to the area, offering activities that foster good choices, and helping with community outreach events. Through his work with the TNT organization, Marco was a lead figure in meeting with eighth graders to discuss the transition into high school and encouraging the younger students to be actively engaged in their school community. Through events like these, Marco has provided an example to our incoming students of what it means to be an Indian Hills Brave.
In his four years with us he has proven to be smart, resilient, and active in all parts of our culture.
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Ramapo Unsung Hero - Gabrielle Tanen | |
It is a pleasure to announce and congratulate RHS Senior Gabrielle Tanen who was nominated and the recipient of the Bergen County School Boards Association 2023 Unsung Heroes Student Recognition. Gabrielle was recognized as a student who makes Ramapo High School a better place simply because she is part of it. She is an exceptionally engaged student at RHS and her leadership ability is paramount. Gabrielle earned the NJ Seal of Biliteracy for Spanish and has a solid work ethic. She is a committed member of various extracurriculars such as the Gold Masque Drama Club with performances in six shows, Captain of the RHS Girls Varsity Swim Team, Senior Ambassador for the Freshman Outreach Program, and has held multiple RHS club officer roles. Gabrielle also finds time to volunteer for community organizations and hold a part-time job. She is friendly, upbeat, enthusiastic, and a model student who has immersed herself into her academics and a variety of extracurricular activities while at Ramapo. Gabrielle will most definitely continue to make positive and notable contributions in the future. | |
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School Calendar
2022 - 2023
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School Calendar
2023 - 2024
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Welcome to the
Ramapo High School APTS
Association of Parents, Teachers & Students
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Welcome to the
Indian Hills High School PTSO
Parent, Teacher, Student Organization
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The Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education implemented a new video streaming platform on our District webpage. RIH Board of Education meetings may be viewed directly on our District website by clicking here or at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/RIHBOELivestream
Archived Board of Education videos may be accessed at the following link. Additional information is available on the District webpage under the Board of Ed tab at the top of the page.
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