Chozick wins Byram’s Roundtable Award

BYRAM — One student from Byram Intermediate School’s graduating eighth-grade class is nominated to receive the Superintendent’s Roundtable Award each year. The winner is chosen based on overall academic performance, participation in extracurricular activities, and citizenship qualities. Maura Chozick has been announced the winner for the 2011-12 school year. Chozick participates in many extracurricular activities, both through the school and township. She has been playing intramural sports for the school since fifth grade and has been running track for those four years as well. In sixth grade, Chozick joined the school’s soccer and basketball teams, and has been a member of them ever since. She also plays on a recreational lacrosse team, a recreational rugby team, a travel soccer team, a travel basketball team, and a summer swim team. Chozick began playing travel soccer when she was only nine. In fourth grade Chozick began playing with the Wildcats, a travel soccer team that was a grade ahead of her. Last year, Chozick’s team moved up to high school and she had to find somewhere else to play. Although it was hard for Chozick to leave a team she had been with for so long, she continued to play with a team in Highlands. Chozick said she cannot wait for high school when she will be reunited with her friends from the Wildcats. On Chozick’s summer swim team she helps younger swimmers when they cannot make it all the way across the lane, or those who are not confident enough to swim alone. She can almost always be found at the lake assisting a new swimmer across the lanes. Chozick has participated in SEEK, the gifted and talented program at Byram, since first grade. She joined Byram’s Environmental Club in sixth grade and has spent the last three years preparing for the bird festival this year. Chozick is proud of being an honor roll student, and being part of Mr. Brooks’ algebra class. She has been chosen to be the Student of the Month and has received multiple Principal Awards. Last year, Chozick was given a Character Counts Award for citizenship from the seventh-grade teachers at Byram Intermediate School. Two years ago, Chozick joined the first ever Squire Roses circle at Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha. Since Chozick joined, the circle has grown immensely. Chozick is an active participant in many of the Roses’ committees and is the head of the member’s committee. She is currently working on a service project to raise money and hair donations for Locks of Love. Through the Roses, Maura has participated in the annual soccer penalty-kick competition, the annual basketball free throw competition, a car wish, a bake sale, and many other activities. Chozick helped raise money for Birth Haven and hopes to help other charities in the coming years. Chozick said she would like to thank everyone who made the award a possibility, including her parents and brothers. She would also like to thank all of her teachers who have inspired her to continue learning with an open and positive attitude. The Superintendent’s Roundtable Awards luncheon will be held at the Lafayette House on May 25.