Jillian DiBiase is Hampton Rotary ‘student of the month'

Hampton - Kittatinny senior Jillian Anne DiBiase was recently recognized by the Hampton Rotary as “student of the month” for her many volunteer efforts towards community service. She is the daughter of Judith and Thomas DiBiase of Fredon. DiBiase has served the school as a cross-age mentor and teacher, a program in which high-school students visit local elementary schools to warn students of the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol. She was also involved in the character education program for eighth-graders, where students discuss the importance of morals and values. She was a peer leader and mentor, a program which helps junior-high students adapt to high school and learn how to serve the community. For three years, she worked at the Stokes State Forest Leadership Training Camp, a camp-out in the summer where students get involved in seminars on leadership, trust and responsibility, and they also clean up the area as a community service project. In addition, DiBiase participated in Habitat for Humanity, the senior citizen outreach program, K3D, and the Homestead senior citizen visitation and caroling program. She volunteered for many fund-raising activities and food drives for the homeless, and she was involved in church youth groups. She helped the community recreation programs by donating time as the cheerleading coach for Kittatinny midget football. A member of the National Honor Society, DiBiase has also participated in many academic programs during her four years at Kittatinny. She was a member of the international club, the science and math leagues, the academic team, and the Future Business Leaders of America. She was “student of the month” in October 2005 and was a nominee for N.J. Girls State. She was named an Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar earlier this year. In sports, she was captain of the junior varsity field hockey team, participated in varsity track and field, and received honorable mention for N.J. All-League Track in 2005. “Jillian DiBiase is a great example of Kittatinny’s exemplary student leadership,” said Susan Kappler, Kittatinny principal. “She is ranked second in her class of 198 students and she consistently sets an outstanding example to younger students by serving the school community in many academic and extracurricular pursuits. She will be missed when she graduates.”