Kaitlyn Smith is Sussex County roundtable award winner

Stanhope — Valley Road School in Stanhope recently announced eighth grader Kaitlyn Smith as their Sussex County superintendent roundtable winner. Kaitlyn is ranked fifth academically and has been on the high honor and honor rolls during her years at Valley Road School. In the past year, she was nominated to go to Washington, D.C., to the People to People Leadership Forum. She was recommended by her language arts teacher, Mrs. Fehir for her leadership skills and good grades. Kaitlyn is a Valley Road peer helper, on the yearbook staff, and member of the Chargers cheerleading squad. She has played the clarinet in the school band since fourth grade, has participated in the Sussex County Honors Band and the All Schools Concert at Lenape Valley Regional High School. Kaitlyn has also performed in the school musicals for the past three years. Kaitlyn is in the Gifted and Talented program taught by Mrs. Frazell. For the past four years, the program has participated in the Odyssey of the Mind competition. As last year’s team captain, Kaitlyn had the honor of leading her team through to the qualifying round to state finals. Along with her many academic accomplishments, Kaitlyn donates a lot of her free time to the community. She is involved in food drives through her church and helps with donations to local food banks throughout the county. She also participated in local politics by organizing a petition on the subject of eminent domain, which was affecting one of the Stanhope residents. Having attended and spoken on behalf of her group during a Stanhope council meeting, Kaitlyn was commended by Stanhope’s mayor and council on her courage and community involvement.