Middle School
Heather Masterson was named the Marlboro Middle School Student of the Month for February by her Spanish teacher Thomas Tarchine, on behalf of the Foreign Languages Department.

Tarchine said Heather entered his classroom with a limited knowledge of Spanish, “but from day one I knew she had an aptitude for languages, mainly because of her impeccable accent.” He said Heather continues to hone her language skills, “and still maintains a curious and positive outlook toward Spanish.”

Tarchine said Heather helps her peers out when they are struggling, participates by asking daily warm-up questions, “and always arrives to class with a smile.”

Tarchine said he is proud to have Heather as his student this year, “and I am certain that she will continue to prosper both academically and socially. Her hard work and dedication are an inspiration to those around her and to myself. Congratulations.”

High School
Emily Rifkin was named the Marlboro High School Art Student of the Month for February by art teachers Amy Trembly and Rachael Elder.

“Emily is an outstanding and conscientious student in all of her art classes. She stretches herself beyond traditional boundaries in terms of creativity, times spent on projects and her overall attitude,” Trembly said.

Elder pointed out that Emily has received four Silver Key Awards and five Honorable Mention Awards in the regional Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
“She has also become one of the school’s Personal Photographers helping to take pictures at school assemblies, proms and graduations,” Elder said.

Trembly said Emily always gives 100% of herself to any project.

“At first I thought her passion in Art was photography but this year she branched out and took Ceramics and AP Art,” she said. “I think she surprised herself at how talented she is. She is one of the most dedicated students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching.”

Elder said Emily is an asset to any course she takes.

“She helps students with perfecting their skills and is always ready for a critique and she is constantly growing through learning techniques,” Elder said.

“I believe she has grown immensely by trying new art forms and our classrooms have grown through her supportive attitude.”

Trembly concluded by telling Emily that she will be missed as she is graduating in June.

Elementary School
Ariana Walker was named the Marlboro Elementary School Student of the Month for February by her kindergarten teacher Brittany Toapha.

“Ariana is an individual who shows her motivation to learn and be a leader in our classroom,” Toapha said. “Ariana is always helping her peers no matter what the problem is and she always looks for all the positives in our daily routine. I am so proud of her and all of her kindness and hard work in kindergarten so far.”

Toapha read some comments about Ariana from her classmates: “I like Ariana because she stands up for herself; she is my best friend; she is so super nice and we love her; I love Ariana because she doesn’t give up and Miss Toapha said I love Ariana because she is honest, compassionate and strong and another student said I love Ariana because she is a great student. There are so many more that you can read about all the reasons to love Ariana.”

Superintendent Michael Brooks offered a few comments about these Students of the Month for February.

“These are those special moments where we have such wonderful students brought to us each month and it is especially poignant when we have such talented people in the audience who have taught these children,” he said.
Brooks highlighted a few key phrases that speak to these special students.
“When you hear they have a knack for languages because of their grasp of the accent, it’s wonderful; they’re helpful, they stretch boundaries, they’re regional award winners, they smile, they’re dedicated, constantly growing and honest.

These are characteristics of great people. Teachers thank you so much for instilling these kinds of values in great people and families I thank you for sending us great people each and every day...so Emily, Ariana and Heather thank you for being who you are and keep doing that; strive for more and be excellent and as always Go Dukes. Thank you very much and congratulations.”