Practice, practice, practice pays off for McGowan

Absegami High School senior Cristian McGowan has been selected to be in the 2012 American High School Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall.

He will play trumpet in the Honors Orchestra.

Participation in the Honors Orchestra, Honors Band, and Honors Choir is limited to the highest rated high school performers from across North America and select international schools.

McGowan, who lives in Galloway, auditioned this fall. Acceptance, according to series organizers, is “a direct result of the talent, dedication, and achievements demonstrated.”

He will join other performers for a Sunday, Feb. 12 performance at world-famous Carnegie Hall, a venue that marks the pinnacle of musical achievement.

McGowan studies music with Cheryl Breitzman, Jim Glenn and Ben Fong and is a member of the Absegami Marching Band and the Absegami Concert Band.

He is also a member of the Absegami Crew team and participates in Galloway PAL basketball.

He recently performed with the Atlantic Cape Honors Band in its inaugural concert and with the Absegami pit band in the performance of “White Christmas.”

The Honors Performance group will spend five days in New York City in February to learn from Charles Peltz, work with other finalists and get a taste of New York City.

The 2012 conductors are Peltz, Jeffery Ames and Jeffrey Grogan.

The Feb. 12 performance is available to the public.

For information see www.honorsperformance.org.

Collin Wiener becomes an Eagle Scout

Collin Wiener of Galloway is Boy Scout troop 77’s latest Eagle Scout, passing his board of review Jan. 5.

His Eagle project consisted of constructing a set of railings for the steps of the Somers family cemetery, removing years of leaf piles, and trimming and cleaning the cemetery grounds adjacent to Greate Bay Villas on Somers Point-Mays Landing Road in Somers Point.

Wiener is an advanced placement student earning merit roll all marking periods, and he’s the goalie for the Absegami lacrosse team.

He hopes to attend one of the military academies: West Point, the Coast Guard Academy or the Naval Academy – and has been accepted in the summer leadership program at West Point.

He has also been accepted to the American Legion Boys State Program of Government at Rider College this summer. Although his summer is busy, he still plans to work as a lifeguard at local Galloway pools.

He received an Eagle Scout award at the Brigantine VFW post home Friday, Jan. 27 as part of an awards night there. The Brigantine VFW contributed toward the Somers cemetery project.

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony will be held May 8 to honor his Scouting achievements.

Dowe on president’s list

Allie Rose Dowe of Galloway has been named to the president’s list at Clemson University for the fall 2011 semester.

Dowe is majoring in English – writing and publication studies.

To be named to the president’s list, a student must achieve a perfect 4.0 grade-point average.

Northridge on dean’s list

Lena Northridge, a 2011 Absegami High School graduate is on the fall dean’s list at Temple University.  The daughter of Fran and Ted Northridge of Galloway, she is majoring in advertising.