SARAH CEHELYK of East Brunswick

SARAH CEHELYK of East Brunswick, a senior at Golda Och Academy (GOA) in West Orange, has been awarded the prestigious 2018 Horatio Alger National Scholarship. With more than 40,000 applicants, Sarah is one of only 106 high school students throughout the U.S. to receive this award, which according to the organization, “recognizes outstanding students, who, in the face of great personal adversity, have exhibited an unwavering commitment to pursue their dreams through higher education.” 

“We are incredibly proud of Sarah for receiving such a prestigious award,” said Adam Shapiro, head of School at GOA. “She is a strong individual, an exemplary student, and a role model to her peers. Much like the Horatio Alger Association, we too recognize Sarah’s perseverance and could not think of a more deserving person for this honor.”

As a National Scholar, Sarah will receive $25,000 toward her undergraduate education at Muhlenberg College, where she will attend this fall. In addition to dedicating herself to her studies, Sarah is a committed volunteer with the Friendship Circle of Central Jersey, working with children with special needs. 

In addition to her work with the Friendship Circle, Sarah volunteers every Sunday morning at her local Hebrew school. 

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At GOA, she participates in several clubs and extracurricular activities, including the choir, yearbook, National Honor Society, and the school newspaper, The Flame. Sarah is president of the Community Clothing Club where she has organized multiple clothing drives. This year, Sarah helped the club kick off a formal wear drive, which she said was most rewarding because it involved the entire student body and provided people with limited financial resources the opportunity to feel glamorous.