Ryan Swift, 17, a Morristown High School student, completed the Olympic Distance Red Bank Triathlon Sunday, May 15, finishing first in the 15-19 age group and 45th place overall. The triathlon combined a 1.5 kilometer swim in the Navesink River, with a 40 kilometer bike race and 10 kilometer run through the streets of Red Bank. Ryan, who has swam competitively since age 6, capitialized on his strongest event. The 60 degree water eliminated many competitors quickly but Ryan emerged from the swim leg in 9th place overall. Quickly transitioning to the bike, Ryan maintained a 19 mile per hour …

You got in just as the door was closing, Stephanie! Now, you're an adult! Stephanie McDonald, an outgoing dual Spanish and business administration major with an emphasis in finance and a minor in global studies was the recipient of the 2011 Marist College Intern of the Year Award. McDonald, a resident of Morris Plains and Morristown High School graduate, received her award on April 28 at the Field Experience Recognition Luncheon. McDonald has been a Dean's List student for all of her semesters at Marist and studied abroad in Madrid, Spain. She participated in three internships: BASF in …

When tomorrow's leaders work on making today a better place, we take notice. Morristown-Beard students, including several from Morristown, recently raised $2,600 to support Miles for Matheny, the fundraiser and community event held in April at Natirar Park in Peapack-Gladstone to support the Matheny Medical and Educational Center, a special hospital and educational facility for children and adults with medically complex developmental disabilities.

Brenna Lade is on the attack. At least, that's the name of her position on the lacrosse team at Iona College, in New Rochelle, N.Y. And, for her efforts on the field, and in the classroom, this Morristown High School Class of 2010 graduate was named our "Whiz Kid" of the week. Before the 19-year-old started tearing things up at Iona (most recently being named "Co-Rookie of the Week" on April 15), she earned nine varsity letters in lacrosse, soccer and basketball at Morristown High School. Lade led the lacrosse team in goals, assists and points in each of her final three seasons, and was named…

When Morris Township-Morris Plains Patch Editor Kathy Shaskan first mentioned that she had a high school student photographing an assignment, my first question was: Is he any good? Little did I realize Jacob Byk, an 18-year-old senior at Morristown High School, knew his way around a camera just fine. Since that first freelance assignment, Jacob has become one of our regular "go-to" guys for Morristown, Morris Township and Morris Plains assignments. Whether it's photographing the MHS theater department taking over the Morristown Diner, or capturing the stillness of a snowy day, Jacob has …

Who are you guys? We are Dakota Badlands! So shouts lead guitar and vocalist, Ricky Dolinsky, a 16-year-old junior at Morristown High School. Along with his fellow bandmates, the group plays a form of garage rock, with Ricky anchoring the stage. "We believe that stage presence is key," Ricky says. "Any band can go up there and play a show. We like to put on show. If you make an electrifying performance, then the crowd gets into it, and thats how you win them over." Dakota Badlands has an EP out currently, released last year titled "Streets of Verona," and will be releasing another in the …

Diandra Marks, 15,  just celebrated the highlight of her decade-plus career as a dancer when she played Clara in the New Jersey Ballet's performance of "Nutcracker" at The Community Theatre in December. The sophomore said it was especially exciting to enjoy her big moment so close to home where relatives and friends could easily attend. "It was a lot of fun," the ballerina said. "They've (NJ Ballet) done it at the Papermill forever but this was the first time at the Community Theatre." Marks said her mother enrolled her and her older sister, who is currently a competitive cheerleader …

We already know moms are awesome. That's why so many of them have signed on to work with Patch to help their fellow local mothers get the type of information that really matters to them. But now we want to hear about awesome kids, too. Did your daughter just help win a big game, or is your son wowing the neighborhood with his violin skills? Did she get straight A's last marking period, or did he help the community with an Eagle Scout project? It doesn't matter how big or small an accomplishment is—kids find countless ways to make their parents and loved ones proud. And we'd like to spread the…

For many of us, to be able to ski, or to make sense of complicated financial markets, would be an accomplishment. To do both would be an enormous feat. Now, imagine being able to do both at age 11. That's exactly what Callie Sundin, a fifth-grader at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, has already accomplished. That's why we named her our "Whiz Kid" of the week. Callie, which Morristown Patch wrote about in February for her award from the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) Foundation, for her winning entry in a national contest, also was recently ranked No. 1 in New…

Morristown-Beard School freshman Zoe Steinberg ’14 recently won the ABS (American Bouldering Series) National Rock Climbing Tournament in Boulder, Colorado. To capture the title, Zoe placed first among the 33 girls in the 13-15 age bracket. The ABS Tournament is scored based on an on-sight format. All the participants warm up in a different location and even when the competition begins, they are still not allowed to see the course until it is their turn.Steinberg has been dedicated to this sport since she was five years old. She practices five days a week for two and a half hours each day. …

While Delbarton does not have a formal fencing program, the absence of one has not prevented junior Michael Woo, class of 2012, from competing as an individual athlete in the sport. Over the three day President's weekend Woo flew to Dallas, TX where he competed in the fencing Junior Olympics and placed 2nd out of the 200 fencers who qualified for the Cadet Division Foil (17 and under). Woo also placed 5th out of 198 in Jr. Foil Division (under 20) and was selected to be an alternate representing the United States in the Jr. World Cup 2011 in Jordan. Our resident fencer finished the …

Patch Whiz Kids of the Week: Thirteen students from the Peter Smith School of Irish Dance who competed in the Morristown's Got Talent! competition. Whiz Kids Nominated By: Morris Township-Morris Plains Patch Editor Kathy Shaskan. Whiz Kids' Base of Operations: Based at St. Virgil in Morris Plains Whiz Kids' Accomplishments: When students at the Peter Smith School of Irish Dance were asked if they'd like to participate in the Morristown's Got Talent competition, 13 members volunteered. The group had never competed together before and they ranged in age from seven to 27. As if that wasn't …

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Erin McDonnell of Morristown. Whiz Kid Nominated By: Morristown Patch Editor John Dunphy (after being tipped off by Erin's school) Whiz Kid's School: Senior at Kent Place School of Summit. Whiz Kid's Accomplishments: On Sunday, Feb. 6, Erin took part in a celebration of success at the 19th annual New Jersey National Girls and Women in Sports Day at Seton Hall University. The awards ceremony is part of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the National Girls and Women in Sports Day, celebrated on Feb. 2. The day celebrates the athletic achievements of women and…

Patch Whiz Kid of the Week: Zack Certner of Morris Township. Whiz Kid Nominated By: Morris Township-Morris Plains Patch Editor Kathy Shaskan. Whiz Kid's School: Freshman at Morristown High School. Whiz Kid's Accomplishments:  Zack Certner is the President and Director of a non-profit organization called SNAP, which stands for Special Needs Athletic Programs. His older brother Matthew got the ball rolling, starting a series of clinics that allowed special needs children to have the ordinary sports experiences that other kids take for granted. Zack worked on the program from the time he was 9 …