Silber, Carra Honored as Scholar-Athletes

Two of ’s finest were honored Wednesdayby the Somerset County High School Principals’ Association as scholar-athletes.

Honored at the 28th Annual Somerset County Interscholastic Athletic Association (SCIAA) award dinner, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Somerset, were Ben Silber and Lydia Carra.

The award, according to Watchung Hills Regional High School principal, and event chairman, Dr. Thomas F. DiGanci, “acknowledges the accomplishments of a fine group of young men and women.”

“We recognize the excellence and commitment of our youth,” he said, adding that their achievements say that “anything can be accomplished.”

Each of the principals in the Somerset County high schools nominated two students [one male and one female] “for their work in the classroom and in the athletic arena,” explained Hillsborough High School principal Karen Bingert, president of the principals’ association.

“The tradition of excellence continues today as a result of your outstanding achievements,” she told the 24 honorees.

Silber is a three-year varsity letter winner in baseball, helping the team to the semi-finals of the Somerset County Tournament and the team’s first NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2 Group IV championship. His efforts earned him a spot on the All-Somerset County 1st Team, All-Conference 2nd Team and All-Area 3rd team.

A four-year honor student and a member of the National Honor Society, Silber has also been a member of the Science and Italian honor societies.

“It’s an honor to have been selected for this. It shows that people are noticing what you are doing,” he said. “High school helps prepare you for what will come in college.”

Carra is a four-year high school honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society. She is a two-year cross country varsity letter winner, earning All-Conference recognition in 2009 and 2010, as well as a three-year lacrosse varsity letter winner, helping her team earn 2009 Somerset County, Sectional and Group IV State Championships and 2010 conference and county championships.

Carra is also president of the Student Council, a yearbook editor, board member of the Council for Exceptional Children and active in Peer Mediation and Friends of Rachel.

Successfully combining academics and sports takes “time management and discipline,” she noted. “It has really helped me and will be time key to success when I go to college.”

Following the introductions of the honorees, DiGanci told the audience, “You have just witnessed 28 extraordinary individuals who are only 17. We are in good hands.”

Also recognized during the event were three Somerset County principals who are retiring at the end of the 2010-2011 school year: Edmund H. Jones of , Dr. James Riccobono of Bridgewater-Raritan High School and Timothy O’Halloran of Somerville High School.