FMFCU announces All ChesCo Academic Team

Downingtown, PA – On May 10 at an awards ceremony designed to rival any high school sports banquet, the

top competitors of the 2010-11 Chester County Academic Competition were honored for their intellectual prowess, good sportsmanship, and overall academic ability. The awards luncheon, sponsored by Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union (FMFCU), was started three years ago by the credit union to provide the academic competitors with the same level of recognition as high school athletes.

Franklin Mint presented $4,000 in scholarships to the top four finishing teams of the competition, including: a $2,000 scholarship to the county academic champions West Chester Henderson High School; a $1,000 scholarship to second place Unionville High School; and a $500 scholarship each to Conestoga and Downingtown East High Schools, which placed third and fourth respectively.

In addition to team recognition, individuals were also recognized for their contributions to the academic league. The members of the 2010-11 FMFCU All Chester County Academic Team were announced, and the Coach of the Year and the Competitor of the Year awards were presented.

Ben Herman from West Chester Henderson was named Competitor of the Year. Herman, a senior and team captain, was instrumental in the team’s county and state championship wins. The competitor of the year is selected on the basis of his or her performance under pressure, good sportsmanship and overall leadership abilities as demonstrated throughout the academic competition season.

Also announced were the members of the FMFCU All Chester County Academic Team. The All Chesco team recognizes the top competitor from each high school. This year’s team includes: Courtney Prince, Avon Grove Charter School; Zachary Peterson, Avon Grove High School; Zach Miller, Coatesville Area Senior High School; Marisa Ohnjec, Collegium Charter School; Cassidy Stevens, Conestoga High School; Adam Swift, Devon Preparatory School; Andrew Posner, Downingtown High School East; Sam Pennypacker, Downingtown High School West; Ray Li, Great Valley High School; Eric Allenstein-Lyon, Kennett High School; Tom Ball, Malvern Preparatory School; Hannah Gajari, Octorara High School; Brad Solomon, Owen J. Roberts High School; Andrew Raffa, Oxford Area High School; Duncan Keller, Unionville High School; Navin Vinduthala, West Chester East High School; Ben Herman, West Chester Henderson High School; and Chris Panetta, West Chester Bayard Rustin High School.

Last, but not least, Avon Grove Charter School’s Michael Mostello was named Coach of the Year in recognition for his leadership and his displayed commitment to excellence and fair play throughout the year.

Photo Caption 1: Pictured (left to right), is the 2010-11 All Chester County Team with representatives from Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union: Row 1 - Marc Ernest, representative for Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union; Ben Herman, West Chester Henderson High School; Ray Li, Great Valley High School; Marisa Ohnjec, Collegium Charter School; Andrew Raffa, Oxford Area High School; and Rick Durante, representative for Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union. Row 2 – Andrew Posner, Downingtown High School East; Adam Swift, Devon Preparatory School; Zachary Miller, Coatesville Area Senior High School; Chris Panetta, West Chester Bayard Rustin High School; and Zachary Peterson, Avon Grove High School. Row 3 – Tom Ball, Malvern Preparatory School; Navin Vinduthala, West Chester East High School; Sam Pennypacker, Downingtown High School West; and Duncan Keller, Unionville High School. Not pictured but also on the team is: Courtney Prince, Avon Grove Charter School; Cassidy Stevens, Conestoga High School; Eric Allenstein-Lyon, Kennett High School; Hannah Gajari, Octorara High School; and Brad Solomon, Owen J. Roberts High School.

Photo Caption 2: Pictured (from left to right) is: Marc Ernest, representative for Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union; Competitor of the Year Ben Herman of West Chester Henderson High School; and Rick Durante, representative for Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union.