Article by Guest Contributor BarbaraAnn V. Noon
One of the many most memorable moments on the evening of Allentown High School’s graduation was when Lt. Col. Stephen J. Alexander, Ret. stood at the podium to hand out the military service awards and paused during his speech in awe for just a moment, shook his head because he just couldn’t believe that right behind him, were two very high ranking students with the most incredible grade point averages.
A few days after Allentown’s Graduation, I had a very special opportunity to catch up with The Valedictorian and The Salutatorian from the Class of 2017!
Ricky Mottram and Paige Zytkowicz
It was pure luck on my part because do you know how busy one’s life can be when you are the best at everything? Well, let me tell you. I had to put my interview on hold with Bruce Springsteen (not!) to be able to get these two special students together to conduct my (first) interview.
Paige and Ricky have been dating since the 8th grade. They have been dating exclusively while succeeding at playing sports, studying for extensive hours late at night and guess what? They never had a fight!
What’s their secret?
Well, let me share with you my very special interview with Ricky Mottram and Paige Zytkowicz — both graduating students from Allentown High School, NJ.
Let me first begin to say that as I began my interview, Ricky was a gentleman right from the start. Thank you, Mr. & Mrs. Mottram!
You can tell that his parents really raised him the right way. As I am speaking, I am noticing that he is allowing Paige to speak first. He doesn’t mind waiting.
Ricky and Paige both met during their 8th grade school year while attending Millstone and Stone Bridge Middle Schools. Ricky just happened to be playing for the Millstone Recreation basketball team and met Paige at his teammates Bar Mitzvah.
They were only 13 years old. Paige moved to Millstone during her 6th grade school year and Ricky has been living in Allentown his entire life.
I asked the both of them what they thought was the one thing that had made them become successful at a young age.
They both had felt that their parent’s support really made an impact during their school years.
Paige and Ricky – Valedictorian and Salutatorian AHS Class of 2017
Paige added that she didn’t feel the “pressure or stress” from both of her parents to do well and that her parents saw the best in her always. She felt that her mom instilled in her to be determined, humble, and to always have fun at the same time. Her dad also encouraged her to do well and to never give up. Paige really appreciated both of her parents being there for her during her school years.
As for Ricky, his parents also encouraged him to do very well but he never felt stressed out or even pressured during his school years.
There was one time that Ricky remembers when he came home with a 98% on his spelling test and his dad wanted to know which word was “incorrect.”
I was thinking to myself, did he have to write that word repeatedly for practice? Ricky also feels that both of his parents were always there for him during his school years and he really appreciated their support. I should have asked him what that word was…
As for sports, Ricky really wanted to join the football team but his parents were reluctant. During that time, Ricky’s uncle was the President of Pop Warner. Ricky finally received permission from his parents to join football when he was in the 4th grade. This turned out to be one of the best decisions that Ricky ever made (beside dating Paige, of course) because he loved playing football and earned so many awards and scholarships from Allentown High School.
So, buckle up….here we go……
Ricky was the Team Captain and 2x MVP of the Allentown Football Team, First Team All-State Linebacker, 2x Trenton Times Defensive Player of The Year, Co-Captain of Relay for Life Team held in New Egypt this year, Male Scholar-Athlete, Awarded The Delaware Valley National Football Foundation Scholar-Leader-Athlete Award for $5,000, Ranked 30th Best Athlete in the State by NJ.com.
Wait, hold on, there’s more!
Ricky’s academic achievements begin as a member of The National Honor Society, Math Honor Society, History Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Student Council Representative, Valedictorian and graduating with a grade point average of 4.549 …just incredible!
During Ricky’s memorable speech on graduation night, he was disappointed that his GPA wasn’t following him to Bucknell. That’s ok, Ricky, we all know you will be picking up right where you left off at Allentown — shinning up there with the stars! Ricky has been accepted to Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA., where he will play football and study engineering.
As for Miss Paige, well, Paige is no slouch, either. Beside having the most adorable personality, Paige has lettered in field hockey for four years, senior captain, too, while achieving a GPA of 4.525, Central Jersey Group 3 Coaches Association 1st team selection Junior and Senior year, held officer positions in Student Council/4 years (V.P. of Class-9th & 10th grade, Executive Board Treasurer-11th grade, Board of Education Representative 12th Grade), Science Honor Society President, History Honor Society Treasurer, Member of National Honor Society, Member of Math Honor Society, Member of Science League. Paige has been accepted to Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA., where she will play field hockey & study business.
I remember when Paige and I lived on the same street in Millstone years ago. I would see her walking alone sometimes during the day and I always wondered what she was thinking about. Maybe at the time, she was thinking about joining a sport like field hockey, falling in love with a really nice guy, or maybe she was thinking about her high school graduation night. “Will I be sitting in the front row?” If she did, well, then, we need Paige to play our numbers in the next lottery!
Two very special students, finding one another, studying many long hours together and now attending two separate universities.
I think we all would like an update on their status so stay tuned for the next interview with Allentown’s 2017 Prom King & Queen.
Yes, they were also voted Prom King and Queen by their peers.
And, you probably thought I was finished with their achievements.
Congratulations to Paige, Ricky and The Class of 2017.
Best of luck, happiness and health as you continue to fulfill your lifelong dreams!
Interviewed and Written By,
BarbaraAnn V. Noon
Millstone Township Resident
