Advisor of the Year

This award recognizes one outstanding Middle School Advisor and one outstanding High School Advisor who have distinguished themselves in their school as well as at the state and/or national levels. It also honors the dedication and service of ALL Student Council Advisors to their schools and the communities they serve.

The application form is posted on our website in the early Spring and typically due in early September. The State Officers review all submitted applications and select the award winning administrator at their September executive meeting. The award is presented at the Fall Conference in October.

Application Form

CLICK HERE to access the Online Application Form for the 2025-2026 Award

The required Letters of Recommendation can be attached directly to this Google Form. The deadline for submitting this form and all attached Letters of Recommendation is September 10, 2025.

Current Honoree

CATHERINE CRELIN, NEPTUNE HS
2024-2025 Advisor of the Year

Catherine Crelin has been a dedicated Student Council advisor at Neptune High School for the past two decades, making an impression on everyone she works with...

In the words of Student Council President Emily Laing, "Throughout my years in high school, I have witnessed various forms of leadership, but to encounter an educational professional like my advisor, who has the GIFT of commitment and ability to dedicate oneself so wholeheartedly to student activities and education – this is rare!"

In the words of Principal Thomas Decker, "Her leadership has been instrumental in teaching students the importance of civic responsibility, teamwork, and effective communication.  Our students not only leave high school as better leaders, but as more thoughtful and engaged citizens."

We congratulate Catherine Crelin and the Neptune High School community on her statewide honor as our 2024-2025 Advisor of the Year, while recognizing the hard work and dedication of ALL advisors throughout the Garden State!

Past Honorees

A list of past state Advisors of the Year is provided below, since this award was first presented in 1990. Several of our State Advisors of the Year have also been recognized by the National Student Council with the Region 2 (DE, MD, NJ, NY, PA) or National Warren E. Shull Adviser of the Year Award.

  • 2024-2025 - Catherine Crelin, Neptune HS
  • 2023-2024 - Katie Radbill, Cherry Hill HS East
  • 2022-2023 (HS) - Noreen Deutsch, Hillside HS
  • 2020-2021 (HS) - Apryl Palazzo, Kingsway Regional HS
  • 2020-2021 (ML) - Vincent DeJesus, Liberty MS
  • 2019-2020 (HS) - Rob Freedman, Franklin HS
  • 2019-2020 (ML) - Linda Gengaro, Stewartsville MS (Region 2 Shull Award 2020)
  • 2018-2019 (HS) - Melissa VanWingerden, Parsippany HS
  • 2018-2019 (ML) - Brenda Douglas, Lakewood MS (Region 2 Shull Award 2019)
  • 2017-2018 - Joe Fasanella, Holy Cross Academy
  • 2016-2017 - Nicole Silvis, Warren Hills Regional MS
  • 2015-2016 - Pamela Scott, Community MS
  • 2014-2015 - Brandy Moncada, West Windsor-Plainsboro HS South
  • 2013-2014 - Christine Nelson, Mount Olive HS
  • 2012-2013 - Jim Nolan, Holy Cross HS
  • 2011-2012 - Matt Purdue, Ocean City HS
  • 2010-2011 - Bonnie Boyer, Stewartsville MS
  • 2009-2010 - Lauren VanHook, South Brunswick HS
  • 2008-2009 - Lauren Tunnat, Kingsway Regional HS
  • 2007-2008 - Marily Trotta, Cherokee HS
  • 2006-2007 - Deborah Wieczezak, Kawameeh MS
  • 2005-2006 - Barbara Meyrick, Buena Regional HS
  • 2004-2005 - Lou Miller, Brooklawn MS (National Warren E. Shull Award 2010)
  • 2003-2004 - Wendy Booth Sitzler, Palmyra HS (Region 2 Shull Award 2011)
  • 2002-2003 - Kenney Lutz, Lopatcong MS
  • 2001-2002 - Marion Witterschein, Riverside HS
  • 2000-2001 - Ann Schmidt, Oakcrest HS
  • 1999-2000 - Larry Heindrich, North Hunterdon HS
  • 1998-1999 - Andy Antista, Hawthorne HS
  • 1997-1998 - Barbara Loftus, Marlboro HS
  • 1996-1997 - Barbara Caruso, Medford Memorial MS (Region 2 Shull Award 1997)
  • 1995-1996 - Christine Arszulowicz, Bayonne HS
  • 1994-1995 - Pam Freund, Mount Olive HS (Region 2 Shull Award 1995)
  • 1993-1994 - John Lontos, Newton HS
  • 1992-1993 - Al Matthews, Ocean City HS
  • 1991-1992 - Pamela Barr, Sussex County Vocational-Technical School
  • 1990-1991 - Bill Nixon, Phillipsburg HS
  • 1989-1990 - Richard Dolce, High Point Regional HS