Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 69

FRIDAY, DEC. 19, 2008 ASBURY PARK PRESS ALLIED HEALTH www.app.com page F3 "When I was applying and music. So I took to Allied, I really didn't know a chance. I applied, and I was what I wanted to do with my Efe. I knew I liked science, but I accepted.

I do not regret coining here for even one second." Joe Rapolla also loved English 17, a senior from Oceanport science pofeci harnnny i. Lx fcjA infill sr rar-r JWKJ: who shared his interests. Yet, he was surprised to find that there were students singing and playing guitar in almost every corner of the school. Joe says he has a strong interest in psychology, and would like to make it his major in college. He would like to minor in music.

He plans to continue recording and performing throughout college, and may possibly pursue a career in music, he says. Joe performs as a solo artist under the name as in Peter" and his music will soon be available to the public. His Web site is www.myspace.com Pasinpetermusic. Priya Dalai, 15, of Marlboro is a sophomore. '-z 1 Joe Rapolla 17, a senior from Oceanport, perform a song.

(PHOTO: HANNAH RYAN, 17, SENIOR) imk, By PRIYA DALAI. If you hear the sound of music in the halls, Joe Rapolla Jr. might be nearby. 17-year-old resident of Oceanport is referred to by some as the musical genius of the senior class. Joe has been playing the piano for 13 years and the guitar for five years.

He has also written 40 of his own songs and is in the process of recording them. He performs his music at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, as well as several other venues. Joe also is the editor of the school newspaper and swims competitively. "When I was applying to Allied," Joe says, "I really didn't know what I wanted to do with Teacher's By EVAN GLASSBERG A good teacher should truly be passionate about the subject matter that he or she teaches and Kelly Reilly of Brick really exemplifies this trait. She teaches Chemistry I to sophomores and Biology I to freshmen, but her students would definitely say that she is crazy about chemistry.

In fact, she loves it so much that she received a master's degree in the subject from the University of Pennsylvania in 2005. But her love for teaching goes way back. "I knew I wanted to be a teacher since I was about 9 years old," Reilly says. "I had a blackboard at home, and when we would play with it, I was the for subject shines through MUTr (a p-n wm" at work during a class. vV1.

I J. Lwl It's an emergency! Course shows what comes next my life. I knew I liked science, but I also loved English and music. So I took a chance. I applied, and I was accepted.

I do not regret coming here for even one second." Joe's classmate, senior Caitlin Koury, 17, of Middletown says, "Joe shows a great deal of charisma during his performances. His lyrics are both deep and unique." Charles Oberlin, 32, of Eaton-town, his English teacher, believes Joe has "a natural ability that few people ever possess. He has been around music for so long that it is in his bones. He's got a ton of potential. I hope he keeps pursuing his dream." Joe's main concern with Allied, he says, was that there wouldn't be any other students passion teacher and my friends were the students always." The only thing for Reilly to decide next was what to teach but it wasn't until high school or college that she fell in love with science, she says.

The reason she chose to teach at high school level, she says, is because she loves the dynamic of the young people in that age category. According to Reilly, high school students are hardworking and they ask questions and challenge the teacher. "What I really love is how biology and chemistry interconnect," Reilly says with a smile. "I love showing relations between the science and health fields even showing the science of the body in a test tube." While she has taught in a few schools in the area, she really likes the atmosphere of Allied. the class times and scheduling emergency room hours.

This course is offered as an elective for the school's seniors (physical therapy being their other choice). The class is provided by Al-lied's affiliate, the JSUMC, complete with five national and state certified EMT instructors with plenty of first-hand experience to share with the students. These instructors include: Eli-ana Siciliano, 56, of Neptune; Rosemarie Christiano, 66, of Brick; Jeanne Jacobus, 49, of Brielle; Doug Haviland, 48, of Red Bank; and Tim Shaak, 44, of Brielle. After completing this course, students will have covered all medical and traumatic emergencies, learned how to identify and use all of the parts of ambulances, practiced splinting and bandaging, and acquired all the basics needed to become a certified EMT. Jacobus says, "In this class, the students learn lifelong skills to know what to do in an emergency.

That information is invaluable. The focus is to do no further harm and to transport the patient quickly and safely." has plenty to witness. James is a newly inducted member of the National Honor Society and is one of three juniors who work as senior editors for Allied's yearbook. James is an accomplished speller as well, and is mentioned in the book "American Bee" by James Maguire. When asked why he chose to attend Allied, James says, "I wanted to enter an environment where my interests could be nurtured, and I felt that Allied could provide that.

It's not a run-of-the-mill school," he adds with a smile. After high school, James plans to go into pediatric medicine, specifically sports medicine. He hopes to be accepted into the medical program at Monmouth University. When asked how he measures success, James says, "If I save at least one life in mv Chemistry teacher Ketty ReMy (STAFF PHOTO: TANYA BREEN) A i mi OK "This is a nurturing school," she says. "We respect each other's eccentricities." Reilly says she also likes the fact that many students here are volunteers and activists, because becoming a doctor is not just about the science, but also about the bedside manner.

She thinks that the 80-minute block periods are beneficial because there is more time to spend with her students to do lab work. Reilly says, detailing her dream, "It would be uplifting to see my students as famous scientists, to see that I have touched their lives and they have gone to the next step." Evan Glassberg, 16, of Freehold is a junior. According to Lindsey Warren-burg, 18, of Little Silver, this class fits in well with the curriculum at Allied because it "really helps put everything we've learned from freshman year to junior year into cohesive practical skills that are applicable in everyday life." Shelby McLaughlin, 17, of Middletown agrees. "It gives us good real-life experience," Shelby says. "It's a pretty intense course with a lot of information, but some of it is just common sense." Students and instructors alike seem to enjoy the course.

According to Haviland, "The kids are really enthusiastic. We always look forward to teaching here." Jacobus adds, "The students here come from very diverse backgrounds. They're extremely bright, they know how to apply their knowledge to skills and they really comprehend things quickly. I love teaching here." Charlotte Lee, 15, of Ocean Township is a sophomore; Morgan Neill, 14, ofManasquan is a freshman. think about career, it will all be worth it." Linda Sutton of Atlantic Highlands, a teacher for 24 years, says James is "a dedicated and motivated math student.

He is never content with accepting just facts, but always seeks to see how they are derived." Carly White, 16, of Oceanport, also a junior, believes that James has the potential to make a difference in the world. "He is just an all-around good person. James is always there to help anyone who needs it," Carly says. "Whenever you're having a bad day, he can put a smile on your face. He is very intellectual, but definitely well-rounded.

James is a great friend to have, and the epitome of what an Allied student is." Meghan Conroy, 16, of West Long Branch is a iunior. By CHARLOTTE LEE and MORGAN NEILL On walking into Room 108 of the Academy of Allied Health Science, we are followed by a rolling ambulance gurney complete with a backboard and neck brace. Students' voices ring in our ears, many asking, "Can I be the patient?" After hearing that, it becomes apparent that this is no average high school course. At the Monmouth County Vocation School District's expense of $500 per student, this Emergency Medical Technician certification class is not offered at many high schools. It consists of 110 hours of instruction over a period of 13 weeks, 10 hours of out-of-school emergency room time, and written and practical exams all as prescribed by the state EMT certification requirements.

Teacher Maureen Baldaccini, 53, of Toms River serves as liaison between Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune and Allied in coordinating Busy student By MEGHAN CONROY a recent morning, junior James Perucho sits in his U.S. History II class. But James, 17, of Neptune City, in addition to focusing on the second term of former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, has many other things on his mind. He volunteers on the Institutional Review Board at Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune during his summers and sings at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Asbury Park on Sundays. After school, he captains the varsity tennis team at Neptune High School.

During lunch, he spends his time at Mock Trial meetings, something he has enjoyed since his freshman year. these meptines. he serves as an expert Arpan Garg, 17, a senior from Tinton Falls, acts as a patient as members of Brielle First Aid Squad teach an EMT class. (STAFF PHOTO: TANYA BREEN) 1 T. Jo-' James Perucho, 17 of Neptune City listens during a U.S.

History II ClaSS. (PHOTO: HANNAH RYAN, 17, A SENIOR).