Highland Administrator Named New Jersey's Assistant Principal of the Year

Highland Regional High School Assistant Principal Tom Storer traveled to Washington D.C. earlier this week to receive the 2011 New Jersey Assistant Principal of the Year award. The award is given annually by the National Association of Secondary School Principals to school administrators who have improved school and student performance through their hard work and dedication.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) was on hand to meet and congratulate Storer, who has worked in Gloucester Township for more than 19 years.

“This award is a fantastic way to highlight the critical work done by our principals—work that too often goes unsung. Assistant Principal Storer is very deserving of this recognition for his commitment and connection to young New Jerseyans,” Menendez said.

Storer, the current assistant principal for the junior class, was instrumental in establishing a freshmen transition program for new ninth-graders entering Highland after middle school.

“Tom was the driving force behind revamping our freshman orientation program. Now, we offer a year-long program that provides freshmen with monthly events, goal-setting activities and concrete planning for life after high school,” said Frank Palatucci, Highland principal.

The current junior class at Highland is the first class to go through the new freshmen transition program. According to Palatucci, this class is the highest performing at Highland.

“It is a credit to Tom and his dedication to our student body,” said Palatucci.

Storer was in Washington late this week to receive the honor, and could not be reached by Patch for comment.