Lacey Township honors state champions, academic winners and seven teachers of the year

At its April meeting the Lacey Township Board of Education recognized student achievements across athletics, academics and special programs and named the district’s teachers of the year for 2026.

The board adopted resolutions honoring Deemos Sarnis for a state Special Olympics gold medal and Killian Kuchio for winning the 2026 New Jersey high‑school wrestling state championship; both students were presented with certificates and the board praised their perseverance and community representation.

Administrators also celebrated extracurricular successes and awards: the all‑girls Sea Perch Underwater Robotics team placed second at the 2026 New Jersey competition and qualified for the international event in College Park, Maryland; students earned prizes at the Delaware Valley Science Fair and the New Jersey Math League (the district’s sixth‑grade team placed first in a four‑county region).

The board announced seven teachers of the year representing district schools, including Matthew Bar (high school), Siobhan Barker (middle school), Jennifer Uert (Cedar Creek), Katie King (Fork River, special education), Mrs. Rataco (Lenoka), Sarah Silva (Mil Pond) and Jessica Schaefer (shared across elementary schools). Speakers highlighted each recipient’s instructional leadership, student‑centered practice and community contributions.

The board and audience gave rounds of applause as families and colleagues joined honorees onstage; the session underscored the district’s emphasis on student opportunity and teacher leadership.