Hannah Mindler is the perfect role model for MHS students. She values personal connections, family, and friendships above all else, displaying a kind and positive attitude that’s infectious to everyone around her. She has made an incredibly positive impact on countless students and teachers at MHS. Hannah also has immense talents, maintaining strong academics, incredible athletic achievements, and various other extracurriculars.
“Hannah is such a positive light at MHS, brightening each room she walks into and making everyone around her smile! She goes above and beyond in everything that she does, and she’s someone that you can truly rely on. Overall, Hannah’s genuinely an amazing friend and a stand-up person!” - Kaitlyn Hsueh
One of Hannah’s major impacts on MHS has been her involvement with the softball program. Not only has Hannah been playing softball for all of high school, but she has been involved with the overall Metuchen softball programs for a total of 13 years. While Hannah clearly has a love for the sport itself, she believes that the personal connections she’s made are the most important part. She has formed so many meaningful relationships with both her teammates, as she has been able to play alongside her best friends, and her coaches, who have helped guide her throughout the years of softball. Another special part about this sport for Hannah is the connection she’s formed with her father, describing him as her biggest support system. Hannah’s favorite memory from playing softball at MHS is when they beat St. Thomas Aquinas during her junior year. This was important to her because Metuchen hadn’t beaten St. Thomas in ten years, so being able to be a part of this victory was particularly special. Hannah plays club softball as well, describing it as different from high school as most people simply represent themselves, compared to Metuchen, where she’s playing for a larger cause. Regarding MHS softball, this upcoming season will be especially special for Hannah, as she’ll be a co-captain along with two of her best friends, Eva Szap and Ava Barasch. Seeing as this is Hannah’s senior year, she has already made loose plans for playing softball after high school: she hopes to get into some sort of club softball in college and would also like to get into coaching sometime after college.
“I have been friends with Hannah for many years, and I can effortlessly say that she is an incredible person to know! Hannah’s outgoing and kind personality shines through to everyone around her. Her role at Metuchen High School greatly surpasses being a student. She goes above and beyond with her involvement in the school community, whether before school with student council or after school with athletics, among many other activities. Her dedication to those around her is evident through her endless support as a friend, teammate, and peer. Hannah is driven and hardworking, not only for herself but for others as well— something that I truly admire! She is someone that you can always count on to be there for you in any way needed. I am so grateful to have a person like Hannah by my side, and I am confident that so many other people in her life now and in the future will be able to say the same and so much more!” - Eva Szap
Hannah’s athletic contributions to MHS don’t end with softball; she is also an integral part of the MHS Field Hockey team. She has had a lengthy career in field hockey, playing for a total of eleven years, including four years at the high school. Once again, while Hannah certainly enjoys the sport, it’s her friendships that make it so important to her. She originally signed up because her friends were, and they continued to make the sport lots of fun for her throughout the years. Her favorite field hockey memory was when they beat South Plainfield, a team they hadn’t beaten in a very long time, making it both an important game and a special memory. Hannah also helped plan Powderpuff, the annual flag football game between the seniors and juniors on the day before Thanksgiving break. The football players coach the senior and junior girls, and it’s a competitive atmosphere where the players and coaches get very into it. At the end of the day, it’s just a lot of fun for everyone involved.
“Hannah is such an accomplished, hardworking student: she takes multiple AP & Honors courses, while simultaneously playing school sports and travel softball, juggling extracurriculars, and somehow even manages to squeeze in an after-school job these days - "senioritis" is not in her vocabulary. And yet, what impresses me most is that Hannah is such a NICE kid. I'm sure there are days when she's exhausted, and maybe not exactly in the mood to learn about some esoteric Calculus theorem (even though I don't know how that's possible), but she is always friendly and personable. I wish her all the best for the future!” - Mr. Murray
Aside from athletics, Hannah is also very involved in other extracurriculars within MHS and has taken leadership roles within multiple of them. She was chosen as one of the two students from her grade to be a part of the Student Advisory Board. This is a program where students from grades three to twelve meet once a month and sit down with Dr. Caputo to discuss their opinions, suggestions, and ideas about how the school is functioning. This is a vital program, as Hannah believes it's essential that student voices are both heard and listened to, both of which happen at these meetings. The Student Advisory Board allows Hannah and her peers to relay information that they believe is important for administrators to know. Hannah has also taken a leadership position within Student Council, a program that she’s been a part of throughout high school. This year, she has taken further initiative and become Secretary of the Senior Class. Hannah explained how many don’t realize the full range of what Student Council is responsible for, from planning dances and events to raising money. She particularly likes this program, as it's both the best and easiest way to share your ideas and opinions, and it’s a low-stress, fun environment where students can be productive and get things done and also enjoy the process. Hannah is also an important part of two other clubs, one of which is the Yearbook Club. Yearbook Club is headed by Mr. Levy and is a space where she gets to let her more creative side shine through. The other is Unified Club, run by Ms. Dybas and Ms. Abbott, which Hannah said is her favorite out of the clubs she’s a part of. She loves working with the students and has made many meaningful connections and friendships there.
"Hannah is determined, flexible, and kind, always advocating for her peers and class. She is not afraid to take initiative when needed, and has a willingness to consistently support a cause or effort. I have seen this firsthand in Student Council, where throughout the years, she has been a hard-working, invaluable advocate. It is an absolute pleasure knowing and working with her." - Rowan Brown
Although Hannah’s time at MHS is coming to a close, there are countless positive memories for her to look back on. Hannah reflected on one memory in particular with pure joy, which was the senior year White-Out Football Game, where she supported the football players and cheered them on with her friends. They made Fatheads and went crazy, along with the other masses of students who showed up to this special event. Hannah has made many strong connections at the high school with teachers and students alike. One important one for her is Mrs. Baird, who she had both her freshman and junior years and still maintains a strong relationship with. Mrs. Baird still checks in on her and is an incredible support for Hannah, especially as she’s going through the college application process. Ms. Dybas is also a special teacher for Hannah, as she’s doing an independent study with her and is a teacher that Hannah can learn from and simply talk to. She’s a major support for her both inside and outside of school.
“Hannah is one of the kindest and genuine people I know. Her kindness is exemplified everyday day here at MHS. It has been my greatest pleasure to be her teacher and coach.” - Ms. Abbott
Of all the activities, events, and organizations that Hannah’s a part of, she’s still the most passionate about her friendships. She describes spending time with her friends as her “favorite thing in the world”, valuing human connections above all else. Hannah’s biggest role model is her dad, someone she’s had all her life and has shaped her into the person she is today. He constantly encourages her to try her best, and that if she does that, then it's enough. As she looks towards the future, Hannah plans to attend college and aims to major in psychology. From there, she hopes to work in the Special Education Department or become a Board Certified Behavioral Analyst (BCBA). Hannah’s main piece of advice for those entering high school is to take in every single moment, as it has gone by incredibly fast. She believes in not taking anything for granted and taking every opportunity that you can. While Hannah is extremely talented in various aspects related to MHS athletics, academics, and extracurriculars, her character shines through the most. She’s kind and compassionate, and she cares about her connections to those around her. Hannah Mindler perfectly embodies what it means to be both a leader and a friend.
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