PARSIPPANY — On Saturday, September 29, Parsippany Hills High School Senior Alison Christian received the “Packin Family Student Athlete Scholarship.”
“I would like to thank the Hall of Fame committee for establishing the pack and family, student athletes, scholarship and especially Sue Bonnette who worked so hard and putting this together. I’m pleased to be able to present our family scholarship to this year’s recipient. My father, as the first principle of PHHS, was so very proud of this high school after my mother and our family PHHS and its students were truly the love of his life. He spent many hours here because he loved working with the staff and always felt that he had the best educators for his students. He was a high profile principal, spending time here, not only in support of the athletic, music and theater programs, but any event that was going on at the school,” said Marc Packin.
He continued “The reason I know he would be honored to have a student athlete scholarship in his name is that he was indeed an outstanding student and athlete. My father was his senior class president at Irvington high school. At 175 pounds he was chosen by the Newark Star Ledger as a first team all state football.”
“My dad received an athletic scholarship to Rutgers College where he graduated with a double major in Physical Education and history. He later continued on earning a master’s degree in Education. He started his life long career in education at Wayne High School, rising to the position of Vice Principal by the age of 26, was then offered the job of becoming the principal at Central Middle School. Three years later, becoming the principal Parsippany High School. The town of Parsippany was growing at a very rapid rate at that time, so if it became clear a second high school was needed. My father was asked to work closely with the architects and planners of the new school. He was hired to be the first principal serving in that position for 19 years. By the way, I understand Parsippany Hills High School will be celebrating their 50-year anniversary next year,” said Mr. Packin.
So we’re here today to honor one student that exemplifies the qualities of my father. On behalf of my family, I am very proud to present the 2018 Packin Family Student Athlete Scholarship of $1,000 to Alison Christian.