Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child senior and Chatham resident Sarah McManus ’22 has been named Oak Knoll School Scholar-Athlete of the Year. McManus will be recognized during Oak Knoll’s Senior Athlete Awards Dinner on June 6. 

McManus, who will be attending the University of Notre Dame in the fall, is a member of Oak Knoll School’s Cum Laude chapter. Last month, she was also inducted into the National Junior Classical League Latin Honor Society and will graduate from Oak Knoll School in June as an AP Scholar with Honor. 

At Oak Knoll, McManus served as a three-sport captain this year for cross country, winter track, and spring track and field. She also served as the Peer Leader Coordinator and the coordinator of the Writing Center. McManus is a classically trained pianist, and the co-editor-in-chief of the school’s literary magazine, Freestyle. She is a producer for TEDx and a Eucharistic Minister as well as volunteers at her parish Corpus Christi in Chatham.

This spring, Sarah earned the Leadership Award for guiding Freestyle with vision and purpose and received the Silver Key photographer award for her “Sunflowers” photo in the 2022 Regional Scholastic High School Art and Writing Competition. 

“It has been amazing watching Sarah develop into the student-athlete and leader she is today,” said Dr. Kelly Childs, Oak Knoll School Athletic Director. “She continues to work hard in all areas of her life and encourages those around her to do the same. Sarah is tirelessly aiming to improve both herself and her community, and Oak Knoll has benefited from her dedication to the pursuit of greatness and willingness to take on a leadership role whenever and wherever she is needed.” 

McManus has been a four-year varsity runner all three seasons at Oak Knoll. Most recently, she qualified and competed at the Penn Relays in the 4x400m relay and the 4x800m relay. She was an instrumental runner on the winter track team, helping the team place third in the State Relays, fourth place in the Union County Meet, fourth overall in the New Jersey Catholic Track meet, and third place in the NJSIAA Non-Public A Group Championships. She was also a member of the Meet of Champions 4x400m team that placed 16th. 

McManus is currently finishing out a strong spring track and field season, helping to lead the team recently to co-champions of the Union County Conference Mountain Division.

“I am truly grateful to receive the Scholar-Athlete Award recognizing various dimensions of my involvement at OKS,” said McManus. “This award reflects the Holy Child mission and commitment to honoring individuals’ unique gifts and talents by ‘educating the whole child.’ OKS has allowed me the opportunity and flexibility to pursue both academic and athletic interests, hone existing passions, and discern new ones. In doing so, I have gained valuable and transferable skills which I will continue to employ upon my graduation. I seek to perform at my best through goal setting, prioritization and focus while understanding when to push myself and recognizing when to take a step back. The guidance and support of my parents, teachers, coaches, and peers have been invaluable in my journey, both academically and athletically. They have encouraged me to explore, take reasonable risks, strive for excellence, and embrace the unexpected by cultivating my curiosity and never making me feel that my involvement in a particular activity characterizes my person. I thank OKS for continuing to sustain this vibrant community where scholars and athletes alike not only grow but thrive.”