Congratulations to our 2015 scholarship recipients

Sarah Landis

If you ask Sarah, why she does community service, she will tell you, helping others, giving back to the community is a way to make others feel good as well as yourself. Her favorite charity, the one closest to her heart is the Clayton High School Food Pantry.

The School Pantry Program offers families living in Clayton with school-aged children the opportunity to receive monthly food distributions the first Tuesday of each month once they are registered. Sarah is responsible for setting up the food as well as leading others to do the same. The Clayton School pantry program is a part of the Food Bank of South Jersey organization.

Sarah works hard both in school and out. She participates in numerous walks for charity such as Live Strong, Diabetes, and Buddy to name a few.

If Sarah had to choose her second favorite community service project, it would definitely be the S.U.R.E. Mentor program. This program helps students of Elementary, Middle and High transition between the schools through interactive meetings and programs.

Kevin Milligan

It can be said there are different roads leading to the same place. Kevin Milligan first got involved in giving back to the community handing out water to the runners/walkers in the Live Strong programs coordinated by his mother. As he got older, Kevin continued to participate in Live Strong walks and drives.

Kevin and his friends like to have fun in giving back to the community. Kevin says it was his family and friends that spurred him on in giving back to others.

As a conscientious member of the Boy Scouts for nine years, he has learned much and helped many through the various Scout projects and programs. Through the Boy Scouts, Kevin has helped others at the community, state and national level.

Kevin is also a proud member of the Clayton high School’s JROTC program. This program motivates students to be better citizens, and encourages leadership. Kevin, as a veteran JROTC member has conducted himself to bring credit to his family, country, Clayton High School and his Corps of Cadets.

Morgan Epley

Morgan has multiple community service activities on her resume. However if asked which is her favorite, the answer invariably will be GlamourGirls hands down. In 2013, Morgan organized a local chapter of GlamourGals at Delsea Regional High School. GlamourGals is a not for profit organization whose mission is to inspire teens to provide ongoing companionship and complimentary beauty makeovers for individuals living in senior homes. Morgan has been the chapter president since its inception.

Morgan organizes monthly visits to Cardinal Village Senior Living Community in Sewell, NJ. She enjoys seeing the smiles on the faces of the residents when they come in. Morgan believes the students get as much from the experience as the people they are helping. She believes the little things they do can have a huge impact on their world!

Phillip Quinn

Phillip is an active member of the Saint Michael’s Parish youth group. He does a variety of community service through his church all year long. He has participated in road cleanups, food pantry assistance, bake sales, as well as help set up for special events such as the annual Easter egg hunt. He also helped to create 24,000 meals for children in Africa at Youth Congress.

Phillip is also an active member of the Key Club at Delsea High School. As part of Key Club, he participates in the annual Thanksgiving dinner for area seniors. Phillip rides on the bus with the seniors and also wraps up food for them to take home. He greatly enjoys being part of the group of students who help out on the Thanksgiving holiday.

Gina Torres

Gina Torres loves kids. After graduation, she will attend college to become a teacher. While it is true her volunteer service is numerous, two service programs grab her heart. The first is Adorable Doors, where Gina helped to decorate classroom doors and give out treats to disabled children who are trick or treating from door to door in the school.

Gina is also a strong advocate and supporter for PAWS, which is the umbrella agency known as the Philadelphia Welfare Society. Gina works on projects such as Deck The Paws and Mutt The Strut. These programs, through animal education, encourage adoption of shelter animals thereby minimizing animal euthanasia. Gina also participates in drives for blankets, food and other needed items for the animal shelters.

Gina was first introduced to PAWS through her participation in her school’s book club where she has been a member for all four years of high school. Gina is also a member of the National Honor Society and Future Educators of America.

Kyle Bright

For Kyle, cancer hit close to home as he lost his very young friend Bradley in 3rd grade. Kyle’s service is tied to the memory of his friend Bradley, the local charity known as Bradley’s Buddies. Bradley’s Buddies is a nonprofit organization that assists families of children who have cancer by raising money through charitable activities.

As an avid tennis player, Kyle also volunteers six hours per week as a Quickstart Tennis Instructor at Moorestown Tennis Club. He assists young children with learning the fundamentals of tennis. Kyle also volunteers as an umpire for the Wenonah Little League. He is in his third year as a member of the National Honor Society. Kyle is also in his fourth year of participating in mock trial.

Gabrielle Bing

Gabrielle Bing not only gives from her heart as one of the Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service recipients, but she has also received the 2014 NAACP Game Changers award for Gloucester County. Through her service to the community, Gabrielle has helped to change the lives of many for the better.

She started “The Little Things” foundation, which helps members of the community to receive essential needs. Gabrielle is an avid speaker for the nonprofit “Success 1st,” a group that helps youth to make sound decisions. She also bakes regularly for the Saint Joseph’s shelter in Camden and interns with an organization entitled “Educating Communities for Parenting.” Gabrielle is a true winner in more ways than one!

Vincent Ferretti

Another shining star helping our community is Vincent Ferretti. Throughout his four years of high school, one common theme has been present, that is helping others. As a dedicated member of TOPSports, Vincent has helped children with special needs learn and play sports, rain or shine for several hours every week for the past four years. During his summers, two hours of every week was spent organizing and running children’s activities at SSL Campers Resort. He also helps with yard work for an elderly neighbor and volunteers to help clean up the local community.

In addition to school demands in his senior year, Vincent coaches a wrestling clinic for tots and also acts as a referee for local wrestling tournaments. Both Gabrielle and Vincent, by their examples are paving the way for future generations to see what it means to give the gift of the heart through community service.

Haley Wellington

Service to others benefits the person providing the service, the person receiving the service as well as the overall community. Haley’s strong commitment to others brings enjoyment to those around her. She has participated in her school musical all four years of high school, entertaining local theatergoers in the Paulsboro area. She has supported her schools team as a Varsity cheerleader for all four years as well.

Haley has served as the National Junior Honor Society Vice president and the National Honor Society President where both organizations provide good works through service oriented projects.

Haley mentors others through the well- established Paulsboro High School’s Big Brother /Big Sister program. As if these projects alone were not enough, Haley finds the time to serve the Brotherhood Committee and her high school Key Club.

Great work Haley!

Brian Zane

Brian was also a member of the National Junior Honor Society and is a member this year of the National Honor Society, where as an active participant, he has helped others and maintained stellar grades. He serves as the Senior Class Treasurer as well. Brian is a committed “team” athlete. He has played football at the Varsity level for 4 straight years. He also has played varsity baseball for all 4 years too. Because Brian is a well- rounded athlete, he is able to participate with ABLE, which stands for Athletes Being Leaders Everywhere.

Brian serves SADD, a group that works with and educates students against making poor choices or bad decisions. Additionally, he spends his time as a big brother involved in the Paulsboro High School’ Big Brother/Big Sister Program. The town of Bridgeport is most fortunate, where he is a volunteer Firefighter, risking his life to save others. Thank you for your stellar service, Brian!

Mahaa Ahmed

Mahaa has gained the respect of her peers and teachers alike at Washington Township High School. This is due to her commitment to serve, hard work and friendliness. Yet, what really sets Mahaa apart is her willingness to dedicate herself to helping others, both inside and outside the school setting.

A participant of the prestigious Governor’s School of Engineering and Technology, Mahaa has utilized her skills working with girls entering the 6th, 7th and 8th grade to teach them the importance of math and science, especially when considering an engineering career. She has shared her love and talent of the violin through teaching privately and performing the violin as a Chamber Ensemble Member and as a Symphony Orchestra Member.

Mahaa is also co-president of the Rotary Interact club, participating in Washington Township High School Football Concessions Sales and the Mums sale. She has served on the executive board and has been an active chair for numerous charity events, including the Buddy Walk for Down’s Syndrome, the Canned Food Collection, Fall Blood Drive Volunteer, Monzo Manzo Madness Dance Marathon for ALS just to name a few.

As you can see, helping others is Mahaa’s way. Great work Mahaa! We thank you.

James Doyle

For James Doyle, leadership and service go hand in hand. As a leader with an intended major in the medical field, James has volunteered for the past two years at the Ronald McDonald house helping families deal with childhood illness. He has participated for the past two years in the Cystic Fibrosis walk, the Buddy walk and humbly admits to donating blood at least 3 times a year. He has also helped out his community by participating in the Township Toys drive, providing toys for those who have not the means to purchase their own.

For the past four years, James has served as an elected student class officer, coordinating events for the school. He also volunteers regularly as a religious education teacher since 11th grade. James has a genuine love of people; he has the ability to listen and a strong gift of connecting with others. Thank you James for sharing this gift in our community!

Na’tiasia Morales-McClendon

Na’tiasia started her own non-profit organization that raises awareness for Alopecia and Marfans Syndrome. She truly is an inspiration to those fighting these diseases. Through her non-profit organization, Na’tiasia has developed leadership skills that will serve her well in her future endeavors.

Na’tiasia has volunteered at the local food bank and has spoken at numerous girls’ youth groups. She is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council, WHS Dance, Class Senate, and S.A.V.E. also known as Students Protecting The Environment. In addition to this service, she is also a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and serves as her school’s basketball manager.

Na’tiasia plans to attend college and major in speech pathology. Good luck and thank you for your service Na’tiasia.

Timothy Fleisch

Timothy has been extremely active in his church community. With his church, he has regularly helped to feed the needy throughout the poorest areas of Philadelphia. He is an avid, and talented, member of his church “Worship Band,” playing keyboard during church services and beyond.

Timothy is also a member of the Leadership Team of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a group that helps others to improve their communication and decision making skills.

In his high school, Timothy participates in the Spanish Honor Society, and the Italian-American Club. His future plans include attending college, where he plans on majoring in International Relations, and minoring in Economics. Ultimately, Timothy would like to practice Law. Thank you for your dedicated service to others, Timothy!

Emma Durham

Emma is a wonderful young lady who is always willing to help. From an early age, Emma was taught that service is an integral part of living in a community. At the age of four, she began her community service career by visiting patients at Genesis Healthcare, in Millville New Jersey.

Upon entering high school, Emma organized and participated in numerous community service projects including the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, The Saint Vincent DePaul Society, and area churches in Vineland.

Emma stated that all the charities are close to her heart. However, she began helping the Atlantic City Rescue Mission by collecting clothing, baby supplies, toiletries and financial donations in honor of a good friend, Gabe Chiatello, who passed away unexpectedly and too soon at the young age of just 24.

For the Saint Vincent DePaul Society, she helped to foster a partnership with Progresso Soups encouraging them to provide food to feed the displaced. During the winter months, area churches in Vineland open their doors to the homeless, especially during code blue times, where the temperatures may fall below freezing and become dangerously cold for those who are homeless.

Emma, along with her sister Dana and her mother, collected blankets, and made many meals to feed those staying in the area churches during these times. As you can see, with Emma it’s a family affair, where giving of her heart to the community has been and will be a lifelong process. Emma plans to attend college in the fall. Thank you for your wonderful work Emma!