2016 Gift Of The Heart – Woodbury Jr. Sr. High School

Woodbury, NJ May 16, 2016
For Immediate Release

The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to a half a million dollars to its “Gift of the Heart” Community Service Scholarship Foundation. Forty-one graduating seniors from Gloucester & Salem County High Schools have been selected to receive a one thousand dollar scholarship for embodying the service ideals of the program. This week, the 2016 “Gift of the Heart” Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Woodbury High School: Jacynda Ahrens and John Weatherby.

Jacynda Ahrens

Jacynda believes community service is integral to the overall growth of a person. She does not like to procrastinate; rather Jacynda likes to complete tasks in a timely and orderly manner. Her teachers took notice and started giving her opportunities to assist other students. As a Future Teaching teacher’s aide, Jacynda started assisting students struggling with math during her lunchtime. These students, through their hard work and instruction from Jacynda went from failing grades to getting a “B” by the end of the class.

Jacynda has also used her organizational skills to help teachers as well. Her Home Economics teacher, Mrs. Platt allowed her to assist in her class. Jacynda helped with filing, copying, prioritizing and scheduling various tasks. Word got out and soon Jacynda was helping other teachers as well. She helped Mrs. Davis with organizing her closet to allow her to access books and documents easily without searching for them. Jacynda believes the look on people’s faces you help more than makes up for the time and work put into helping others. Way to go, Jacynda!    

John Weatherby

John likes to devote most of his free time to serving his community in any way he can. He is an Eagle Scout from West Deptford Troop 9 where he participates in many different service-related activities. John has been involved in food drives, street cleanups along with his Eagle Scout project of refurbishing the entire Woodbury Little League Complex from top to bottom.

John also participates in many community service projects through the Woodbury Merchants Association. He has helped out at the Santa Parade, Fall Festival Parade, Cruise nights along with the Woodbury Car Show. Woodbury High School requires each student to complete 72 community service hours to graduate. John started submitting his service learning hours and before he knew it, had over 1,000-service learning hours towards his graduation requirement! John enjoys performing community work and says he will continue long after graduation. Great job, John!

Congratulations are extended to Woodbury High School students Jacynda Ahrens and John Weatherby as well as to their proud family and friends! Their community service to others exemplifies the true meaning of a Gift of the Heart!

Next week’s featured recipients will be from Our Lady of Mercy Academy.

Click here to read more about the Hoffman DiMuzio Gift Of The Heart Scholarship Foundation.

If you’d like to see the rest of the 2016 scholarship winners, click here.