Congratulations to our 2016 scholarship recipients

JAZMYN SCOTT

If you ask Jazmyn why she does community service, she will tell you, volunteering is really fun and she honestly loves it. While we have all heard the phrase,” a dog is man’s “best” friend,” this is certainly true because of the efforts of Jazmyn Scott. Since 2012, Jazmyn has volunteered at the Cumberland County SPCA helping others to adopt pets through her dedication to the animals at the shelter.

At the Cumberland County SPCA, Jazmyn helps get the animals ready for adoption by walking, socializing, cleaning and working with them. Her work with these animals will help give local families an opportunity to adopt, minimizing the use of euthanasia. If an animal is too aggressive to be safely adopted, she will often stay with the dog providing love and support during the animals last hours of life.

Jazymn is active both in school and out. In school, she is a member of the marching band, student council and the environmental club. She participates in basketball, track and field as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, teaching bible lessons to others.

Thank you Jazymn, for being a “best” friend to your community!

FERNANDO MARINERO

Each day provides us with the opportunity to show kindness to others. Fernando Marinero extends his kindness to others through teaching. In 9th grade, he began his career of volunteering by helping children learn the basics of soccer.

In his junior year, Fernando was accepted into the National Honor Society, where he continued to extend kindness by volunteering in school and in the community. In school, Fernando tutors a student who struggles with math and science, because English is the student’s second language. He also mentors incoming 6th graders on responsibility, maturity and other important life skills.

In the community, Fernando distributes food to the less fortunate at the food pantry and took great care cleaning up his community through the Town Clean-Up.

Fernando is also an athlete, playing soccer as well as winter and spring track. As you can clearly see, Fernando works hard displaying kindness toward others. We thank you Fernando!

DESTINI CLARK

We are all familiar with the phrase “Charity begins at home.” In Destini’s dual households, truer words were never spoken. She rotates between 2 separate households helping her siblings and completing daily chores after school. Destini believes giving your time to others is one of the best ways to broaden your perspective of the world. “It does not matter the time, the situation or the reason because there is a sense of humbleness and modesty that comes from community service activities that carrys on to the other parts your life,” said Destini Clark.

In addition to her family responsibilities, Destini volunteers in the community as a Peer Transition Leader, Youth Group Coordinator, Vacation Bible School teacher’s assistant and as the Jeeper’s Creepers manager for the annual Halloween festival held at the school.

Destini Clark has served all four years of high school as an officer in student government, currently holding the position of Senior Class President and Chapter Vice president for the National Honor Society. Additionally, Destini proudly represents 8,100 N.J. high school DECA members as the current New Jersey State President for the Distributive Education Association.

From the home front to the State of New Jersey, Destini Clark represents what the Gift of the Heart Scholarship program is all about. We thank you Destini!

JAMES KELLY

James Kelly believes community service teaches us to be thankful. “It really makes you think about where you are in life, where you could be and what you truly should be thankful for,” said Kelly.

As a JROTC member, James helps with the annual Thanksgiving Day dinner providing free meals and clothing to those less fortunate. He and his JROTC Color Guard Team present the flag at various events. He serves as a JROTC squad leader, Platoon Sergeant and First Sergeant. James Kelly received the JROTC Superior Cadet Award in 2015 as well as the Good Citizenship Award from the Philadelphia Union League.

Since 2011, James has helped to set up, direct traffic and clean up for the Annual Ride to Remember to benefit the Gloucester County Hero Scholarship. He participated in the Clean Communities Act as a member of Delsea soccer, wrestling, band and National Honor Society cleaning up roads and other areas in the community. At the annual community day festival, he volunteers for soccer, wrestling, band and National Honor society booths throughout the day and also during their other respective service projects.

James serves as the National Honor Society Chapter President and as a Peer Mediator for the school. He plans to earn admittance to one of the nation’s top military academies in the fall. Good Luck James and thank you for your service!

LEAH COHEN

Leah has been involved in community service since middle school. Her first huge project was in preparation for her Bat Mitzvah. She collected gently used children’s books to give to the elementary schools in Camden. Subsequently, Leah Cohen visited the schools and read to the children. She was so gratified and found it so rewarding to see the children enjoy her efforts!

Next, Leah joined Rachel’s Challenge, a club dedicated to spreading acts of kindness. Some of her projects include helping out with the Pitman Food Pantry, the Big Brother Big Sister youth mentor program and participating in the Out of Darkness Suicide Prevention Walk.

Leah Cohen is also a member of the Girl’s Leadership group. She volunteers at St. John of God once a month, helping children with disabilities. As member of the National Honor Society Leah also collects funds for UNICEF.

Leah volunteers her time in nursing homes, a women’s shelter, a thrift shop and preschools. Additionally, Leah works with GRYO Squad promoting youth leadership to prevent youth substance abuse. The group does Sticker Shock Campaigns, putting stickers on alcohol describing the risks of underage drinking, so people will think twice about purchasing alcohol for minors.

If you ask Leah how she feels about doing community service she will tell you ” I will continue to do community service my whole life. I think it’s important to give back to the community and help the people who need it.” Great job Leah! We thank you.

KEVIN TROCOLLI

Kevin is a builder of bridges! As a Boy Scout and now an Eagle Scout, community service has always been part of Kevin’s life. As a Scout member, Kevin would build small bridges for lakeside walking paths, while also repainting the sides of old houses and sheds in town.

Eventually his projects got bigger and bigger. More steady bridges were built, beautiful gardens for schools in the community were planted and a section of their park that was falling down was repaired and painted. One of Kevin’s favorite tasks was to erect a large birdhouse and create a long strip of flowerbeds along a running path for the local park.

For his Eagle Scout project, Kevin chose to help out at Glen Lake. He built a small retaining wall to help stop water runoff and refilled the area with fresh dirt. Grass seed was sprinkled in barren areas and shrubs were planted as well. The revitalization took 2 Saturdays with the help of other dedicated scout members.

Kevin is not only a builder of bridges but through his efforts within his community, a builder of goodwill and generosity for the benefit of others. Our hard hats are off to you Kevin. We thank you!

KAITLYN WEATHERBY

In today’s fast-paced world of Twitter and Instagram, Kaitlyn Weatherby has found a more personal way of leaving a lasting memory. In eighth grade, Kaitlyn started a ministry at her church called Karing Kards Ministry. The ministry sends cards out to people in need of prayers or a little boost. People in nursing homes, hospitals as well as missionaries overseas all have received cards from Kaitlyn. Despite all of the good done by her ministry, Kaitlyn feels she has been rewarded knowing that such a simple gesture can have such a meaningful impact to another person.

Kaitlyn has been a swimmer just about her entire life. She has used her swimming skills as a lifeguard at Brookside Swim Club and GCIT. While at Brookside, Kaitlyn was also a Big Buddy mentor and Little Dolphin Swim Instructor. For the past seven years, she has volunteered at Pitman United Methodist Church. Her activities included volunteering at soup kitchens and working on fundraisers. Kaitlyn has also volunteered at Kennedy Health System in their Mother/Baby department organizing charts, packages and patient bags. Wonderful work. Thank you Kaitlyn.

PRANAV PATEL

Pranev remembers being gently pushed by his parents to volunteer when he was twelve years old. Today, he couldn’t think of not volunteering, as it has become part of his life. Having a positive impact in someone else’s life motivates Pranev. His experiences volunteering have made him more sympathetic to the plight of others. Pranev’s has volunteered with the elderly, sick people, the poor as well as his fellow students.

Through the India Temple Association, Pranev has worked on many community programs and charitable causes including the Relay for Life through the American Cancer Society. He has also volunteered at the Deptford Public Library assisting with shelving books, setting up computers and cleaning up. Pranev has participated with the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America as a camp leader. His duties include carrying out camp activities and assisting younger campers. Pranev has also helped his fellow students tutoring them as a member of the National Honor Society. Nice service Pranev. Thank you!

AMIRA LEE

American historian and social activist Howard Zinn once said, “Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people can change the world.” Amira Lee truly believes in these words and tries to live by them each day. For the past four summers, Amira has volunteered at Camp Lenoloc in Bear Mt. Park, New York. At the camp, she serves underprivileged inner city youth. Amira’s goal is to make the camp the best part of their summer.

In addition to her service at the camp, Amira has served her school community by being a member of Destructive Decisions, Big Brother Big Sister, Student Council, Students United for Respect and Equality, the Paulsboro High School Football Statistician, and the School Store Assistant Manager. These activities allow Amira to communicate effectively with the student body and be a liaison to the school staff. She also plays an active role in her town volunteering for Paulsboro Day, the Fourth of July Parade and the Little League Opening Ceremony. Great job Amira Lee!

TAHJE THOMAS

Gandhi once said “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” For Tahje, truer words were never spoken as he has served as the Student Liaison to the Paulsboro Board of Education since eight grade. The position requires Tahje to attend monthly board meetings as well as participate in various school and district wide events. Additionally, this position has allowed Tahje to serve the community of Paulsboro. Tahje enjoys being the voice of his peers, presenting the needs and ideas of the entire student body to the administration, board and community.

Tahje also volunteers as the Paulsboro High School Store Manager. If you ask Tahje, he will tell you that he is paid in terms of the experiences and networking opportunities that he encounters each and every day. He is also part of the football team field crew helping to set up the field and bleachers before and after each game. Tahje truly has Paulsboro Pride, as he also is the wrestling clock operator. Way to go, Tahje!

RACHEL DAGROSA

For Rachel DaGrosa, community service starts at home. Since she was very young, her family has been involved in volunteer activities whether going on fundraising walks or her dad’s participation in Habitat for Humanity helping to build homes. Rachel believes that foundation motivated her to volunteer throughout her high school career. In her words, “it has shaped me into the person I am today.”

Through her participation as a Class Council Executive Board Member, Rachel has volunteered with the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, N.J. Her activities include playing with children receiving treatment, maintaining their room, and keeping it clean along with putting on fresh linens. For Township Toys, she helped host a 24-hour toy drive that distributes toys to children in need within the community. Rachel continues to walk for charity volunteering in the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome Awareness, Cystic Fibrosis Walk, Steps for Seizures for Epilepsy and the Race for Hope Brain Cancer walk. Great job, Rachel!

TYLER DOLGOS

Tyler Dolgos’s motto is “service before self.” Volunteering is a way to make a difference in someone else’s life. For the past two years, Tyler has been a Freshmen Transition Peer Counselor. In this week-long summer program, he helps incoming freshmen transition into high school by familiarizing them with all the school’s activities while acting as a role model. Tyler joined this program after his own participation in this program as a freshman.

This past summer, Tyler organized a community event with a classmate called Project CPR. This program provided CPR instruction at no cost to family and friends. Focusing on emergent situations, Project CPR taught the important steps to take especially in home situations where an individual must deal with someone with cardiac arrest. Tyler also volunteers for the Team Step-Up program. Each volunteer gives up their lunch period once a week to help a classmate who is failing a class or having difficulty comprehending a subject. Tyler enjoys seeing the difference he is making in helping his fellow students improve their grades. Way to go, Tyler!

SOFIA QUINONES

Sofia believes you make a life for yourself by how you interact with others. She is very proud of the many opportunities provided to her to give back to her community. Through her high achievement academically along with her participation in many different extra-curricular activities, Sofia has made a positive impact on her community. As a Williamstown Marching Band member, she has regularly participated in community events, charity football games as well as the Memorial Day, Christmas and Halloween parades.

A talented singer, Sofia has performed the National Anthem at the JROTC Military Ball. She parlayed that moment into performing at the home football games, MIA/POW events and the annual Memorial Day parade. As a member of the Williamstown High School Engineering Academy, Sofia has worked as a tutor for middle school students helping them create irrigation systems as well as teaching them about our solar system. Importantly, she has helped organize a cleanup and beautification committee at her high school. Great job, Sofia!

JOHN SHERFEY

For John, satisfaction comes from creating beautiful things that will benefit the community. He enjoys working with others on a common goal that fosters teamwork while having fun. Last year, John joined his school’s Courtyard cleanup project. These three areas were unused by students who were not even allowed to walk through them. Working with twenty other students, they sheared bushes, pulled weeds and cleaned up all three courtyards that will soon be open to the students.

In his spare time, John works for Muth Farm Flowers. Capitalizing on this experience, John approached his school with the idea of creating a garden at the high school. He applied to the 2016 Youth Garden in order to get materials. The courtyards will be the sites for these new gardens. Additionally, a greenhouse is also being built to spur student’s interest in his garden project. Plants will be transplanted from the greenhouse to the beds in the courtyard. By the time he is finished, John will have established a garden program at Williamstown High School. Way to go, John!

JESSICA BAALS

Jessica has not let the personal challenges in her life keep her from reaching out to others. In fact, she uses it as her inspiration for her community service. Last year, Jessica founded a non-profit organization called Covers for Comfort, Inc. She makes blankets that she chose to donate to a hospital and cancer treatment center. She chose the hospital because that’s where she had multiple surgeries as a young girl. She chose the cancer treatment center because that where Jessica’s father receives his cancer treatment.

The idea for this charity came from a service project assignment when Jessica was in eighth grade. She subsequently attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference where her concept of Covers for Comfort took flight. Jessica can now help others on a much larger scale. In Jessica’s own words, “I completely understand how the people receiving my blankets may be feeling because there have been times in my own life that I have been sick or felt lonely or sad and felt better knowing that someone cared about me.” Great job, Jessica!

JORDAN BURKHARDT

Since Jordan was a child, her family has instilled in her the value and importance of helping others. To be selfless and care for others more than you do yourself. Jordan volunteers for “A Little Smile of South Jersey.” This organization helps local families in need. Jordan participated in a motorcycle toy run to DuPont Children’s Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware. She helped sell tickets and organized the toys. At the hospital, she helped unload the toys and handed them out to the children. Jordan will never forget the faces of the children as well as their parents when handing out those toys.

Jordan also created her own community service project entitled Penns Grove Blanket Bouquet. This project was based on the idea of giving flowers to someone who is ill. Instead, Jordan gives out colorful blankets resembling flowers to cancer patients. Jordan explains patients receiving chemotherapy tend to get cold during treatment. The blankets help comfort them during this difficult time. Jordan’s motto comes from Gandhi, “the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Great job, Jordan!

JASON STEFANSKI

For Jason, for each hour he serves others, someone benefits from it and there is no better feeling than that. Since he started high school, Jason has taken a much more active role in his community. One of his favorite activities is helping to coach at the Calvary Church’s World Cup Soccer Camp. This is a weeklong camp each summer that lasts up to 5 hours each day. Jason will work with the youngest age group 6-8 years old. He enjoys teaching them basic soccer skills while giving them something to remember.

At school, Jason is also involved in Project Graduation. He helps raise money throughout the school year for a special night for seniors after graduation to create an alcohol and drug free night. Their fundraising activities include road cleanups, coin drops, clothing drives and sub sales. Through National Honor Society, Jason also helps run the concessions stand for his school’s boys and girls basketball teams. He also assists in events throughout the year such as a pancake breakfast with Santa. Jason enjoys these activities as it builds community pride and trust and loves being part of it. Way to go, Jason!

ABIGAIL SHARP

Abigail has made community service an integral part of her life. She believes the most important thing in life is giving to others. As a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Abigail has volunteered for the ARC of Salem County. She assists the consumers in playing bingo and also helps out at dances organized by the FBLA. Abigail also volunteers at the annual Great Pumpkin Carve where she helps children create Halloween crafts. She also volunteers at the NJ Junior Grange Camp where she lifeguards and is a junior camp counselor.

Through her participation at the Quinton United Methodist Church and the First Baptist Church of Salem, Abigail has volunteered at Vacation Bible School. Her activities include being a game leader for the younger children, cleaning roads and sorting through clothes. Abigail is also a tutor for second grade students from the John Fenwick School through her service with the Lighthouse Learning Center. She helps students complete homework, read books, and have fun while playing educational games. Abigail has found happiness in seeing other people happy. Great job, Abigail!

RAMON ROOTS

Ramon is proud of the active role he plays in his community. He is focused on making his community not only clean but also a safe environment to live. Ramon is Vice-President of the Youth On The Move (YOTM) Organization. He plans activities so younger children can enjoy themselves. They also do street-to-street cleanups to make sure they have a clean environment. Ramon also participates in the Positive Impact Movement. He travels to different cities and talks to younger children about the importance of being part of your community.

Ramon is also an International Baccalaureate student. Through his participation, he attended an international student world conference in Barcelona, Spain. He had the opportunity to meet fellow students from all over the world. Through this experience, Ramon understands the importance of having a diverse community and staying involved. Ramon and his fellow International Baccalaureate students plan to create a Mural Project to help bring this global experience back to our community. For Ramon, service is something that helps define himself as a leader. Through his example, he hopes to motivate others. Way to go, Ramon!

STEFANIE WILLIAMS

For Stefanie Williams, service to others has become a huge part of her life. She has committed herself to serving her community because of the enjoyment she gets from giving back. Stefanie enjoys mentoring younger students at Elmer Elementary School. In her junior year, she began working one on one with a student who was struggling socially as well as academically. Stefanie made a connection with her and looked forward to the end of the school day when she would meet with her student. Stefanie also assisted with the after-school program at Elmer Elementary School.

In addition to her mentoring, Stefanie also volunteered at Inspira Health Network and Twice Loved Treasure Thrift Store. The best part of volunteering at these two locations is the people Stefanie has met. She has been given many different responsibilities and always leaves feeling good that she volunteered. Additionally, Stefanie is president of Schalick’s National Honor Society Chapter as well as their Interact Club. She has been instrumental in helping to organize volunteer opportunities for her school. Great job, Stefanie!

JAMES VEGA

James Vega is using his talents to make a lasting impression on his school and his community. He was instrumental in designing a video that demonstrates how to be respectful and how the decisions you make can affect your life. The video was shown throughout Schalick High School as well as younger students in the area. James made the video to motivate students how respect of others can positively impact their community.

In addition to creating a video, James has been a member of a diverse number of community organizations. As a member of The Way Youth Group of Elmer Presbyterian Church, he volunteers at a home of adults with special needs. James also leads a Sunday church service at his church. He is also a member of Schalick’s Interact Club that promotes student interaction with the community. James has helped with breakfast with the elderly along with a can food drive. He has also participated in events such as Relay for Life to benefit cancer patients and Christmas caroling. Way to go, James!