2018 Gift Of The Heart – Salem High School

The law firm of Hoffman DiMuzio has allocated close to half a million dollars to its Gift of the Heart Community Scholarship Foundation. Forty-nine graduating seniors from Gloucester, Cumberland, and 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 2018 Gift of the Heart Hoffman DiMuzio Community Service Foundation recipients are from Salem High School: Sierra Brown and DeAndre’ Sanders.

Sierra Brown

Throughout her high school career, Sierra Brown has been involved in several community organizations. Her experiences have instilled a strong belief in the importance of civic mindedness. She explains, “…I feel that as a citizen of my community, I should give back to others who may struggle and need support.”

As a member of student council, Sierra helped to plan events for her high school such as Homecoming. With the National Honor Society, she completed requisite volunteer hours and participated in NHS community events. Due to her participation in IB courses, Sierra joined hundreds of other students for the International Baccalaureate World Student Conference in London. The focus of IBWSC this past year was mental health issues in the global community; following countless lectures, attendees brainstormed potential policies that could be implemented at the high school level. Sierra’s team proposed an anonymous check-in survey for counseling centers as a means to gather data on student health. The team emphasized that their survey would have the added benefit of minimal barriers to implementation.

In addition to these commitments, Sierra sings in the Salem High School Choir as an alto. Amazing work Sierra!

DeAndre’ Sanders

Upon joining Youth on the Move five years ago, DeAndre’ Sanders discovered a great way to support his community. YOTM is a non-profit focused on community service, which also offers opportunities for members to develop their career interests.

With YOTM, DeAndre’ has participated in numerous city cleanups and beautification projects. Such events can provide an excellent way to highlight what’s great about Salem. He notes, “…I already know I live in a beautiful and historical city, but I want other people to see the same.” He credits educational programs offered through the organization as playing an important role in shaping both his career and life aspirations. DeAndre’ is also a member of the National Honor Society, which requires community service hours of all of its members, and RYLA, a selective leadership and community oriented program.

In addition to his investment in volunteer work, he has competed on the Wrestling team and performed in marching band all four years of highschool. He also is a member of the Ram Singers, an advanced chamber choir, and participated in the International Baccalaureate World Student Conference in London. Keep up the great service DeAndre’!

Sincere congratulations are extended to Salem High School students Sierra Brown and DeAndre’ Sanders, as well as to their proud parents, family and friends! Next week, the featured Gift of the Heart recipients will be from Arthur P. Schalick High School.

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 2018 scholarship winners, click here.