County Scenes: Union, Middlesex, Essex Honor Students – New Jersey School Boards Association

The Union, Middlesex and Essex county school boards associations honored deserving high school students recently at the “Unsung Heroes Student Recognition Awards.” The awards recognize students who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities, but who may be overlooked under traditional student recognition guidelines. Honorees may have overcome academic or personal challenges, modeled good citizenship, or shown a spirit or quiet strength that inspires others. More than 130 students were honored altogether.

Union County School Boards Association President Ray Topoleski, (left), of Linden, and Rahway High School Principal John Farinella, on the stage at Rahway High School for the Union County Student Recognition Awards. Family, friends and school officials filled the auditorium as 35 students were honored. — Union County School Boards Association President Ray Topoleski (left) of Linden, and Rahway High School Principal John Farinella on the stage at Rahway High School for the Union County Student Recognition Awards. Family, friends and school officials filled the auditorium as 35 students were honored.

The Essex County School Boards Association gathered at Liberty Middle School in West Orange to honor 30 student “unsung heroes.” Pictured (l-r) are Essex County School Boards Association President Sandra Mordecai, at the podium; Jennifer Woodhouse, association vice president; and Judith Amorim Dias, vice president. To the right is a Montclair School District official. — The Essex County School Boards Association gathered at Liberty Middle School in West Orange to honor 30 student “unsung heroes.” Pictured on the stage are Essex County School Boards Association President Sandra Mordecai, Jennifer Woodhouse, association vice president; and Judith Amorim Dias, Association vice president, along with a Montclair School District official.

The Middlesex County Student Recognition Awards, which honored 68 students, was co-sponsored by the Middlesex County School Boards Association and the Middlesex County Association of School Administrators. The event took place at Old Bridge High School.