On May 6, 2026, the West Morris Mendham High School auditorium was filled with more than just policy discussion—it was filled with the spirit of community. The Morris County School Boards Association (MCSBA) gathered for its final meeting of the 2025-2026 school year to host the 4th Annual Nancy Helbourg Memorial Recognition Ceremony, a night dedicated to the “heartbeat” of our districts: our students and the board members who serve them.

The MCSBA extends its deepest gratitude to the West Morris Regional Board of Education and Principal Anne Meagher for hosting this milestone event and providing a welcoming stage for our county’s brightest stars.

Honoring the “Unsung” and the Exceptional

The evening began with a powerful reminder of the future as West Morris Mendham students led the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance. MCSBA President Lisa Mezik (Rockaway Township) welcomed a hybrid audience of in-person and virtual attendees, joined by state leaders who recognize that the work done in Morris County sets a standard for the Garden State.

Distinguished guests included Senate Minority Leader Anthony M. Bucco, Assemblywoman Aura K. Dunn, and NJSBA Immediate-Past President Dr. Karen Cortellino, all of whom shared their appreciation for the “strategic grit” required to lead in today’s educational landscape.

Student Achievement and Unsung Heroes

The room’s energy shifted to pure celebration as Morris County Sheriff James M. Gannon took the stage to recognize our 8th Grade Unsung Heroes. These five students were honored not just for their grades, but for the character and resilience they show when the cameras aren’t rolling.

  • Anna Carbone (Mendham Township Middle School) – $500 sponsored by Nancy’s Village
  • Callie Foit (Mount Arlington School) – – $500 sponsored by Nancy’s Village
  • Jeremy Tanis (Lincoln Park Middle School) – $500 sponsored by Morris County Police Chief’s Association
  • Mackenzie Messuti (Morris Plains Borough School) – $500 sponsored by A Friend of Morris County SBA
  • Vinnie Anastasi (Riverdale Public School) – $500 sponsored by Adams, Lattiboudere, Croot, & Herman

The recognition continued with high school seniors who have turned perseverance into a platform for success. Through the incredible generosity of our local partners, the MCSBA was proud to facilitate over $25,000 in scholarships and tuition vouchers, ensuring that these leaders of tomorrow have the resources they need to succeed today.

  • Luca Giovanni Bambaci (Madison High School) – $1,500 sponsored by Valley Bank
  • Collin Wronko (Mount Olive High School) – $1,500 sponsored by Valley Bank
  • Samuel Philicien (Roxbury High School) – $1,500 sponsored by Maschio’s Food Services
  • Savina Annise Vellios (Pequannock Township High School) – $1,500 sponsored by Solutions Architecture
  • Alexander McKinney (Morris Knolls High School) – $1,000 sponsored by Treadstone Risk Management LLC
  • Luis Molina (Morris Knolls High School) – $1,000 sponsored by Treadstone Risk Management LLC
  • Jianna Bella Aguirre (Parsippany High School) – $1,250 sponsored by Friends of Morris County SBA
  • Lily Tullman (Morris County School of Technology) – $1,000 sponsored by Best Choice Home Care LLC
  • Lily David (Hanover Park High School) – $1,000 sponsored by All American Mechanical & the Rotary Club of the Skylands
  • Samantha Lopez (Morristown High School) – $1,000 sponsored by FKA Architects
  • Lily Tullman (Morris County School of Technology) – CCM Tuition Voucher sponsored by County College of Morris
  • Eliana Thompson (Dover High School) – CCM Tuition Voucher sponsored by County College of Morris

Specialized Scholarship Recognitions

The MCSBA also presented several field-specific scholarships to seniors pursuing excellence:

  • 4th Annual Laura Bishop Communications Scholarship: Aedan Perez (Randolph High School) – $1,000
  • 3rd Annual 403 Reasons to Run, Inc. First Responder Awards: Andrew Wimot (Mountain Lakes) and Modi Shi (Madison) – $1,004.03 each
  • 3rd Annual Architecture Scholarship: Alyssa Cocoziello (Morris County School of Technology) – $500 sponsored by Parette Somjen Architects
  • 2nd Annual USA Architects Scholarship: Maxine Ysabelle Armenta Salomon (Chatham High School) – $1,000
  • 1st Annual Finance Scholarship: Oleksandr Kulyk (Whippany Park High School) – $1,000 sponsored by Phoenix Advisors
  • A Season Finale: MCSBA President Lisa Mezik (Rockaway Township) welcomes the community to a night of legacy and leadership at West Morris Mendham.

Educational Leadership Awards and Board Milestones

The program introduced the Morris County Teacher of the Year, Natasha Tyjer-Mendez, a fourth-grade teacher at Riverdale Public School. NJSBA County Activities Coordinator Robert Acerra presented the 2025 NJSBA School Leader Award to the Mendham Borough School District for its innovative “School Superpowers” program.

Robert Acerra also presided over the presentation of milestone awards and Individual Board Member Academy certifications:

Board Member Service Milestones:

  • 10 Years: Thomas Brooks (West Morris Regional), Tim Donohue (Hanover Park Regional), Diane Morris (Mine Hill Township), Christina Perry (Morris Plains), and Marybeth Thomas (Riverdale) .
  • 15 Years: Christine Cabana (Boonton Township), Stacey Poulas (Jefferson Township), Denise Rawding (Morris Plains), Joseph Troise (East Hanover Township), and Jill Weber (Chathams) .
  • 20 Years: Don Casse (Denville Township).

Board Member Academy Certifications:

  • New Board Member Boardsmanship: Debora Acevedo (Town of Dover), Melanie Bratton (Washington Township), Jonathan Eisenmenger (Kinnelon), Kim Hopkins (Roxbury Township), Christine Mallimo-Orna (Jefferson Township), and T.C. McCourt (Town of Dover) .
  • Certified Board Member (CBM): Sheethal Abraham (Parsippany-Troy Hills), Kim Case (Long Hill Township), Danielle Esposito (Pequannock Township), Christine Fano (Montville Township), Lisa Ferrara (Riverdale), Louisa Melendez-Canedo (Mount Olive Township), Sarah Schultz (Chester Township), and Michelle Shappell (Parsippany-Troy Hills) .
  • Certified Board Leader (CBL): Kathleen Bartnick (Mine Hill Township), Matthew DeVitto (Parsippany-Troy Hills), Dr. Krista Seanor (Town of Dover), and Stephen Tindall (Madison).

A Community Investment

This year, the Morris County SBA awarded $25,208.06 in scholarships, gifts, and tuition vouchers. This achievement was made possible by the MCSBA Student Recognition Committee, who worked tirelessly to secure funding and organize the event.

Committee Members: Bernadette Dalesandro (Immediate-Past President- Co-Chair); Jennifer Darling (Boonton Town- Co-Chair); Anne Colucci (Roxbury); Jessica DeCicco (Washington); Peter Dumovic (Mendham Township); James Kim (Denville); Judy Mayer (Parsippany-Troy Hills); Lisa Mezik (Rockaway Township); Karen Ann Nyquist (Long Hill); Jessica Parks (Netcong); and Robert Acerra (NJSBA Staff).

The MCSBA expressed gratitude to the following sponsors whose contributions provided scholarships and support for the evening’s festivities:

  • Valley Bank – $3,000
  • Morris County Association of School Administrators – $2,300
  • 403 Reasons to Run, Inc. – $2,008.06
  • Treadstone Risk Management – $2,000
  • Maschio’s Food Services – $1,500
  • Solutions Architecture – $1,500
  • County College of Morris – $1,500
  • Friends of Morris County SBA – $1,250
  • Best Choice Home Care – $1,000
  • Laura Bishop Communications – $1,000
  • FKA Architects – $1,000
  • Nancy’s Village – $1,000
  • Phoenix Advisors – $1,000
  • New Road Health Supply – $1,000
  • USA Architects – $1,000
  • Friends of Morris County SBA – $650
  • Morris County Police Chiefs Association – $500
  • Adams, Lattiboudere, Croot & Herman – $500
  • Parette Somjen Architects – $500
  • All American Mechanical – $500
  • The Rotary Club of the Skylands – $500

President Lisa Mezik concluded the meeting by thanking the 2025-2027 MCSBA Executive Committee for their advocacy and wishing all members a productive end to the school year.