Bergen County School Boards Association Honors 55 Unsung Heroes

The lectern at the Bergen County Unsung Heroes recognition ceremony.
Michael Jacobs, president of the Bergen County School Boards Association, welcomed attendees to the recognition ceremony.
Members of the BCSBA Executive Committee.
Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of NJSBA, greets attendees as BCSBA President Michael Jacobs looks on.
James Bononno, principal of Henry P. Becton Regional High School, welcomed attendees to the high school and congratulated the Unsung Heroes.
Germaine M. Ortiz, chairwoman, Bergen County Board of Commissioners, was on hand to greet attendees and congratulate the honorees.
Dr. Letizia Pantoliano, first vice president, BCSBA, introduced some of the Unsung Heroes and presenters.
A group photo of all the Unsung Heroes and BCSBA board members at the conclusion of the BCSBA Unsung Heroes recognition ceremony.

On Tuesday, March 5, the Bergen County School Boards Association honored 55 twelfth-grade students from high schools across the county as “Unsung Heroes” at Henry P. Becton Regional High School in East Rutherford.

Unsung Heroes make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities, even though they are often overlooked under traditional student recognition guidelines. Unsung Heroes can be students who make their school a better place because of their warm personality, their empathy and concern for others. They tend not to let obstacles stop them.

All high schools in Bergen County are eligible to recognize one Unsung Hero. About 350 people turned out to recognize their achievements and contributions.

Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of the New Jersey School Boards Association, attended along with BCSBA President Michael Jacobs; BCSBA First Vice President Dr. Letizia Pantoliano; Second Vice President Paula Colbath; Michael Sprague, an NJSBA board of directors delegate; Behrooz Pasdar, an NJSBA board of directors alternate; and William Barnaskas, Elisa Billis, Melissa Delrosso, Laura Genovese-Behrmann, Diane Holzberg, Mary Katherine Norian and Marlene Somerville, all members of the BCSBA Executive Committee.

Ray Pinney, lead director of member training and engagement at the NJSBA; and Matt Lee, a field service representative with the NJSBA, also attended. Rob Acerra, county activities coordinator at NJSBA, coordinated the logistics and planning of the event.