Members of the Randolph High School Orchestra perform for the attendees of the Morris County School Boards Association's Unsung Hero award ceremony. The orchestra was under the direction of Aoma Caldwell, Randolph High School orchestra director, who played along with the students.
On Wednesday, March 20, the Morris County School Boards Association honored 45 students from across the county as “Unsung Heroes” at the County College of Morris in Randolph Township.
The Morris County Unsung Heroes included one sixth-grade Unsung Hero from the K-6 Mine Hill Township district; 20 eighth-grade Unsung Heroes from K-8 school districts; and 24 twelfth-grade Unsung Heroes from K-12 and regional high school districts.
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 K-6 and K-8 school districts in Morris County are eligible to recognize one Unsung Hero along with an Unsung Hero from each high school in Morris County. About 250 people turned out to recognize their achievements and contributions.
Karen Cortellino, M.D., president of the New Jersey School Boards Association, attended along with MCSBA President Bernadette Dalesandro, MCSBA First Vice President Suzy Golderer, MCSBA Second Vice President for Legislation Michael Bertram, Paul Breda, an NJSBA board of directors’ delegate; and Jennifer Darling, Peter Dumovic, Joanne Greene Tobias, Judy Mayer, Lisa Mezik, Karen Ann Nyquist, and Michael Stewart, all MCSBA Executive Committee members.
Ray Pinney, lead director of member training and engagement at the NJSBA, attended along with Charlene Peterson, an NJSBA senior field service representative, and Rob Acerra, county activities coordinator at NJSBA, who coordinated the logistics and planning of the event.