East Hanover and Hanover Students Recognized As Unsung Heroes

principal at Memorial Junior School in Hanover.

“Huli makes our school a better place each day,” says Anderson. “Not the most outspoken student, Huli works well with all of her teachers and her classmates. As a middle school student, she has grown tremendously and has risen to the challenge that middle school sometimes provides.”

Nguyen of East Hanover was nominated by Cara Marucci, counselor at Hanover Park High School.

“Kim moved from Vietnam to America four years ago,” notes Marucci. “He has overcome language barriers and has made great efforts to make friends and become an active member of our school and community. One specific instance is his assistance with the Class of 2024’s Winter Formal. Kim is not even in the class of 2024 but spent countless hours, sometimes spending late nights at school helping our advisors set up for the event. His efforts and service did not go unrecognized. He is a true unsung hero, doing as much good as he can and expecting nothing in return!”

Grogan of Cedar Knolls was selected by Whippany Park High School Principal Christopher Kelly.

“Michael Grogan is an accomplished senior at Whippany Park High School who is also a cancer survivor,” shares Kelly in his nomination letter. “He is resilient and highly driven to continue to be successful in all areas of life. Academically, Michael hopes to pursue a career in engineering either civil, biomedical, or chemical. This interest comes from his personal life experience of operating a VGO telepresence robot which enabled him to attend school remotely and feel more connected to his teachers and friends at school while receiving treat-

“His school counselor came to know Michael in the middle of eighth grade,” continues Kelly. “That was when she learned that Michael had been diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called osteosarcoma above his right knee. After an extensive treatment plan, Michael started high school in the fall. He is an excellent student who has been selected semifinalist in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program, Student of the Month, AP Scholar with Honor, NJ Governor’s School of Engineering and Technology nominee, and delegate of the American Legion Jersey Boys State Program.

“Michael is a well-rounded student who has also emerged as a school leader,” adds Kelly.

“He was selected drum major of the marching band and is vice president of community service of the Future Business Leaders of America. In addition, Michael is a member of the district’s golf team. Although cancer left him unable to run and participate in other athletics at WPHS, he is an avid tennis fan who plays tennis leisurely with his family and keeps on top of the game by knowing statistics and records of famous athletes.

Michael’s struggles and journey have been long and arduous. In the past four years, he has flourished while also being involved in Boys Scout of America Troop 155 for the past 11 years holding the rank of Life Scout and Senior Patriot Leader. Most recently, he completed his Eagle Scout project - a prayer labyrinth at Assumption Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Morristown earning him top rank.”

Inaugural Unsung Heroes

Event Is Formed

Two years ago, the Morris County School Boards Association established the Morris County Recognition and Awards Committee to research and recommend ways to acknowledge well deserving Morris County school students and Board of Education members, explains Bernadette Dalesandro, president of the Morris County School Boards Association and president of the Netcong Board of Education.

The committee is made up of Morris County school board members “who believe that recognition of outstanding student contributions in their respective schools and communities will help drive strong student outcomes and support student achievement,” says Dalesandro.

Last year the committee established the inaugural unsung heroes award to recognize a student from each Morris County School District who makes outstanding contributions to their schools and communities but who are often overlooked by traditional student recognition programs.

“Students considered may have overcome difficult academic or personal challenges, modeled good citizenship or ex- hibits a spirit and quiet strength that has inspired others or a student who has achieved academic success despite disabilities, language barriers or other significant challenges,” says Dalesandro.

Once the criteria was established by the committee, all 41 Morris County School Districts were invited to submit the name of a student to be recognized.

All K-8 districts were asked to nominate one 8th grade student and the K-12 and 9-12 districts were asked to nominate one high school senior.

Last year all nominees were recognized with a professionally made video that highlighted each student.

“This year we are able to meet in person and congratulate all 40 of our winners,” says Dalesandro. “Also, through the hard work and dedication of all our committee members I am happy to report that this year at our May meeting at Hanover Park Regional the Morris County School Boards Association will be awarding just over $5,000 in monetary and tuition assistance awards.”

All students nominated attended the award ceremony at CCM and all nominees had their nominator present the narrative as to why they felt they were their district’s unsung hero. They were then presented with a certificate.

All unsung heroes who plan to enroll at CCM will receive a $500 tuition assistance scholar- ship, she adds. Nominees will also be considered for monetary awards that will be presented after review of an impartial committee on May 4 at Hanover Park Regional High School.

The sponsors for this year’s event included Solutions Architect, the law firm of AG&L and American mechanical HVAC.

“Our sponsors have made available $5,000 to be awarded to our high school, senior nominees, and 8th graders who in the opinion of the committee exemplify an unsung hero,” says Dalesandro.

While other counties do some sort of student recognition with seniors receiving an unsung hero award, Dalesandro says “Morris County is unique because we include our 8th grade districts who select a graduating 8th grader. We, Morris County, have put our own little spin on things. We are the only county that involves the county sheriff and has monetary sponsors for awards.

“Our 8th grade unsung hero monetary award winners are sponsored by Morris County Sheriff James Gannon,” she adds. He reads and reviews all nominations and selects three students to be honored. The sheriff will come and present good citizenship plaques to those three students on May 4 and $500 monetary awards will be given.

Congratulations to all Unsung Heroes!