MOHS Senior Recognized As Unsung Hero

BY CHERYL CONWAY STAFF WRITER

MOUNT OLIVE - Mt. Olive

High School Senior Catherine

Kopas of Flanders was recently recognized by the Morris County School Board Association for her outstanding student contributions and involvement in the school district and community.

She is one of 40 students throughout the Morris County school district selected to receive this year’s Unsung Hero Award. In its second year, the 2023 Unsung Heroes Student Recognition Ceremony was held Wednesday, March 29, at the County College of Morris in Randolph.

At the event, Mt. Olive’s award-winning jazz ensemble under the direction of Darrell Hendricks performed and its Air Force Jr. ROTC color guard presented colors. Mt. Olives choir sang the National Anthem during the opening ceremony.

The purpose for the inaugural program is to honor “the students who make your district a better place because they are a part of it,” as stated on the cover of the program.

“The Unsung Hero program is an unique honor that strives to identify students who typically are not recognized for traditional honors but who often have just as important an impact on our school community,” says Dr. Sumit Bangia, acting superintendent of Mt. Olive School District. “Catherine Kopas is the embodiment of an unsung hero.

Catherine is an active member of the MOHS school community serving as a member of a variety of student organizations including Best Buddies and Key Club. She is also active in her Teen Ministry.

“It is evident through her contributions to these important organizations that she is an active citizen who strives to improve her community through her actions,” says Bangia. “We are fortunate to have such a remarkable student as Catherine in our district. We are truly so proud of her and all her accomplishments.”

Kopas was nominated by MOHS Counselor Mary Kellam and was accompanied by their parents and friends at the event.

MOHS Vice Principal Susan Zawastetcky gave the introduction on why she was nominated.

In her nomination letter, Kellam writes that she has been Kopas’s school counselor for the past three years and described her as “respectful, kind, and responsible. Such characteristics are reflected in Catherine’s chosen extracurricular activities. Catherine has been able to manage her time well as she involved herself in our community while making her academics a priority.”

She says Kopas began her high school career enrolled in all college preparatory classes, but soon challenged her schedule with honors level courses and most recently an Advanced Placement level course, earning impressive grades while engaging in several extracurricular activities. She has been an active member of Best Buddies, SAVE club and Key club, all of which have the theme of helping others. Kopas has also volunteered with the Teen Ministry at her church and engaged with senior citizens as part of one of their activities.

“She seeks to help others and finds fulfillment in doing so,” writes Kellam, while also working a part-time job. She is also a member of the MOHS field hockey and lacrosse teams.

“Catherine Kopas has been a positive addition to our school community.” 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. 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.

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 exhibits 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.

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 scholarship, 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!

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

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

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