Students Honor Mahwah's 'Everyday Heroes'

Two dozen locals left a ceremony at Ramapo Ridge Middle School last week armed with plaques, flowers, and a pretty humbling honor – the residents were named “Everyday Heroes” by the Community Problem Solver students at Mahwah High School.

The Community Problem Solvers have been working on a yearlong service project to inspire members of the community to be nicer to one another. The group has put together events all year long. The project culminated last Monday in the 'Open Your Hearts' ceremony, which awarded members of the community whose daily behaviors could be considered positive models for others.

Earlier this year, the students asked for nominations from students and the community for deserving honorees. Last Monday night, nominators explained to a crowd of over 100 people why they felt their nominees were deserving, and honorees accepted their Open Your Hearts awards.

Sara Zaat, a sophomore at MHS, nominated Jessica Gotthold, founder of the National Foundation for Animal Rescue, for an OYH Award.

“I grew up in Mahwah, and I didn’t know about her myself until I started volunteering with her this year,” Zaat said. “She helps thousands of animals every year, and makes a huge impact, and does it all so humbly. When I heard about this, I thought she’d be perfect for this award.”

Most recipients were overwhelmed by the honor.

“We just feel very honored that after all these years, we still have the support that we do,” Terry Wendrychowicz, the founder of the Mahwah Marine Moms, an award recipient at the ceremony, said. “We just really appreciate everything we get from the community, this award included.”

The CPS class and their advisor Joan Garris were joined by the honorees, school and township officials.

“It’s a very, very nice thing to honor people in the community our students come in contact with everyday,” MHS Principal John Pascale said when welcoming the crowd to the event.

“[The students have chosen to award] a very impressive group of recipients,” Mayor Bill Laforet added. “It’s hard to imagine the number of people who are impacted [by the recipients] on a daily basis.”

The recipients of the 2013 Open Your Heart awards are:

• The Brandle Family and their niece Elizabeth O’Connor who formed and staff the Christopher Brandle Joy of Life Foundation, which provides funding for research in pediatric brain cancer and support to families.
• Carolyn Blake for her volunteer work with the Mahwah Municipal Alliance
• Mahwah Police Officer Joseph  Horn for his 20 years of service with the Mahwah Police Department and his dedication as a DARE Officer at Joyce Kilmer & Mahwah HS
• Eric and Jordan Kaplan for founding the DZ Foundation in memory of friend Dan Zolotorofe
• Elena Sgambati, Lenape Meadows School paraprofessional helper to non-English speaking  students and their families in need
• Rebecca Damante, an MHS senior who formed the GlamourGals Foundation, Inc, which inspires and organizes teens to provide ongoing companionship and complimentary beauty makeovers to women living in senior homes.
• Mr. Premus, a 92-year-old Mahwah Crossing Guard for 28 years
• Darryl Secor, the owner Secor Farms, for his generosity to the Mahwah Schools and community
• Tom DeWan, a community volunteer who serves on the Mahwah Beautification Committee
• Gary Paton, the Lions Club Past President and volunteer to collect eyeglasses for the needy
• The Spett Family, directors of Pony Power Therapeutic riding center
• Mrs. Clair, Mahwah High School Paraprofessional for Special Needs Students
• Lucy Sroga, A well-loved Mahwah High School Cafeteria worker
• Chris Wilson and Denise Jukniewicz, the Mahwah Public Library Childrens and Teen librarians who foster a love of reading, and go above and beyond to help students enjoy books
• Stacey Mandel, a Guidance Counselor Mahwah High School who sets up a volunteer fair annually with over 20 organizations to reach out to students
• Sharon Vanderbeck, a dedicated retired Teacher & Devoted mother
• Mahwah Marine Moms, the group that sends out hundreds of packages to service men and women
• Mike Feeney, a dedicated teacher who serves in the Army Reserves in Iraq
• Mr. Humphreys, an outstanding lacrosse coach
• Randy Fuchs, Barbara Fernicola, Maria Benjamin, nominated as exceptional teachers at MHS
• Jessica Gotthold, an animal a and founder of activist and founder of the National Foundation for Animal Rescue
• Suzy Godding, the founder of the Mahwah Elves
• Mahwah Police Sgt. Robert Curtis and Lt. Phillip Tangel, who serve the community and saved accident victim from a burning truck in January 2013.

Members of the Community Problem Solving team said the event accomplished exactly what they set out to do at the beginning of the school year.

“We really wanted these people to feel appreciated,” student Jessie Duke said. “We hope that recognizing them impacts everyone else in the community. Seeing the good these people do will hopefully inspire people to pay it forward. Everyone can do something good.”

Based on this project, the 12-member Mahwah team was selected as a top community-minded team at the New Jersey State Future Problem Solving Bowl earlier this year. The Open Your Heart Team will go on to share their project at the International Future Problem Solving Bowl, which will be held at the University of Indiana-Bloomington this June.

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