Heroes and Helpers 2018
The fifth annual Heroes and Helpers event was held Wednesday at Target on Route 1 in South Brunswick. The event recognizes some truly exceptional kids with a special day to honor their accomplishments. These ten recipients were each selected by their individual school for their outstanding work and character.
These kids have been involved in many different types of school and community activities-
- Supporting Brain Injury Alliance
- Promoting Autism awareness and helping autistic kids in the classroom and on the playground
- Founding and raising money for Hospital Helpers, a program supporting hospitalized children
- Being involved in Peer Leadership
- Helping physically disabled students participate in physical activities
- Helping kindergarteners learn to read and volunteering to tutor other students
- Assisting in socializing new students when they transfer to South Brunswick schools and reaching out to shy students in school and on the playground
- Being involved in the GSA and advocating for LGBTQ+ students
- Taking care of their fellow students, staff members, and school buildings, and taking care of their families
These kids are involved, formally and informally, in school and peer leadership activities. Some are student council representatives, Safety Patrol members, Bus Helpers, Classroom Helpers, and Peer Mediators. They are often thought of as the unofficial school good will ambassadors, bringing smiles to all they meet during the day. They are role models, setting a good example for others to follow.
These kids are known to help staff in the schools, provide motivation and guidance to classmates, and to offer kindness, compassion, and a cheerful word to all they meet throughout the day. Almost every single nomination mentioned the word “positive”, which says something about their attitudes while they manage all of this.
Chief Raymond Hayducka said, “It’s a pleasure to recognize these ten students for their outstanding efforts. There are over 9,000 students in the district and these young men and women were chosen because they have made a positive impact in their school or community.”
Each honoree was given a Target gift card, and their own personal police officer to accompany them through the store on their shopping spree. The program was funded by a partnership between Target, the South Brunswick School District Administrators, and the two South Brunswick Police Department unions, PBA and FOP.
Here are the ten students that were recognized and the schools that nominated them;
South Brunswick High School -
Richard Jabaery Ellis
Crossroads South Middle -
Nicholas Schucman
Crossroads North Middle –
Grace Manzino
Brunswick Acres Elementary –
Jeylon Billups
Greenbrook Elementary -
Jayden Hanis
Cambridge Elementary -
Gianna Hackett
Constable Elementary -
Tehmel Pittman
Monmouth Junction Elementary -
McKenna Caffrey
Indian Fields Elementary -
Robert Cobbs
Brooks Crossing Elementary –
Aaliyah Parks
