Three Essex County Students Win the Annual
Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Volunteer Awards
The National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW/Essex) honored three extraordinary Essex County high school students with the Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Volunteer Awards. The recipients of the awards were recognized for their outstanding contributions to many different causes including working with a nonprofit to help prevent the transmission of malaria, fundraising money and educating people on the importance of organ donation, and volunteering as part of a local first aid squad and as a firefighter. This is the 14th year the award has been bestowed to deserving high school students.
The 2017 award winners include Jacqueline Smith of Mount Saint Dominic Academy in Caldwell, Max Prince of West Essex Regional High School in North Caldwell, and Thomas Salandra of James Caldwell High School. These high school seniors have shown a commitment and dedication to improving lives for others locally and globally. This year’s winners of the Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Volunteer Awards each received a $500 scholarship and a commemorative certificate.
Jacqueline Smith, a senior at Mount Saint Dominic Academy, has dedicated her time to trying to prevent malaria transmission by working with the non-profit Nothing But Nets. For the past four summers, Smith has worked at a local day camp and has created fun games involving various nets as a way of raising money. After combining all donations from entry fees and spare change, Smith has been able to gather together over $3,370 for the organization, which is enough to send over 337 nets to families all over Africa. Recently, she was named a “Champions Council Member” for her success, has hosted advocacy sessions with US Senators, traveled to Washington DC to meet with members of Congress, and has been recognized by the United Nations on International Youth Day for her efforts involving Nothing But Nets.
Max Prince, a senior at West Essex Regional High School and treasurer for the National Honor Society, has always had a passion for igniting change and being a leader. Since the age of thirteen, he has been fundraising for the NJ Sharing Network (NJSN), an organization responsible for the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant. Over the past five years, Max has been able to draw in hundreds of people to join his team, Max’s Mitzvah Movers, to participate in the NJ Sharing Network 5K. He has also become a certified volunteer for the organization, a member of the NJSN Cycling team, and one of their keynote speakers. Now, as a graduating senior, he has been able to raise over $70,000 for NJSN.
Thomas Salandra, a senior at James Caldwell High School and member of the West Essex First Aid Squad, has always had a desire to give back to his community. Currently, he has clocked in over eight hundred hours and has responded to over one hundred calls. He enjoyed volunteering so much while at the first aid squad that he decided to also become a volunteer firefighter. While president of the Patriot Club at his high school, he coordinated “Salute to Service Night,” an event made to recognize and honor first responders. This January, he was recognized by his football team and was awarded the Jim Robinson Caldwell Gridiron Club Award for spirit, determination, desire, and sportsmanship.
Winners of the Nancy and Robert Eskow Volunteer Award reflect the mission and values of NCJW/Essex through their commitment and dedication to community service projects and advocacy experienced during their high school careers. In recognition of their exemplary contributions, each received a $500 scholarship and an award certificate from NCJW/Essex.