Caring Award winners Angel McCoy (Trenton), Samantha Manzano (Lawrence), Caitlyn Sweeney (Hamilton), Liana Bloom (Princeton), Scott Robb (Hamilton), Colleen McDonough (Trenton), Sarah Maher (WW-PHS South), and Simone Counts (WW-PHS North) pose on April 1, 2014.
Mercer County Professional Counselors Association honored high school students at the 28th annual Caring Awards breakfast on April 1.
Students were recognized for their deeds of respect, compassion, service to others and integrity.
Counselors from local high schools honored the students by sharing the altruistic projects they completed and presented them with an award at the breakfast ceremony at Mercer County Community College.
Foundation Collegiate Academy student Angel McCoy, of Trenton, was recognized for her selfless acts to help her community. McCoy organizes food drives for her peers who may be struggling and is a member of student government, where she has worked diligently to capture the essence that is under-appreciated in her high school.
Lawrence High School counselors acknowledged the consistency of Samantha Manzano in her compassion towards others. Along with her work at Safety Town, tutoring and Operation Smile, Manzano is known as the friendly face and caring shoulder for not only her peers, but the entire high school community.
Notre Dame High School student Caitlyn Sweeney, of Hamilton, was honored for countless hours of service and the diversity of programs that she participates in and helps coordinate. She helped plan trips and events for her fellow classmates with organizations such as, Visitation Home, Little Kids College and Special Olympics.
A Nottingham High School counselor presented Scott Robb with the Caring Breakfast nomination because of his involvement with the Urban Teacher Academy, his determination to raise money for Pediatric Care Research and his involvement as President of Outreach for the Stars where he is infamous for his meticulous and enthusiastic organization of their clothing drive.
As president of the True Blue Service Club, Princeton High School counselors found Liana Bloom the obvious choice when recognizing a student for kindness and compassion. Bloom also puts together their Week of Respect, organizes fundraisers, is a Peer Leader, and always jumps in when someone needs a hand.
Trenton Catholic Academy honored Trenton resident Colleen McDonough. She is the president of her senior class and an advocate for her fellow students. McDonough also prepared a fundraiser to raise money for the flood victims in the Philippines and coordinated a Pennies for Patients drive.
West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North chose to distinguish Peer Leader Simone Counts. On top of her work with Peer Leaders, she is on the HiTops Teen Counsel, works with Kids for Kids, and is significantly involved in her church.
Sarah Maher was West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South’s honoree. Her involvement in school extends beyond the golf team and Guidance Aid, where she has fallen into step with the counselors and has helped out with events as big as their college fair. After going through her own struggles, she always bounces back with a smile on her face and a helping hand.
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