Two high school students enrolled at Highland Park High School were recognized for their extra-curricular and community volunteering activities at a special event on October 14, 2022. Zina Boraday and Kai Stevens, both juniors, were awarded community service certificates during a meeting attended by all of their classmates at the high school. Both students have demonstrated their leadership and communication skills throughout their high school and community experience.
Ms. Boraday is a member of the national honor society, a recipient of several achievement awards, and has been captain of the girls volleyball team since 2021. She coordinated two major fundraising activities with school members this year to donate relief funds through Global Giving for the crisis in Ukraine. Mr. Stevens is class president and is managing editor of the school paper “The Highland Fling.” He received awards for participating in the Rutgers Model Congress and the National High School Model United Nations. He has also participated in the Highland Park Mayor’s Teen Advisory Committee to identify activities that can facilitate teen communications and youth initiatives. The Rotary Club of Greater New Brunswick adopted last spring the community service program for honoring high school juniors in the three school districts. The event at Highland Park High School was the first in a series to be scheduled this academic year. The Student Counseling staff assisted with the planning of the event at Highland Park High School under the leadership of Elizabeth Asamoah. High School Principal Michael Lassiter hosted and greatly supported this program for the junior class. District Superintendent Kristina Nicosia congratulated the two award recipients in her closing remarks, and also praised all the juniors for their volunteering service. Sharan Jain and John Salapatas made brief presentations on club service projects in the field of literacy and education. They also participated in the award ceremony.