Lawrence's Citizen of the Year Awards Recognizes Residents For Community Service

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – During the council meeting held last week, the officials presented the Citizen of the Year awards to residents and groups who performed outstanding leadership and volunteer service in the community.

Youth Award

And among the winners was Camila Nicole Martinez, a sixth grader, who received the township’s youth award. Martinez was among four nominees.

Despite her age, Matinez has made a remarkable impact through her volunteer work. From supporting Lawrence residents struggling with homelessness and food insecurity and equity, Martinez has been involved in multiple volunteer projects for several years.

She is also a member of the Social Justice Club at LIS, Lawrence Neighbors Together Youth Advisory Group, and an active volunteer with the Latino Spirit organization.

During the pandemic, Martinez volunteered at the New Beginnings Food Pantry, helping to pack food, sort and stock shelves. "Camila's dedication and compassion have been an inspiration to us all, and we are proud to recognize her with this award,” the township said.

“She is truly an exceptional young woman, and we look forward to seeing all the great things she will accomplish in the future.”

Leadership Award

The Leadership Award went to Annette Loveless, an environmental leader in the township, who also serves as Chair of the Environmental Committee. Loveless has led the Environmental Committee since 2019, and organized various events and projects around town including Community Day and stream and lake cleanups.

Loveless also independently reviews the Planning Board's plans and applications, and presents her findings to the committee for education, consideration, and comment. People who have worked closely with Annette attest that her leadership style is welcoming and inclusive, the township said.

“She’s everywhere. She just gives back to the community,” said Mayor John Ryan.

Loveless dedicated her award to her late father, Nicholas Loveless who was involved in Lawrence Township.

Loveless Lifetime Achievement Award

Former mayor of Lawrence Township and Mercer County Freeholder for six terms, Pasquale A. “Pat” Colavita, Jr., received the township’s lifetime achievement award. Colavita died in September last year at the age of 77. Colavita’s wife, brother, and son accepted the award on his behalf.

A lifelong Lawrenceville resident, Colavita first ran for public office in 1984 when he was elected to the Lawrence Board of Education. He then went on to become the mayor of the township. He was elected to the Mercer County Board of Commissioners in 2004 and served six terms until his retirement in 2020.

Colavita spent almost four decades as a speech-language pathologist for the Hamilton Township Board of Education and volunteered at various local organizations and served on several boards, including the Greater Trenton YMCA and New Jersey Junior Achievement.

"That was a man I deeply admired. Someone who embraced the spirit of volunteerism and leadership. Any town would be proud to have Pat, but we were the lucky ones,” Councilman Jim Kownacki said.

Small Group Award

The Patriotic Committee received the 2023 Small Group Award for tirelessly promoting patriotism in the community. The group is made up of veterans and residents who meet once a month with the Lawrence Recreation Department to discuss and assist in the planning of patriotic events in the Township.

They aim to create awareness for residents to remember and honor members of the armed forces of the United States.

Large Group Award

The Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association received this year’s Large Group Award for serving the youth of Lawrenceville since 1957. The club serves about 600 youth in the community and provides a relaxed environment and fun approach to soccer. They teach basic soccer skills to youth, and instill in them the values of teamwork, sportsmanship and fair play. Through their efforts, the Lawrence Hamnett Soccer Association has helped promote youth soccer in Lawrenceville and foster a love for the game among its members, the township said.

Art, Culture, Diversity Award

This year’s Art, Culture, Diversity Award went to the Lawrenceville Mainstreet and the Lawrence Township Education Foundation.

Both groups organize the annual Spring for the Arts event. For several years, the non-profit organizations have been working together to provide a fun community event with many vendors, small businesses, and performance opportunities for LTPS music students, performing artists, and professional musicians. The event is mainly run through volunteers and has over 100 vendors selling items up and down Craven Lane and by Weeden Park. Today, the Spring for the Arts event has become a tradition in the community.

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