He Gave Back While Grieving: Livingston Teen Honored As 'Unsung Hero'

LIVINGSTON, NJ — Livingston High School senior Owen Abeles was recognized by the Livingston Board of Education on Tuesday night for being the recipient of the Essex County School Boards Association "Unsung Hero" Award.

Senior Owen Abeles was nominated for the award by his school counselor Kathleen Guzman, who said Owen is "a bright, kind, inclusive, respectful and responsible young man."

Guzman explained why Owen was nominated.

"Owen is a well-rounded student that spends his time giving back and getting involved," she said. "During the pandemic Owen lost a family member due to COVID. Though he was grieving, he wanted to help out the community and turn a difficult situation into a historical memory by finding a vaccination clinic and jumping in to volunteer and get vaccines out as quickly as possible."

She added, "His mother, who is in the healthcare system, saw first hand how hospitals were inundated and how quickly this virus was spreading. Owen used this experience as fuel by volunteering for several hours each week during the height of the pandemic organizing, cleaning, and working the security to maintain order."

Each year, the Essex County School Boards Association recognizes “Unsung Heroes” from each of the high schools in the county. The awards recognize students “who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities, but who may be overlooked under traditional student recognition guidelines," said the district. "Honorees may have overcome academic or personal challenges, modeled good citizenship, or shown a spirit or quiet strength that inspires others.”

Abeles has helped thousands of Essex County residents, school staff said, "and his work will forever be appreciated by the community. This experience has given him a new appreciation for the medical industry which he hopes to pursue himself one day."

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