Livingston Teen Named 'Unsung Hero,' Says 'A Small Action Can Go A Long Way'

LIVINGSTON, NJ — A program to recognize students that may be "overlooked" for traditional awards — and who overcome challenges and help others — recently honored a Livingston High School student who plans activities for kids with disabilities.

LHS Senior Nikki Heifler was chosen by the Livingston schools to be their "Unsung Hero" nominee to the Essex County School Boards Association's Unsung Heroes program.

A video notes that Heifler is involved in several volunteer groups. "She is not the type of student, type of person who seeks a lot of recognition for it," says school guidance counselor Amy Kessler. "But she has a really big impact behind the scenes. She's also just generally kind, really humble, and a great member of our high school community."

On Wednesdays, Heifler heads to the Livingston Advisory Committee on Disabilities' Monmouth Court Community Center to play with children with special needs. She said that on Mondays, she and her sisters plan arts and crafts for the group.

"Their smiles are so wide as soon as I walk in," she said.

She also has a leadership position with the school's Key Club.

Parents Inspired Her

She said her parents inspired her to help others. "They've always told me to give and never expect anything in return," she said.

In fact, she says, she was inspired by her father, a doctor, to major in psychology at the University of Richmond next year on a pre-med track.

She said that during the pandemic, "He helped his patients no matter what. He was out there risking his life to help others."

During the pandemic, she and her sisters created masks for chemotherapy patients.

The Livingston Board of Education honored Heifler her during last Tuesday's meeting.

"A small, little action can go a long way," Heifler said. The video is here.

Last year, the school's Unsung Hero was Owen Abeles, who lost a family member to COVID and helped others by getting them a vaccine appointment. READ MORE: He Gave Back While Grieving: Livingston Teen Honored As 'Unsung Hero'