8th-Grader a Leader Among Her Peers

student Erin Sanzone is a leader, and now she has an award to prove it.

Sanzone, an eighth-grader, was presented the Morris County Superintendent's Leadership Award during a special dinner amongst about 40 other eighth-graders from across the county on May 1. Robert R. Lazar School Principal Sharon Carr said she was not at all surprised by Sanzone's recognition.

"Erin Sanzone is just absolutely the epitome of that award. She's just a wonderful, wonderful young woman," she said.

Carr said the school has had recipients in prior years and that the award is given to a student who exemplifies leadership, integrity and several other values.

"It's really just overall citizenship, leadership, scholarship, it's integrity, it's character- it's just a wonderful leadership award," Carr said.

Sanzone exemplifies these qualities in her every day activities, Carr said. In addition to being a Student Council member, Carr said Sanzone volunteers for Peer-to-Peer, is involved in track and plays tennis, won a VFW essay contest, was previously a "Student of the Month" and is a mentor for the Pathways program, in which students mentor other students with learning disabilities.

"It is probably one of the most heartwarming programs that our students can be involved in," Carr said.

Additionally, Sanzone is a member of the school's Wellness Committee, which helped develop a new design for the cafeteria menus which promotes health and wellness.

Sanzone was nominated for the award by Mark Winters, a social studies teacher at the school, who joined Sanzone's family members, Carr and Superintendent Dr. Paul Fried at a dinner honoring this year's award recipients. Sanzone said she was proud to learn she would be receiving the award.

"I really wasn't expecting it at all," she said. "I've never heard of the award and I was really happy when I got it."

When asked what makes her a leader, Sanzone said she likes to motivate others.

"In group projects, I like to take charge. I like to have control and make sure everything's done properly," she said.

Sanzone's mother, Kyle Sanzone, said her daughter is also a leader at home to her younger brother, Andrew, 8, by doing chores without having to be asked.

"She is so self-disciplined, she works really hard, she never complains," she said. "She has her own regimen. On top of playing tennis and on top of playing track, she helps out at home."

She also spends time with her dad, John, and older sister, Kaitlin, 16.

Carr said she sees a bright future ahead for Sanzone and that "she just shines."

"She wants to be a doctor," she said. "I did the arithmetic and if she gets out of medical school on time, she can take care of me."