A senior was among recipients of an annual award given to Monmouth County students who exemplify a spirit of giving.
Nik Duritza was among more than 30 high schoolers who received the 2012 Caring Award at a ceremony at Brookdale Community College, Middletown, on Friday.
Duritza, to raise money for charity, was honored for his commitment to "Project Snowflake," the Wall High School program that provides gift cards to needy families at Christmastime.
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The Caring Award is given annually to one student from each of the county’s participating high schools by the Monmouth County Guidance Director Association to honor the commitment of students who go the extra mile to help and support their communities.
"We wanted to showcase the good things that go on in our schools in Monmouth County,'' said Patrick Leary, a counselor from Allentown High School and head of the county association.
The award has been given out for more than a decade. Each school is also given a $100 scholarship, and those students who attend the event were also entered into a drawing to win one of five $750 scholarships given away.
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One honoree from each participating high school is recommended by the school’s guidance counselor each year. Nominees are also required to submit a short video explaining their activities.
"We have some kids who traveled to Haiti or to Africa to build homes to teach English. They've done blood drives, raised money for cancer reasearch or Autism awareness,'' Leary said. "The array of what the kids are involved with is just amazing.''
The following is a list of this year’s winners of the 2012 Caring Award and, where available, links to their submission videos:
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