Shannon C.
Dogs In Action: Shannon helped establish a canine unit for the Township of Jackson by securing approval, community support, and funding. Working with volunteers and a local construction company, custom training equipment was built, and the township now has two active canine officers supported by this equipment for years to come.
Sadie C.
More Fun in the Sun: Sadie created beach toy library boxes to encourage sharing, reduce waste, and improve beach experiences for families. Three custom-built boxes now line the beachfront, providing free access to donated toys while promoting sustainability, community connection, and cleaner beaches.
Charlotte C.
Beyond the Bare Minimum: Charlotte expanded disability awareness in the Rumson community and provided resources for teachers nationwide to educate elementary students. Charlotte partnered with a local elementary school to deliver an interactive assembly, created ongoing lesson plans, and developed a website to help educators teach disability awareness.
Giuliana D.
Bridging Gaps in Care: Access to Comfort: Giuliana created adaptive clothing, through her nonprofit G’s Giving Gowns, that helps children feel more comfortable and less like patients during medical treatment. By sewing zipper access into everyday shirts for ports and medical lines, 519 handmade garments have been distributed to children across the U.S. and internationally, restoring comfort and dignity during recovery.
Anna D.
Save Our Songbirds (S.O.S): Anna addressed the decline of songbird populations through community education, advocacy, and the creation of safe nesting options. Six bird boxes were constructed and installed at Millstone Park, where birds have already nested and fledged.
Alyssa F.
Sewing for Smiles: This project supported children undergoing cancer treatment by creating comforting pillowcases and cards to help reduce stress and anxiety during long hospital stays. A school club was established as a chapter of Ryan's Case for Smiles to organize volunteers and produce the items.
Brie H.
Preserving 9/11 Oral History for Future Generations: Brie preserved personal stories of the 9/11 attacks by conducting and collecting interviews, transcribing them, and publishing them in a publicly accessible online archive. Educational videos and presentations were also created and shared through the archive and in presentations to middle school students.
Peyton K.
It’s Not Just Black & Blue: Peyton educated high school students in Ocean and Monmouth Counties about teen dating violence through interactive school assemblies. Working with law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and school administrators, the project reached over 150 students, helping teens recognize warning signs and access support resources.
Nyla M.
Native Plant Nature Walk: Nyla developed an educational native plant trail at the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreation Area to teach visitors about the importance of native plants. The project includes labeled plants with QR codes, an online and on‑site trail map, and a virtual treasure hunt.
Julia M.
Meals That Matter: Julia addressed food insecurity by creating healthy, practical recipes using commonly donated pantry items. Partnering with the Vin Gopal Food Pantry in Red Bank, the project included community events and a website, mealsthatmatter.us, which shares recipes and tips for responsible grocery shopping.
Shriya R.
Greener Together: Shriya created an interactive environmental education initiative for kindergarten through middle school students. The project included hands‑on lesson plans and the transformation of a greenhouse at Camp Sacajawea into a living classroom where children learned sustainable practices through planting and recycled art.
Casey R.
Calm in Your Palm: Casey Reinknecht supported elementary students who struggle with focus by creating 60 sensory and fidget baskets for classrooms across two schools. The project also provided educators with usage guidelines to ensure long‑term impact, improving student focus, engagement, and classroom success.
Charlotte R.
EcoGrow: Charlotte addressed soft plastic pollution by organizing a school and community‑wide collection effort and transforming waste into eco‑bricks made from plastic bottles and wrappers. Volunteers used the eco‑bricks to build a garden bed at the high school.
Keya S.
Engaging Senior Citizens with Art: Keya improved senior mental health at the CareOne Center at Holmdel through year‑long art therapy and creative activities. By leading holiday‑themed projects and training staff and Girl Scout troops to continue the program, the project reduced loneliness, encouraged social interaction, and created a sustainable source of creative engagement for residents.
Katie W.
Water Sustainability-Rain Barrels: Katie partnered with Save Barnegat Bay to educate the community about water pollution, stormwater runoff, and water conservation in the Barnegat Bay Watershed. The project included leading educational workshops and designing a permanent rain barrel installation at the organization.
Tessa W.
Monmouth County Education: Tessa addressed the lack of local history education by creating engaging, short‑form videos that highlight the rich history of Monmouth County. Developed in collaboration with the Monmouth County Historical Association, the videos make local history more accessible.
Sarah W.
CivicStarter: Sarah created ultra‑accessible civic education resources to help young people better understand government processes, media literacy, and voting. The project includes short animated YouTube videos and a free educational website, which were distributed to history and government teachers for classroom use.
Kendra W.
A Rare Syndrome - Sturge Weber Syndrome: This Gold Award project addressed the lack of formal awareness and educational resources about Sturge‑Weber syndrome, particularly in school settings. Through a personal photo book and an educational slideshow, the project shared real experiences and clear information to increase understanding, empathy, and long‑term awareness of the condition.
