Contests

Ashley Schwartz, a junior at Pascack Hills High School, is the proud recipient of the Five Star Student Award for May 2025. In 2023, Ashley founded and became president of the Make Our School Safe Club (MOSS). MOSS is the first student-led club in New Jersey focused solely on school safety. One of the group's first projects was a color-coded hallway system designed to assist first responders during emergencies. Ashley has worked closely with local law enforcement to launch initiatives like Bronco Buddies, a mentorship program for middle school students developed alongside the DARE/LEAD drug prevention programs to support incoming high school students and foster a stronger sense of community. Additionally, Ashley served as Junior Fire Chief with the Woodcliff Lake Volunteer Fire Department. She is a member of the Youth Advisory Board of NJ4S (New Jersey Statewide Student Support Services), where she advocates for initiatives that promote student mental health. In this role, she has successfully raised awareness and implemented impactful programs at her school. Through fundraising, grants, and donations, Ashley completed her recent project aimed at enhancing physical safety in the school, resulting in the installation of branded privacy film on the windows of the school cafeteria. Ashley is characterized as the kind of student who gives back. She is often recognized as a student who contributes to her community without needing to be asked.

CONGRATULATIONS Ashley!

Congratulations to Ezra Fineman, a sophomore at Fair Lawn High School on being selected as the December Five Star Student Award Winner. Ezra exemplifies extraordinary perseverance in overcoming challenges that he faced as a young child dealing with hyper IgM syndrome. Individuals with HIGM are susceptible to recurrent and severe infections. For the first five years of his life, Ezra lived in isolation. He endured 2 bone marrow transplants and several medical setbacks but is now a healthy teenager. He is actively engaged with various organizations. One is The Gift of Life Marrow Registry, where he was the Master of Ceremonies at their annual gala in New York City this past June. Ezra has been volunteering as an advocate for the NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program) for many years. He has met with Senator Cory Booker and Congressman Josh Gottheimer to advocate for a proposed act that will provide donors with job-protected leave and funding for NMDP. Ezra is also working with the Hyper IgM Foundation as an intern where he is developing a podcast series that highlights young patients with Hyper IgM Syndrome to support their efforts at finding a cure for this terrible disease. He interviews other kids and teenagers around the world to present their voices and perspectives. In addition, Ezra was the Freshman Class Council President and he is currently the Sophomore Class Council President and a member of the Student Government Association Executive Committee for Fair Lawn High School.

CONGRATULATIONS Ezra!

Tiffany Chen, a junior at Ridgefield Park High School, has been selected as the recipient of the Five Star Student Award for May. Known for her unwavering dedication to assisting others, Tiffany goes above and beyond expectations with a cheerful attitude. In less than a year, she has facilitated over 40 volunteer opportunities for students through Key Club. Under her guidance, the Ridgefield Park Key Club has earned prestigious awards such as the Distinguished Diamond Club Award, while Tiffany herself was recognized as the Distinguished Club Officer for her commitment to community service. Last year, she played a pivotal role in fulfilling a 50-year aspiration of the Environmental Commission in Ridgefield Park by opening a nature preserve. Additionally, Tiffany is an active member of Sustainable Ridgefield Park, contributing to their “Swap and Shop” initiative aimed at reducing waste. She has generously donated over $400 to UNICEF and initiated service projects for children, including writing letters to hospitalized kids and participating in the Angel Tree Program. Tiffany also founded a “CoderDojo” to offer free coding classes to children aged 5-11. During her sophomore year, she volunteered more than 75 hours at Holy Name Hospital, and in her junior year, she joined the Teaneck Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Without her exceptional leadership and coordination skills, numerous community events in Ridgefield Park would not have been possible.

CONGRATULATIONS Tiffany!

Our "My County" poster contest takes place every April during County Government Week. It's open to all 4th grade students throughout Bergen County. Details are sent to each school's Principal in February. For more information call (201) 336-7051.

The First, Second and Third Place winners, as well as Honorable Mentions, are selected by the contests sponsors, Bergen County's Constitutional Officers (County Clerk, Sheriff and Surrogate Court Judge). All twenty winners, along with their families and teachers, are invited to take part in Bergen County's annual "Law Day" Ceremony held in May at the Bergen County Justice Center (Courthouse).

And why not show your support for the winners? Send an email to request a calendar featuring the winning posters.