Newark High School Senior Jeff Hernandez is this year’s Newark Central School District recipient of the Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES Superintendent Award for student leaders throughout its 25 component districts.
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Hernandez received the award at a reception March 6th at the WFL BOCES Conference Center in Newark he attended with his mother Emiliana Castillo and sister, Yessemili Hernandez, Newark High School Principal Kelly A. Zielke, Superintendent Susan Hasenauer and Board of Education member Russ Harris.
Hasenauer nominated Hernandez for the award.
In order to qualify for the award, recipients needed to:
• Have a GPA of 80 or higher at the end of their junior year.
• Demonstrate qualities and characteristics expected of
someone in a leadership role including honesty, compassion, perseverance, responsibility, kindness, resiliency and industriousness.
• Consistently place others' needs before their own as exemplified by their service to school, family, community or others.
Hernandez, whose GPA is 91.77 has been: a Link Crew member at NHS for two years, a member of PiRi, a restorative practices group for two years; has played soccer all of his life, including playing Varsity Boys soccer this year and has been a member of travel teams for several years; is a member of Spanish Honor Society; was a member of Varsity Club last year; and played the role of Pepper in the Newark High School Drama Club’s recent production of the musical comedy “Mamma Mia.”
Hernandez who wants to major in sports psychology and minor in sports science and photography in college, has not yet decided where he will attend college in the fall.
“Jeff is a student who has a strong faith and belief in in his future,” Hasenauer said. “Taking life in, he is smart, athletic, kind and caring. Jeff always has a smile on his face and brightens the day of others. He is a leader amongst his peers and there is no doubt in my mind that regardless of what life throws him, he will be successful due to his unwavering drive and his ability to be an unbelievable human. The way he lives his life makes him an ideal candidate for this award.”
“This is an amazing event with 26 amazing seniors from around the region, as each school district’s Superintendent recognized one student, and I was delighted to be present for the recognition of Jeff as the honoree from Newark for this year’s award. He truly represents our Pride characteristics and leadership and was the perfect choice for the Superintendent,” Zielke said. “I have every confidence that Jeff will continue to be a leader and a wonderful example for our Newark community as he moves on to his next chapter after graduation. I am happy to know him and wish him congratulations again on this recognition!”
“I am grateful to receive this award and for Superintendent Hasenauer nominating me for it. I’m thankful for all the support from Superintendent Hasenauer through all of my accomplishments since we have met. I'm also grateful for the help I’ve received from Principal Zielke since she has been at Newark High School,” Hernandez said. “I’m hoping my receiving this award will be motivating to other students who can strive to receive other awards.”