James Caldwell HS Student Uses Her Heart Condition To Help Others – Caldwells, NJ Patch

CALDWELLS, NJ — A student at James Caldwell High School was among three Essex County seniors recently honored for “outstanding contributions” to their community.

As part of their annual Nancy and Robert Eskow NCJW Volunteer Awards, the National Council of Jewish Women, Essex County Section (NCJW/Essex) paid tribute to three local students, including Giulia Russo, a senior at James Caldwell High School in West Caldwell.

The NCJW/Essex provided the following background information about Russo:

“Giulia Russo, a senior attending James Caldwell High School, was 12 years old when she was informed that she had a large hole (atrial septal defect) in her heart that only open heart surgery could fix. Although this information would change Russo’s life forever, the positive path she followed stands out. She became involved with the Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) Coalition and has led a journal drive for the past 5 years to distribute journals to patients during treatment.”

In addition to Russo, two other outstanding students from Essex County earned 2019 awards. In recognition of their exemplary contributions, the three students each received a $500 scholarship and an award certificate from NCJW/Essex.

MARK CURTIS

Mark Curtis, a senior at Orange High School, began volunteering with the non-profit organization Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team (ADAPT), where he was able to expand his knowledge about substance abuse in order to help his community.

“To make a community-level change, we must involve the community in our efforts,” Curtis said. “Once we do this, the room for growth is endless.”

To honor his efforts to prevent substance abuse, Curtis was presented with several awards and was selected as the sole United States Delegate at the United Nations Youth Forum.

ALLISON KOFSKY

Allison Kofsky, a senior attending Columbia High School, was 15 when she started her own district program called “Playground Pals” to aid and spread awareness of children impacted by Selective Mutism (SM). The inspiration behind this program was generated from her younger cousin’s experience battling SM, a rare childhood anxiety disorder that hinders people’s ability to vocalize in various settings.

“Playground Pals assists children struggling with Selective Mutism with feeling included and less isolated during their lunch and recess periods,” Kofsky said. “It quite literally, provides a voice to the voiceless.”

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