Star Teacher
MEGAN BILELLO
MEDFORD
Bilello was one of six recipients of the 2019 Educational Staffing Service Impact Award. Biello started as an active parent at Chairville Elementary before she was presented a job opportunity as a support services assistant in 2011. She currently assists two second grade teachers in a supported classroom with students who deal with various emotional and academic needs. Bilello received a $500 cash prize and an additional $500 to donate to her school of choice—Chairville Elementary. —Kaitlyn Boylan
Star Athletes
JEWEL AND JAILYA ASH
VOORHEES
The Ash sisters are determined to make the most of their final year together on the Eastern Regional High School girls track team, and it showed at the indoor state championships. Jewel, a senior, won the Group IV state title in the 400-meter dash with a time of 47.89 seconds. Not to be undone, Jailya, a junior, brought home the state crown in the 55-meter hurdles with a time of 8.08 seconds. Jewel also placed fourth in the 55 hurdles and sixth in the 55-meter dash. Jailya went on to win the 55 hurdles at the Meet of Champions as well, and both sisters are poised for big seasons in outdoor track this spring.
Star Student
ADONELLA DEMPSEY
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
Dempsey, a third- grader at Wedgwood Elementary, asked her class to make treat bags to donate to Unforgotten Haven, a local nonprofit organization that distributes them to cancer patients. Dempsey was inspired to get her classmates’ participation after handing out similar treat bags while her mother underwent chemotherapy treatment. Together, the class made 200 bags and a handmade card for each. —K.B.
Star Team
LIGHTNING CHEER TEAM
MOUNT LAUREL
Members of the competitive level two Lightning cheer team from Mount Laurel Cheer Association competed last month at The Quest Recreational Championship in Disney World. The event is one of the most prestigious for recreation cheerleading teams in the country and participation is by invitation only. —K.B.
Star Student
ELLIOT RYAN
HADDONFIELD
A senior at Haddonfield Memorial High School (HMHS), Ryan received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards program. He was nominated by HMHS in recognition of his volunteer efforts which include serving as a peer mentor at the high school, as a Teen Advisory Board Member for the town’s library and as a mentor and tutor with Kids Alley for many years. —K.B.
Star Citizen
BARBARA GLASS
SEWELL
A volunteer at Samaritan Healthcare & Hospice, Glass was honored with the ninth annual Volunteer of the Year Award for her efforts with Samaritan. A volunteer since 2011, Glass also served as a vigil volunteer, spending time with patients during their final hours in addition to comforting their families. Given by the Volunteer Center of South Jersey, the award is one of the most prestigious nonprofit awards in the South Jersey community. —Mohammed Fuad
Star Citizen
MARC GOLDSTEIN
CHERRY HILL
Goldstein was a recent recipient of the Camden County Freedom Medal— awarded by the Camden County Freeholders—for the work he does with his nonprofit, Computer-Smiles. Goldstein spends his retirement refurbishing old computers and donating them to unprivileged students who otherwise couldn’t afford them, along with internet access. To date, 260 units have been refurbished with a goal to get 1,000 into the hands of those in need. —K.B.
Star Student
GEORGE BISIRRI
HADDONFIELD
Bisirri, an eighth-grader at Haddonfield Middle School, came out on top in the 2020 National Geographic Geography Bee. He beat out 600 sixth, seventh and eighth graders in the preliminary and 32 students in the championship round. Bisirri now qualifies f or the New Jersey State Championship. If Bisirri emerges victorious he will make his way to Washington, D.C., for the national championship. —K.B.
Star Citizen
AMANDA BAUSCHER
MOUNT LAUREL
Bauscher has turned her passion for art into a way to raise money and awareness for the sick and injured marsupials who were victims of Australia’s devastating bushfires. She has been creating 3.5-by-5-inch watercolor paintings of koalas and selling them for $40 each with all of the profits going to the Koala Hospital. Bauscher encourages people to realize they can make a difference even with the smallest donation. —K.B.
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 1 (March 2020).
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