Contests

Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan is pleased to announce the 4th quarter recipient of his Five Star Student Award. Julia Scozzafava, an 11th grade High Honor Roll student at Pascack Valley High School in Hillsdale, was acknowledged by Clerk Hogan for her goals set towards earning her Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards for Girl Scouts (currently serving her 12th year) and her time and dedication given to shelter animals in need. Julia has "devotion and passion for helping less fortunate animals" and because of that, she has found ways to educate people within her community and raise money for shelter animals. Julia hosted bake sales, earning her enough money to purchase supplies and materials, to sew and produce pet beds - donating them to various shelters throughout Bergen County. She also hosted a "Dog Show" in Hillsdale to bring awareness to her community on the issue of overpopulated animals in shelters and through her collaboration with ‘Peace4Paws’, a few dogs were adopted that day. Julia aspires to be a veterinarian so that she can continue to change the lives of animals that need help. Clerk Hogan presented Julia with a Certificate of Recognition and a check for $500.00 from the John S. Hogan Foundation for her volunteer work for an important matter. Clerk Hogan said, “All of your efforts have demonstrated your commitment to this cause. Your acts of kindness and generosity make you a prime candidate for the Five Star Student Award. Good luck and keep up the wonderful work!”

CONGRATULATIONS Julia!

Jacqueline Garcia, from Roy W. Brown Middle School in Bergenfield, was chosen as the 3rd Quarter Recipient for Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan's FIVE STAR STUDENT AWARD. Jacqueline is not only an honor student and member of Bergenfield's Junior Police Academy, she is an inspiration to us all for her continuous selfless acts for local communities and as well as those on other continents. "We Rise By Lifting Others", is her motto and that, she does. Just a few of the accomplishments Jacqueline has achieved are: Having hosted a lemonade stand, raising $750 which she then donated to a village in Africa to restore their drinking well, so that the young girls of the village could attend school instead of fetching water for their community. She collects and recycles plastic bottles and donates the monies to the Kerala Foundation in India, so that special needs students have working sinks and toilets in their school. She collects clothing and distributes these items to people in need through the Hackensack Church. Jacqueline's great acts of kindness, generosity and community service made her a prime candidate for Hogan's Five Star Student recognition! Congratulations and keep up the fantastic work!

CONGRATULATIONS Jacqueline!

Bergen County Clerk John Hogan is proud to announce the 2nd quarter recipient of the Five Star Student Award. Franklin Praschil from Emerson High School received a certificate along with a $500 check from the John S. Hogan Foundation. Franklin was recognized for a "Memory Garden" he created. This garden started out as an Eagle Scout project and the idea was inspired by the loss of his grandmother, along with sudden, unfortunate young deaths within his community. Franklin said, "I felt the need to do something. I could not sit aside and watch people feel bad. A healing garden is something our community needs". Through various fundraising and with a tremendous help from community members willing to pitch in, Franklin was able to raise $27,000.00, to make his "little project, not so little anymore". The Record considered Franklin's achievements to be, "One of the most memorable stories of triumph"! Clerk Hogan especially admired Franklin when he said, "Through this experience I can advise others to follow their hearts, believe in themselves, and dance in the rain".

CONGRATULATIONS Franklin!

Bergen County Clerk John Hogan is proud to announce the 1st quarter recipient of the Five Star Student Award. Brendan Vann, from Fair Lawn High School, received a certificate along with a $500 check from the John S. Hogan Foundation. Brendan was recognized for a program he started called, Cleatz 4 Kidz, where he collects gently used soccer equipment and donates them to underprivileged children. Clerk Hogan cannot agree with Brendan more when he says, "these cleats represent opportunity - giving the gift of play."