A senior was among recipients of an annual award given to Monmouth County students who exemplify a spirit of giving.
Nik Duritza was among more than 30 high schoolers who received the 2012 Caring Award at a ceremony at Brookdale Community College, Middletown, on Friday.
Duritza, to raise money for charity, was honored for his commitment to "Project Snowflake," the Wall High School program that provides gift cards to needy families at Christmastime.
Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Caring Award is given annually to one student from each of the county’s participating high schools by the Monmouth County Guidance Director Association to honor the commitment of students who go the extra mile to help and support their communities.
"We wanted to showcase the good things that go on in our schools in Monmouth County,'' said Patrick Leary, a counselor from Allentown High School and head of the county association.
The award has been given out for more than a decade. Each school is also given a $100 scholarship, and those students who attend the event were also entered into a drawing to win one of five $750 scholarships given away.
Find out what's happening in Wallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
One honoree from each participating high school is recommended by the school’s guidance counselor each year. Nominees are also required to submit a short video explaining their activities.
"We have some kids who traveled to Haiti or to Africa to build homes to teach English. They've done blood drives, raised money for cancer reasearch or Autism awareness,'' Leary said. "The array of what the kids are involved with is just amazing.''
The following is a list of this year’s winners of the 2012 Caring Award and, where available, links to their submission videos:
Asbury Park High School: Sari Wyckoff
Biotechnology High School: Katherine Rittenbach Video
Christian Brothers Academy: Michael McCarthy, Video
Colts Neck High School: Karen Torres-Soto, Video
Communications High School: Mary Badger, Video
Freehold Borough High School: Brandon Wesley, Video
Freehold Township High School: Kristen Stephenson, Video
Raritan High School: Jennifer Delre, Video
Henry Hudson High School: Maureen McBurnie, Video
High Tech High School: Melanie Chen & Andrea D'Souza,Video
Holmdel High School: Samira Anifowoshe, Video
Howell High School: Evan LaGuardia, Video
Keansburg High School: Katherine Crowe, Video
Keyport High School: Casey Fisher, Video
Manalapan High School: Marisa Cabral, Video
Manasquan High School: Madalyn Higgins, Video
Marlboro High School: Elif Anda, Video
Marine Academy of Science and Technology: Elizabeth McCormack, Video
Matawan Regional High School: Not participating
Mater Dei Prep: Not participating
Middletown North High School: Brittany MacDonald, Video
Middletown South High School: Paige Sessock, Video
Monique Gamboa Academy Charter: Not participating
Monmouth Regional High School: Plair Gennarelli, Video
Neptune High School: Tiara Anderson, Video
Ocean Township High School: Erin O’Gorman, Video
Red Bank Catholic High School: Meghan O'Malley, Video
Red Bank Regional High School: Chloe Johnson, Video
Rumson-Fair Haven High School: Elise Keale, Video
Shore Regional High School: Benjamin Hall, Video
St. John Vianney High School: Hayley Markovich, Video
St. Rose High School: Victoria Brown, Video
Wall Township High School: Nikolas Duritza, Video
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.