AHS senior receives award for volunteer service
By: Adele Gambardella
UPPER FREEHOLD — One Allentown High School senior is an example of “what’s right about teen-agers today,” according to Rick E. Rivera, the school’s student assistance coordinator.
The student to which Mr. Rivera is referring is Bobbi Jo Wang, the recipient of this year’s Monmouth County Alliance Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.
“She is far above most students that you meet,” Mr. Rivera said. “She is a person who is always willing to help other people.”
Bobbi Jo, a resident of New Egypt, is involved in a long list of clubs including: the Octagon Club, National Honors Society, Peer Mediation, the Choices Group, and the Natural Helpers. She is the president of the AHS LifeSavers Club.
The LifeSavers Club promotes a drug-, alcohol- and smoke-free lifestyle to its peers. Students believe in creating a healthy atmosphere that is safe and fun, Bobbi Jo said.
Each member of the club must sign a healthy living “contract” that states he or she will remain free of alcohol, tobacco and any other illegal substance throughout the school year.
The LifeSavers Club takes trips, and participates in numerous activities in the elementary and middle schools in Upper Freehold, Student Assistance Coordinator Rick Rivera said.
According to the LifeSavers agreement, members will do their best to act as role models for others, showing students of various ages how to enjoy life using “natural highs” through various activities.
“I want to change the idea that if you’re drug free you’re not cool,” Bobbi Jo said. “I want to show people there are better things to talk about than who got drunk over the weekend on Monday.”
Bobbi Jo also is involved in healthy living sign-ups.
“We give up our lunch periods to get kids to sign up to be drug free,” Bobbi Jo said.
On April 11, volunteers from all of Monmouth County were honored for their philanthropy in their communities.
Bobbi Jo will attend the College of New Jersey in the fall and plans to study business and accounting.
“I’m excited because she is going on and will make a difference in the world, but we will miss her a lot here at Allentown,” Mr. Rivera said. “She is a positive and committed person, and she wants what’s best for herself and others. She is dedicated especially when she knows it is something for the betterment of her community.”