NORTH BRUNSWICK — Several students were recognized for their contributions to the community during the Township Council meeting on Jan. 11.
The Linwood Middle School SLICE Club, or Student Leaders Improving Character Education, was recognized for its empowerment and reinforcement of core ethical values.
Over 150 students meet for two hours every Friday to assess community needs and discuss service projects, such as creating a butterfly garden, making an American flag out of handprints, delivering holiday cards to the pediatric oncology unit at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, volunteering at the Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen in New Brunswick, and beautifying the middle school.
For 2010, the group’s goals are to develop a bullying-prevention program, create a fifth-grade transition program led by middle school students, recognize Violence Awareness Month, donate food during the “Souperbowl,” and spread awareness of the Great American Smokeout and Kick Butts Week.
Under the direction of health educator Marjorie Spangler, the seven board members of SLICE have attended the Willow Tree Teen Institute, which fosters development of leadership and advocacy skills, and the students said they learned about expressing and loving themselves, how to strengthen drug and alcohol resistance, and how to appreciate what they have.
The January Scholar Athlete Artist award recipients are Bradford Pastrick and Gabrielle DiLalla.
Pastrick is an honor roll student at North Brunswick Township High School.
In 2008 as a junior he played All Division and All Greater Middlesex County (GMC) football, was 3rd Team All Area Defense, and part of the New Jersey Super 100.
In 2009 he was Pre-Season All-GMC, Pre-Season All-Area, Fall Athlete of the Year, All-Division and All-GMC Football, 2nd Team All-Area Defense, and part of the New Jersey Super 100.
He also received the 2009 Coaches Recognition as an Outstanding Athlete award for football.
In addition, Pastrick made 2nd Team All- GMC 2009 lacrosse, receiving Honorable Mention All-State.
Pastrick had been a volunteer assistant coach for Pop Warner in 2006 and 2007, a volunteer coach and referee for NFL flag football and a volunteer coach for NFL Flag Buddy Ball.
He also volunteered with the North Brunswick Buddy Ball basketball program for children with special needs for five years, volunteered for one season for the township recreation lacrosse program, and along with other members of the football team he placed flags on the graves of veterans at Van Liew Cemetery the past three Memorial Days.
DiLalla is an honor roll student at North Brunswick Township High School with a 3.7 grade point average.
She is a member of DECA (a marketing club for high school students), the Italian Club and the National Honor Society, and is part of the executive board for the Student Government Organization.
She was captain of the soccer team at Linwood Middle School and played varsity soccer at the high school for three years. She also was captain of the lacrosse team at Linwood and played varsity lacrosse for three years at the high school, being named the best defensive player for two years in a row by her teammates, and receiving honorable mention as an All-Middlesex County defender.
She has volunteered with Buddy Ball soccer and collected $12,000 worth of gift cards and clothing to benefit victims of a fire in town.
DiLalla has also been named the homecoming queen and the Columbus Day queen.
In addition, Frank Georgianna and Russ Calabro Sr. were recognized for more than 50 years of service with the North Brunswick First Aid & Rescue Squad.
Contact Jennifer Amato at