SAYREVILLE – A Sayreville student has been recognized by the Board of Education for her work in assisting those affected by Hurricane Harvey.
Caitlyn Hochron, a senior at Sayreville War Memorial High School, received a resolution in her honor from the board at an Oct. 17 meeting after participating in a charity drive for Texas residents after the state was afflicted by the storm in August. The drive, organized by the Sayreville-based Bridges of Peace in September, collected donations in a tractor trailer and provided them to a food bank in Texas.
According to board member Michael Macagnone, Caitlyn contacted borough officials to help with the donation drive.
“All I had to do was tell her what needed to be done and she literally took the ball and ran with it,” Macagnone said. “She had Google Docs spreadsheets with schedules for students to work at the trailer to pick up supplies, from people delivering [them] to sorting them out, she made sure every shift was full, she contacted [a person from] Bridges of Peace and that person contacted me and said she’s absolutely awesome. I was very impressed after meeting with her and talking to her.”
Caitlyn, according to Macagnone, is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Math Honor Society, the National Spanish Honor Society and a captain of the high school’s cheerleading squad. She has applied to Brown University, which she plans to attend after graduation.
“There’s no doubt that she had the tool set to be successful and get accepted to an Ivy League school,” Macagnone said.
Board President Kevin Ciak, who also serves as the president of the National School Boards Association, thanked Caitlyn for her work.
“Thank you very much on the behalf of the Board of Education for your efforts,” Ciak said. “You’ve done a great job. I hear firsthand from school board members across the country that have been affected in Florida, in Houston and also in the Virgin Islands about the traumatic effects that have occurred. The efforts that you’ve undertaken on behalf of Sayreville not only are great for those regions, but also shows that Sayreville gives back to those who helped support us when we were in need during Hurricane Sandy.”
In addition to the resolution, Caitlyn was also presented with a thank you card from an elementary school in Texas, whose students voiced their gratitude for the donated items.