RVCC Students Receive National Honors with United States President’s Volunteer Service Award

April is 2024 Global Volunteer Month, a time to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle important social challenges and build more vibrant communities.

In recognition of this, the Pray Family Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement at Raritan Valley Community College is highlighting 21 accomplished student leaders who are being honored with the United States President’s Volunteer Service Award for their extraordinary service.

To date, the students have contributed over 5,000 hours of total service, donating the economic equivalent of more than $125,000 within a year to local and national organizations, as well as campus engagement programs and initiatives.

The following RVCC students are being honored:

• Dylan Abry, Piscataway – Somerset Regional Animal Shelter – Gold Award

• Melissa Armenta-Quiroz, Flemington – Main Engine Start Nonprofit – Bronze Award

• Nahary Boraei, Flemington – Flemington Raritan First Aid Rescue Squad – Bronze Award

• Rachel Clerkin, Hillsborough – All Day Learning Centers – Gold Award

• Isabella Dorsogna, Somerset – The Learning Experience at Somerset – Bronze Award

• Sandra Faragalla, Neshanic Station – Martin Luther King Youth Center; EngageNJ Regional Nonprofit; RVCC Resource Center and Food Pantry – Bronze Award

• Nicholas Gallo, Ringoes – RVCC RVotes Matter Campaign; ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge National Nonprofit; EngageNJ Regional Nonprofit – Silver Award

• Michael Gaspar, Raritan – Bradley Gardens Rescue Squad – Gold Award

• Garret Gerow, Bridgewater – RVCC Student Government Association; EngageNJ Regional Nonprofit – Silver Award

• Sarah Haas, Port Murray – Hillsborough YMCA; Community and Campus Activities for food security and Project Cat Watch – Bronze Award

• Ahmad Insanally, Somerville – National Engineering Training Video on Wind Tunnel Design and Lathe Restoration – Gold Award

• Damian Juth, Bernardsville – Bernardsville Fire Company and First Aid Squad – Gold Award

• Edward Morales, Somerset – RVCC Resource Center and Food Pantry – Bronze Award

• Kiara Pereira, Bernardsville – Math and Reading Learning Centers – Bronze Award

• Damaris Ramos Pineda, Piscataway – Children’s Campus Preschool and Childcare Center at RVCC – Silver Award

• Kambiz Roghanchi, South Orange – Adult Day Center of Somerset County; Myositis Support and Understanding National Nonprofit – Gold Award

• Emily Rosalli, Branchburg – Emergency Medical Services of Flemington – Bronze Award

• Joshua Rutka, Branchburg – Somerville High School Robotics Team – Gold Award

• Jack Ryan, Bound Brook – Bound Brook Robotics Team 56 – Silver Award

• Lila Seroy, Whitehouse Station – Hunterdon County Chamber of Commerce – Bronze Award

• Elena Waddleton, Annandale – Safe and Sound of Somerset, NJ; RVCC Nota Bene Student Recognition; RVCC Project Cat Watch – Bronze Award

The President's Volunteer Service Award is a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States. Originally established by executive order from George W. Bush, the award honors volunteers who give hundreds of hours per year helping others. It is a premier volunteer award, encouraging citizens to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition, honoring them for looking around, being inspired, and taking positive action that changes the world.

Depending on the amount of service hours completed, individuals can receive the Bronze, Silver, or Gold award. Bronze is 100+ hours, Silver is 175+ hours, and Gold is 250+ hours. Honorees receive a personalized certificate signed by the President of the United States, a letter from the President, and a medallion.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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