Five Towns students earn Lawrence Association's Good Citizen awards

A half dozen students from schools in the Five Towns were recipients of the Lawrence Association’s annual Good Citizens awards that are given to high school juniors and seniors living in Lawrence that have displayed a commitment to American ideals and community service. Each received an inscribed plaque delivered to their home by then Lawrence Civic Association President Paris Popack, who is now a village trustee.

Shanniek Francis, now a Lawrence High School senior, is considered a diligent student of fine character, who has volunteered at Mona Prep Day Care, Inc. for summer camps, helped students in after-school programs with schoolwork and counseling needs, and chaperoned students on trips at Mona Prep Day Care.

Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School senior Benjamin Gettenberg earned his award as a junior serving as a leader on several academic teams, including College Bowl, Torah Bowl and Chess Club, and took part in HAFTR’s unique Beit Midrash learning program and performed community with Tomchei Shabbos.

Considered gifted with a most unusual and giving personality, Davis Renov Stahler Yeshiva High School for Boys graduate Danny Srulowitz spent his senior year involved in fundraising, tutoring, and serving as a senior chizuk (strength and inspiration) adviser and in any other capacity needed.

The junior year editor-in-chief of Stella K. Abraham High School for Girl’s Parsha Weekly, now senior Sara Stein is said to be sensitive to others, as well as an advocate for those unable to speak for themselves. She has worked with individuals with special needs and maintains contact with some of the developmentally disabled adults she met on a grade level trip.

Bailey Weiss, now a senior at Shulamith High School for Girls, is a described as a student who exceeds the required chesed hours (acts of kindness). She is a Friendship Circle volunteer, consistently the first student to offer to help others and a major asset to the director of Student Activities. Said to possess a sweet disposition that matches her consistent effort in helping those around her.

Rambam Mesivta High School has much to proud of as Binyamin Werner is said to represent  all that is fine and good in a Rambam Mesivta student and epitomizes what it means to be a good citizen. Coordinating the school’s early morning learning program, he is a top student, a basketball star and creative force; always asking, “How can I help?”