Hygiene Project and PTPI - Class of 2020 Graduation

Hygiene Project and PTPI hail 5 Secaucus High Schoolers For Their Deeds to Community.

The pandemic-era demands that life goes on as normal. And the new normal dictates that no achievement or service goes unlauded, especially deeds culminating from four years of labor and love.

As New Jersey schools staged virtual graduations in the final weeks of June, NJ Students in Action group - Secaucus Cares, sponsored by the Hygiene Project and People to People International (PTPI), held a “safe”, socially-distanced shout-out of its own for five Secaucus-based high-schoolers who had served the organizations since 2016 while earning meritorious grades.

Harvaniya Krishnan, Anushka Advani, Eshaan Mangat and Nicky Sanchez — all from High Tech High of Secaucus — and Daniel Merchel of St Peter’s Prep High School of Jersey City — received community service certificates, honor cords and cloned graduation scrolls from group advisor, Cathy Wolf at the Mill Creek Point Park on June 28.

The five were among the 60 student members of Hygiene Project and PTPI who had served the Secaucus chapter of the organization over the past four years. They have contributed to multiple initiatives that have been recognized through the Congressional Award, President Volunteer Service Award, the Jefferson Awards Foundation, Multiplying Good and NJ Governor’s office of Volunteerism.

“The Hygiene Project & PTPI have helped me grow into a person who cares about her surroundings and the world,” said Krishnan, a budding musician and composer who has performed at various events for both.

“It’s so important for someone like me to achieve a balance between academics and the real world, and I’m so proud of the community work I’ve done for the past four years."

Her mother, Neetha, adds: “Cathy and Secaucus Cares have given us as a family a sense of purpose in this town. It’s so fulfilling to reach out to the needy and I’m happy my daughter has had the opportunity to do her share for society even as a student.”

Martha Sanchez, Nicky’s mother, had a similar view: “The PTPI and the Hygiene Project have encouraged kids from young to help others in need. My kids enjoy it a lot and Cathy taught them teamwork. The parents get to know each other and recognize each family’s needs.”

Eshaan Mangat agreed. “Through Secaucus Cares, my family and I have been able to develop personally as well as impact the community which has given so much to us.”

His mother, Iqbal, adds. “As a member of Secaucus Cares for the past 5 years under the guidance of Cathy, I have seen my kids develop a love for volunteerism and develop a proactive attitude in dealing with issues in their community,” she said.

Aside from the virtual graduation ceremony at Mill Creek Point Park, a drive-by was held for parents and others wishing to commemorate the students, who all wore masks and observed social-distancing. Secaucus Mayor Michael Gonnelli, Councilwoman Orietta Tringali and Secaucus Public Library Trustee & Housing Authority State Commissioner Raj Pardasani were present as well, to personally congratulate the graduates.

Under the Secaucus Cares NJ Student in Action program, students’ achievements for school year 2019 - 2020 include:

$ 10,134 in funds raised

10,133 Individuals service recipients

6,616 Meals prepared and served

1,075 School supplies collected and donated

23,780 Hygiene items collected, packed and donated

2,508 #Lbs of non-perishable food collected and distributed

2,110 Public service hours•

505 Winter Clothing and hats collected and distributed

135 Hand Made Greeting cards collected and distributed

490 Toys collected and donated

120 pairs of Footwear collected and donated

100 herb plants growing from seeds

Article By - Barani Krishnan

Pictures By - Neetah Krishnan