PARSIPPANY — Lakeland Hills Family YMCA held its “2015 Annual Dinner and Awards Presentation” on Wednesday, May 13 at the Knoll Country Club, Parsippany. Among the many individuals honored, two were honored from Parsippany, Parsippany Hills High School student Alezander Wu and the late Dr. Frank Calabria.
Parsippany Hills High School senior, Alezander Wu received the William Kogen Community Service Award. The award is presented to a high school senior boy and girl who best exemplify service and leadership to the community. The award included a $1,000 college scholarship and a YMCA membership.
Alezander Wu was the Northern Regional Communications Director for the New Jersey Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) organization during his junior year. He has been president of the Parsippany Hills Habitat for Humanity Club since my junior year. Alezander is a member of the PHHS Key Club. He volunteered as an editorial intern for Out Impact Magazine. He also volunteered with the Heritage of Pride Association of New York City. He is a tutor for both the PHHS Italian Honor Society and National Honor Society.He has helped prepare, serve, and deliver Thanksgiving meals around Grafton County in New Hampshire. Alezander canvassed with the New York Public Interest Research Group against hydrofracking in Westchester County. He also volunteered at the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter.
Additionally, here are Alezander’s prospects for the future:
He will be attending Pitzer College in Claremont, California double majoring in a self-designed literary therapy major, along with a second concentration in Environmental Sustainability.
He has written three novels and plan to have one published within the next year.
He hopes to become an indirect ally through my writing in the future in order to lower the teen suicide rate. He plans to tell stories from various backgrounds and points of views of the main characters in order to connect with a greater audience.
He is in the process of starting a nonprofit called The Hope Book. It will be a website where people can submit their own works about battling through hardships in order to provide hope and confidence for those undergoing similar circumstances. He also wants it to be an easy way to connect teens with an older mentor to help them through any issues they may have.
Dr. Frank Calabria was among the candidates being honored for “Citizens of the Year Awards.”
The award is presented to individuals in the YMCA service area who have provided outstanding volunteer service and leadership to improve the quality of life in each of their communities.
Frank Calabria, in memoriam – Frank was one of the longest-serving Board of Education members in the entire State of New Jersey. He cared deeply and was passionate about education, which was never more evident than by his helping shape the futures of Parsippany students. Frank shared his knowledge and experience with colleagues by being both a friend and a mentor. His honors included UNICO Parsippany Citizen of the Year award, and the Jaycee’s Distinguished Service award (along with his wife Angela). Although he served many school districts professionally, his heart was in Parsippany. Frank was also a vital member of St. Christopher’s Church, Parsippany. Frank passed away this past February, and the Lakeland Hills YMCA offers condolences to the Calabria family.
The Lakeland Hills YMCA serves the following communities: Parsippany, Boonton, Boonton Township, Denville, Kinnelon, Butler, Lincoln Park, Montville, Mountain Lakes, Pequannock and Riverdale.
The Lakeland Hills YMCA is a powerful association joined together by a shared commitment to nurturing the potential of kids, promoting healthy living, and fostering a sense of social responsibility. They believe that lasting personal and social changes can only come about when we all work together to invest in our kids, our health, and our neighbors. Every day, they work to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income, or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.
The Lakeland Hills YMCA is located at 100 Fanny Road, Mountain Lakes. For more information, click here.
