(Photo, l-r) Robert Bumpus, Acting Commissioner of the Division of Filed Services, Robert Akovity, Agnes Akovity, Judith Vihonski, YES adviser, Arcelio Aponte, President of the NJ State Board of Education, Adam Akovity, Sabina Borowiec, Dee Borowiec, David C. Hespe, Acting Commissioner of Education
YES Club Recognized by NJ Sate Board of Education
The State Board of Education recognized the outstanding achievement of the YES Club at its Recognition Ceremony in Trenton recently.
Two students, Sabina Borowiec and Adam Akovity, representatives of the club who accepted the award, carry on the legacy of the grassroots organization. The club is celebrating 25 years of environmental work including over 45 town cleanups. This past year, the club completed three cleanups including a cleanup of Palisades Park. Through the year, the students have sponsored environmental literacy projects, built bluebird houses, created environmental awareness through meaningful first-hand experiences with the environment, served as a catalyst for intergeneration cooperation, and embraced environmental stewardship. The club has received numerous grants and awards.
Beyond environmental activities, the two representatives of the YES Club have distinguished themselves in academic and extra-curricula activities. Sabina Borowiec, advanced to the National History Day finals in Washington, DC, last year. Her research/exhibit is now featured at the Sea Girt Lighthouse Museum. After a successful presentation at the New Jersey History Day regional in March, she is advancing to the state finals on May 3 with her team’s performance about child labor. She is a member of JOY (Joining Old & Young) an intergenerational poetry group that was featured in Classroom Close-up in 2013. She is also active in the drama club. Her interests include writing and drawing.
As New Jersey Regional Champions, Adam Akovity and his two teammates represented New Jersey at the Future City National Competition in Washington, DC, in February 2014. The team garnered 2nd place and won a $5,000 technology grant for the school. He and his team will be featured on NJEA’s Emmy-winning Classroom Close-up in May 2014. Adam speaks two languages fluently and is currently studying French. He attends German classes on Saturdays (since third grade). He is a member of Boy Scout Troop #49 and participates in local recreation sports including soccer, basketball, and golf. He enjoys drama club and track at school, plays tennis, skis, and volunteers at the Oakland Public Library. He has attended nature summer camp in Hungary and is an international traveler