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Several Raritan Valley Community College students have been recognized with the President's Volunteer Service Award, a civil honor bestowed by the President of the United States. Originally established by executive order from George W. Bush, the award recognizes volunteers who give hundreds of hours each year helping others.

The award, given to both young adults (ages 16-25) and adults (age 26 and older), is given in three categories based on the number of completed service hours within a calendar year:

• Bronze: Young adults (100-174 hours); adults (100-249 hours)
• Silver: Young adults (175-249 hours); adults (250-499 hours)
• Gold: Young adults (250 or more hours); adults (500 or more hours)

The following RVCC students were recognized for their service during the 2019-2020 academic year:

David Bilia of Bridgewater (Gold): 674 hours
Focus area: Education
Organizations served: FIRST Mid-Atlantic (NJ); FIRST Robotics Team 303 (Bridgewater); Somerset County Vo-Tech & Somerset County Office of Emergency Management (Organized by Daniel Dalfonzo)

Corey Briggs of Hampton (Bronze): 200 hours
Focus area: Education
Organizations served: Project Horses for Forces (Long Valley); RVCC’s First Year Experience Office

Rachelle-Mae Flores of Green Brook (Bronze): 100 hours
Focus area: Healthy Futures
Organizations served: Abingdon Care and Rehabilitation Center (Green Brook); Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (Somerville)

Nigora Ganieva of Bedminster (Bronze): 100 hours
Focus area: Education
Organizations served: RVCC’s Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

Valeria Izeppi of Washington (Gold): 250 hours
Focus area: Environmental Stewardship
Organizations served: RVCC Environmental Club

Luong Ngo of Bridgewater (Bronze): 100 hours
Focus area: Education
Organizations served: RVCC’s Admissions Office; RVCC Food Pantry

Nancy Portillo of South Plainfield (Silver): 180 hours
Focus area: Healthy Futures
Organizations served: South Plainfield EMS
Johanna Sailema of Plainfield (Bronze): 150 hours
Focus area: Disaster Services
Organizations served: All Hands and Hearts (USA)

Jaime Stramaglia of Bloomsbury (Silver): 175 hours
Focus area: Healthy Futures
Organizations served: The Midland School (Branchburg); RVCC Food Pantry; RVCC Student Nurses Association

Sofio Tabutsadze of Manville (Bronze): 188 hours
Focus area: Healthy Futures
Organizations served: Manville Fire Co. #3 Ladies Auxiliary

Orland Vasquez of Plainfield (Bronze): 100 hours
Focus area: Disaster Services
Organizations served: All Hands and Hearts (USA); Raritan Headwaters Association (Bedminster); RVCC Enactus team

The President's Volunteer Service Award is a premier volunteer award, encouraging citizens to live a life of service through national recognition, honoring them for taking positive action that changes the world. Honorees receive a personalized certificate signed by the President of the United States, a letter from the President, and a medallion.

Ranked by WalletHub.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to a Planetarium, Science Education Institute and 3M Observatory; a 1,000-seat Theatre offering professional performances for all ages; and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training, small business assistance through the Small Business Development Center, and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 11, 2020

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #19