SCVTHS Celebrates the Spirit of Giving

The Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School (SCVTHS) community came together once again to make the holidays a little brighter for those in need.

Student groups at the school ran multiple collection drives in the weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday, delivering presents and comfort throughout the community.

Students in the Cosmetology Program partnered with the school’s Connect4Cancer club to collect toys for patients being treated at the pediatrics unit at Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatric Cancer Center and at Children’s Specialized Hospital. This is the 9th year cosmetology students have accepted donations for the toy drive, which is held in memory of Mackenzie Wright, the niece of Cosmetology instructor Mrs. Julie Francis.

The TOPS program at SCVTHS once again partnered with Agape House, a division of Volunteers of America to help provide toys for local families in need. Agape House provides emergency shelter for families, and students gathered and wrapped presents in hopes of making some holiday wishes come true.
As a result of their efforts, 37 children who would otherwise not have received presents had something to unwrap this holiday season.

Members of the school’s chapter of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) collected 75 coats for the Jersey Cares Winter Coat Drive. Jersey Cares will distribute the coats throughout New Jersey, helping people in need of something warm to wear this winter find some comfort during the coldest  months.

Photo (l-r) Students and staff involved in the TOPS Program at SCVTHS with some of the toys they
collected for children at Agape House. Pictured (back row l-r) are TOPS Supervisor Chris Lemongelli,
students Yunus Hassan of Somerset, Bryce Gerbounka of Raritan, Johnathon Bester-Montenegro of
Somerset, Grant Ferrara of Middlesex, Aden McDonnell-Azodoh of Somerset, Georgy Anisimov of
Bridgewater. (front row l-r) Instructor Johanna Scholl, Mecca Walden of Bound Brook, Instructional Aide
Karen Morlock, Damion Harrigan of Basking Ridge, Madina Walden of Bound Brook, Paraprofessional Gayle Behot, Instructor Cristina Perrone, and Angelo Ochoa of Somerset.

Photo: Students in the Cosmetology Program at SCVTHS with some of thetoys they collected for children
at Memorial Sloan Kettering Pediatric Cancer Center and Children’s Specialized Hospital. Pictured (l-r)
are Emily Gengler of Hillsborough, Leah Sowden of Bridgewater, Ava DelRocco of Raritan, Jamie Keller of Raritan, and Miranda Verbist of Hillsborough.

Photo (l-r) Members of SCVTHS chapter of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) with some
of the coats they collected for the Jersey Cares Winter Coat Drive. Pictured are (standing, l-r) Anya
Konduru of Hillsborough, Alessia Capodiferro of North Plainfield, Valeria Reinoso of Hillsborough,
Shane Killimett of North Plainfield, Estefania Carino of South Bound Brook, Tatiana Murillo of North
Plainfield, Sarah Bahnasy of Bound Brook, Treesa Joby of Hillsborough, Genesis Calles Guardado of
Somerset and Ivy Aiyegbo of Franklin Park. Seated students are (l-r) Yvanjalis Romero of Manville,
Narielys Gutierrez of South Bound Brook, Matthew Boyce of Hillsborough, Emmanuella Leonard-Emuren of Bridgewater and Yveth Aldaz of Bound Brook.