Little Silver's Officer Marty is NJ DARE Officer of the Year

He's been talking to Little Silver students about making good choices for over 20 years and now the borough's Sgt. Martin Scherzinger has been chosen as New Jersey's DARE Officer of the Year for 2013.

"Officer Marty does an exceptional job reminding students that good decision making is a life-long skill," said Little Silver Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carolyn Kossack in her letter of recommendation for Scherzinger's nomination.

She said that Scherzinger, known to the students as "Officer Marty," goes beyond the 10-week DARE program for fifth graders that advocates drug and violence prevention. He also takes part in the two-day Camp Bernie trip with seventh graders each year.

"Having Officer Marty offer his time and services to participate in this trip is a tremendous reminder to students that developing skills to be successful in life spans beyond classroom walls and beyond the fundamental D.A.R.E. instruction," Kossack said.

The Little Silver Board of Education will honor Officer Marty at its March 21 meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Markham Place Media Center.

Scherzinger was recognized on Feb. 27 as part of DARE NJ Annual State Training Conference in Atlantic City.