Mahwah High School Student Honored With Prestigious Service Award

MAHWAH, NJ — Chrstine Ajao is just a sophomore in high school, but she understands the need to give people something more precious than money or accolades. She gives her time.

Ajao is just one of five students at Immaculate Heart Academy in Washington Township to receive the school's Spirit of Service Award. One student in each grade at the all-girls Catholic high school is given the award annually. Ajao and Abigail Auty received the award for the class of 2021.

Ajao is also one of nine Mahwah students at the school to earn the President's Volunteer Service Award. Ajao volunteered between 100 and 174 hours this academic year.

"Almost every one of our students went far beyond what was mandated, on average completing more than three times what they were required to complete," said Sarah Shutrop, IHA's director of campus ministry. "I am so proud to get to witness the rising of a generation of young, Catholic women, truly concerned about the suffering, vulnerable, and marginalized. It should bring us great hope for what's to come."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com