12 South Brunswick Kids Honored In Heroes & Helpers 2023

SOUTH BRUNSWICK, NJ – For the past eight years, the South Brunswick Police Department has been hosting a program where they honor students for accomplishments.

South Brunswick Police Department's eighth annual Heroes and Helpers event was held Tuesday at Target. At the event 12 exceptional kids were treated to a special shopping spree. These recipients were each nominated by their individual school for their outstanding work and character. Some of the things these students have been involved with included actively reaching out to others to play during recess; advocating for the welfare of fellow students; committing random acts of kindness; working with non-English speaking students; volunteering at a food bank and displaying outstanding sportsmanship.

The students act as role models and mentors, setting a good example for others to follow. They are known to help staff in the schools, provide motivation and guidance to classmates, and to offer kindness, compassion, and a cheerful word to all they meet throughout the day.

According to the police department, almost every single nomination mentioned the word “positive.”

“It’s a pleasure to recognize these 12 students for their outstanding efforts. There are over 10,000 students in the district, and these young men and women were chosen because they have made a huge positive impact in their school or community. We applaud their efforts,” Polcie Chief Raymond Hayducka said. Each honoree was given a certificate of achievement, a Target gift card, and their own personal police officer to accompany them through the store on their shopping spree.

The program was funded by a partnership between Target, the two South Brunswick Police Department unions, the PBA and the FOP, the South Brunswick School District Administrators, Noor Ul Iman School, and Saint Augustine School. Here are the names of the 12 students who were recognized and the schools that nominated them:

• South Brunswick High School - Nicholas Moreno
• Crossroads South Middle School - Natasha Kenny
• Crossroads North Middle School – JP Barahdi
• Brunswick Acres Elementary School – Nysiah Law
• Greenbrook Elementary School - Frankie Maldonado
• Cambridge Elementary School - Evan Kong
• Constable Elementary School - Zoey Czahla
• Monmouth Junction Elementary School - Ja’Kai Grant
• Indian Fields Elementary School - Anna Flores Nazario
• Brooks Crossing Elementary School – Julia Huertas
• Saint Augustine School – Makaela Modzelewski
• Noor Ul Iman School – Bilal Hasan

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