By Sam Mazzella ’16

Four times a year, around the end of each marking period, students are recognized in five categories: athletics, leadership, arts, academics and service to the community. The ShopRite Stars program is well-known around school, but not everyone is aware of the full story behind how it was created and why West Essex became involved in the process.

West Essex has been involved in the ShopRite Stars program since its start in 1999. Ned Gladstein, owner of the West Caldwell Shop-Rite, and a group of associates who focused on community service created the ShopRite Stars program to highlight students going above and beyond just their school work.

“We feel that the program fulfills its initial intention, recognition as well as ShopRite’s way to give back to the communities we serve,”  said Joan Zambrello, who runs the Stars program.

Juniors and seniors are eligible to be nominated by teachers, coaches and advisers. An email is sent to all the teachers asking them to nominate students.  Careful consideration goes into picking students to nominate.

“I look at more than just the work they produce. They don’t have to be the most talented artist,” said Art teacher, Ms. Rizzi, “I look to see if this person is a role model, if they are involved and if they are willing to help me out by helping a friend who might be confused.”

“I look for excellence in all categories, someone who goes above and beyond,” said guidance counselor Van Syckle.

After all nominations are made and the winners are announced for all four marking periods, the West Caldwell ShopRite makes a $1,000 donation to Project Graduation. Students’ photos hang in ShopRite and around school for everyone to see.

Many other schools in the area also participate in the ShopRite Stars program, including James Caldwell, Montville High School, Parsippany High and Parsippany Hills High School.

The winners for first marking period were: Stephen Hunter for service to the community, Cathryn Kessler for leadership, Tim Ruszala for arts, Liam Fahey for academics and Isaiah Rodriguez for athletics.

“It was an honor to be nominated for this,” senior Stephen Hunter said. “I never really knew what the program was, but I think it’s a really good program for us to participate in.”