Eight students from academies across the Atlantic Union Conference received the 2022 Caring Heart Award. This award was established to recognize students attending Adventist academies who have “demonstrated a personal commitment to active participatory service and witnessing activities and programs.” Each recipient receives a scholarship award of $500 and a plaque. Congratulations to this year’s recipients.
Alera Dore is a senior at Bermuda Institute. She currently serves as the Student Association president. She has the ability to marshal her peers into getting projects done. Alera epitomizes caring. One example was when a classmate had nowhere to stay because her guardian had to travel overseas for surgery. Alera volunteered to have her classmate spend a month at her home while her guardian recuperated. Alera knows the importance of service and giving back to her community. She volunteered as a product distributor and a marshal in the PGA Tour held at Port Royal, Bermuda, every year from 2019 to 2021. Alera also finds ways to show her kindness to her classmates and fellow students. Alera loves children. She worked in summer camps and as a babysitter. She aspires to study child psychology and become an early childhood educator. She is a compassionate individual who knows how to get things done.
Jenice Rodriguez is a senior at Greater New York Academy. She is an outgoing and adventurous person who explores every possible option of sharing kindness with others. She purposed in her heart to meet her spiritual goal to help others with their spiritual struggles. As a result, she shares her testimonies of how she overcame by the power of God. Jenice intends to pursue a career as a veterinarian or zoologist. She had many household pets while growing up, and she wants to care for and help animals that are suffering. She believes that, in doing so, she can make a real difference. Her contributions to society include paying special attention to the Explorer Class and Youth Ministries department at her church, which carries out multiple outreach initiatives under her guidance and support. She is also the leader of the baking club at her school. Jenice is a dedicated young Christian who intends to give God her best in every way possible.
Marinela Cruz is a senior at Northeastern Academy, where she currently serves as the student council vice president, senior class president, and National Honor Society president. Marinela enjoys reading, drawing, and playing the violin. She also enjoys challenges where she can use her problem-solving skills to better herself and those around her. Starting with an early interest in technology and computing, she wishes to pursue a degree in computer science at Southern Adventist University, where she plans to continue her studies in the summer of 2022. Marinela places special importance on her relationship with God. She lives by the principle of doing her best in life. She hopes to succeed, not only in her earthly life, but in securing eternal life.
Elyana Serenity Jarvis is a senior at the Northeastern Academy Boston Campus, where she has maintained a cumulative GPA of 3.8 and has taken several advanced placement and advanced classes. She is also a member of the Northeastern Academy chapter of the National Honor Society. After her graduation in June 2022, Elyana plans to attend Oakwood University and major in Finance. Having performed in numerous choirs, praise teams, and musical groups, Elyana has devoted herself to her passions: singing and musical knowledge. She prides herself on being a hard worker, compassionate Christian, and genuine individual as she strives to do her best and make positive impacts in the lives of everyone she meets.
Abigayle Stearman, a senior at Pine Tree Academy (PTA), regularly volunteers at the Brunswick church where she worships. Every month she helps in the church supply pantry, preparing and then delivering bags containing toiletries, non-perishable food, and fruit for individuals in the community who are in need. She volunteers at the community services center when she is able. Abigayle also participates in a church Christmas program called “The Greatest Gift.” This annual program shares with hundreds of attendees the story of Jesus coming to this world. She has volunteered in the kindergarten department of her church as well.
Shane Nolan is a senior at South Brooklyn Academy who is going to college to pursue his dream of becoming an engineer and a computer science professional. As a child, his mind was always filled with so many ideas that he would draw them out or build small-scale models. He is a creative art student who, for his final semester, made two 2D animation projects called, “The Last Hand Sanitizer” and “PSA Smoking.” His determination led him to be a part of the National Honor Society with the highest honor. Shane’s dream is to become CEO/founder of his future company called “Beyond.” He made a book titled “Hand Book 1.” In this document, he drew prototypes of future models that he desires to make a reality within his company. Shane wants to utilize his future innovations to benefit the world and revolutionize the state of technology.
Nathan Neidigh is a junior at South Lancaster Academy (SLA), which he has attended since the fourth grade. He volunteers at Camp Sonrise, the summer day camp at SLA, and is a conscientious caregiver for the children. He enjoys assisting with the audiovisual system at the College Church in Lancaster, Massachusetts, and volunteers for the Greater Lancaster Holiday Food Drive each year. He spends countless hours providing computer support for the school and helped set up security and Ethernet connectivity, saving thousands of dollars for SLA.
Nathan is also an active leader and has held many offices in his high school career—class vice president, class treasurer, vice president of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, captain of the cross country team, and captain of the First Tech Challenge robotics team. He plays the trombone in the New England Youth Ensemble and the Atlantic Wind Symphony. Nathan plans to become an engineer and looks forward to seeing how he can use his skills to help others.
Josue Escriban has served an integral role in the musical life of Union Springs Academy. His warm, deep voice can be heard in the choir, on praise teams, during special music, and in the hallways of the administration building. An accomplished oboist and saxophonist, he has played in church, the band, and at every special event requiring musical talent.
Running deeper than his love of music is his love for God. Josue is planning to enter pastoral ministry. His relationship with Jesus can be seen in how he treats everyone around him with respect and dignity while still holding to Bible standards. He embodies the loving, respectful attributes of Jesus. He has spoken for church and worship services, served diligently in campus ministry, and inspired his peers to take an active role in the spiritual leadership of the school.
