Four years ago, Cherokee High School student Nick Musulin had a goal of getting involved in community service in his school. In his time, he forged a relationship with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, established partnerships with area businesses and raised more than $20,000 for the charity.
On Wednesday night, the district gave back to Musulin for his years of hard work.
Musulin was named the Cherokee winner of the Student Volunteer Award, an annual recognition given to one student at each Lenape district high school who went above and beyond performing service in the community. The other three award winners were Lenape High School’s Craig Cassidy, Shawnee High School’s Abbey Wiker and Seneca High School’s Shawn Tuman.
For Musulin, the ceremony was a culmination of four years of hard work and determination. He let rejection after rejection for his school fundraising event blow right by and eventually started a head-shaving fundraiser event, with proceeds going toward St. Jude’s. The event debuted in 2012 and has now become a fixture on the Cherokee calendar.
“We were able to partner with the Philadelphia Flyers,” Musulin said. “We were able to get businesses and celebrities involved.”
Each of the district’s four honorees received their award for different accomplishments, but they each had something in common. District director of programs and planning Chris Heilig said all four recipients accumulated more than 300 hours of service each. All four were not only involved in clubs in their school community, but also reached out and served within their respective towns.
Wiker provided a good example of performing service outside school grounds. The Shawnee student led an effort to construct a rain garden at the Vaughan Community House in Medford Lakes. A video during the ceremony filmed her and other Shawnee students performing the work.
“I was totally shocked,” Wiker said upon learning she won the award. “I was speechless. I didn’t think I was going to win it.”
Tuman was honored by the award, but left the audience with words of encouragement. He noted how one doesn’t just need to work at or attend one of the high schools to get involved.
“I think it’s amazing that, where we live, you can serve,” he said.
The Lenape district also honored parent volunteers who served the school district through parent organizations. From school bands to sports and robotics teams, parents from all four high schools were recognized with certificates for their service.
“As parents, you’re our students’ first teacher,” Superintendent Carol Birnbohm said. “You show what community service looks like in action.”
The recognition of the parents is something the student award winners recognized as well. Each thanked their parents for their guidance.
All four award recipients will be graduating and heading off to college in the fall. Musulin said he wants to continue his involvement in community service as heads to Indiana University.
Still, Wednesday night’s ceremony is one he will never forget.
“It’s incredible,” Musulin said. “It’s amazing to be around some of these other people who have served their school.”
