THE WALLENBERG HONORS PROGRAM
The Wallenberg Honors Program recognizes high school and middle school students in ten (10) affiliated New Jersey counties who exemplify in word and action the courage and compassion of Raoul Wallenberg. In May of 2012, 60 out of 375,000 students in the ten participating counties were named Wallenberg Finalists.
PROGRAM GOALS
- To honor the memory of Raoul Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat in Hungary during World War II, whose heroic efforts saved the lives of 100,000 Jews who would have perished in concentration camps
- To recognize students who are motivated by compassion and act with courage in their service to others and by their work in promoting understanding, acceptance, tolerance, and peace
- To provide our youth with contemporary role models who exemplify the courage and compassion of Raoul Wallenberg
CRITERIA FOR STUDENT SELECTION
The selected student:
- Made a positive difference by fostering respect and compassion for others by consistently demonstrating moral courage and personal responsibility in the school or community.
OR
- Is recognized by adults and peers as an individual who stands apart from others through his/her demonstration on a consistent basis of the concept of “the power of one,” the idea that one individual can take the opportunity for positive action in his/her daily experiences.
OR
- Performed actions which in the opinion of the selection committee demonstrate a commitment to the principles of courage and compassion.
EXPANDING THROUGHOUT NEW JERSEY: TEN (10) AREAS FOR THE WALLENBERG HONORS PROGRAM
PAST WALLENBERG HONOREES
High School Honorees
- A Mountain Lakes High School student collected and shipped bicycles as a means of transportation to developing nations; chaired drives for the cancer fund and flood victims in the midwest; organized small fund drives for a classmate's family in need; helped paint the local library and facilities for a Newark choral group; organized fund drives for the needy; established contacts with like-minded youth groups in Southeast Asia.
- A young lady from Pompton Plains has become an active participant in Free The Children, an international youth organization. She has spent her vacations in Nicaragua to build schools and aid orphans. She is active in leadership programs.
- A young man from Warren in Somerset County was born and is living with Cerebral Palsy. He is a great inspiration to others through his positive attitude and actions. He is a top-ranking student; he is a member of the varsity basketball team; he is a Salvation Army volunteer.
- A student residing in East Hanover helped equip a homeless shelter and provided babysitting for children while the parents looked for jobs; volunteered time to work with underprivileged children after school; volunteered at a local community house; served as president of E.R.A.S.E. (End Racism and Sexism Everywhere).
- A young boy residing in Annandale, Hunterdon County, went into harm's way to rescue another boy from drowning in a swimming pool at a New Jersey shore community. By definition - a true hero.
- This Honoree lived in an orphanage in Calcutta after being abandoned by his father; overcame numerous disabilities and became a member of Dover Middle School's wrestling team. He was a great charitable volunteer.
- A young girl residing in Parsippany noticed that three girls were taunting another student about her religion, clothes and smell. After several interventions, and with great perseverance, she managed to ease tensions among the students.
- This Honoree served in a leadership role on the Madison Junior School's conflict resolution team; presented and modeled peer mediation techniques in middle school classrooms, at faculty meetings, and at evening student/community workshops; consistently worked to make a positive difference by fostering respect and compassion for others.