Panel picks 51st annual Jaycees’ award winners

The panel of judges who selected the winners of the Nutley Jaycees 51st Annual Distinguished Service Awards, which are presented to individuals who live or work in Nutley.

• Walter Smith was chairperson of the panel of judges, which was also made up of people from Nutley.

• Barbara Hirsch, former director of special education in Nutley, past president Nutley Rotary and former Jaycees Education honoree;

• Steven Clarke, past president Nutley Jaycees, former Outstanding Young Man;

• Kent Bania, superintendent of Nutley Schools;

• Andy Garruto, treasurer of Nutley Jaycees and former Outstanding Young Adult;

The Distinguished Service Awards program was started in 1972 by the Nutley Jaycees for two main reasons.

First, the Jaycees wanted to recognize those individuals who had “Willingly and unselfishly given their time and efforts” for the betterment of Nutley. Second, the Jaycees said they hoped that more Nutley residents might “resolve within themselves to emulate the community consciousness of the DSA recipients”.

Last year’s recipients were Daniel Geltrude for business, Ian Viemeister for education, Thomas Evans for civic affairs, Sandra “Sam” Carella for public health and safety, Krista Crumrine for Outstanding Young Adult, and Julie Glazer for a second education honoree.