Student Leaders of the Year

These awards recognize one outstanding Middle School student leader and one outstanding High School student leader. Applications are posted on our website in September and typically due right before Thanksgiving. The State Officers personally review all applications and decide on the two award winners at their December executive meeting. Awards are presented at the Winter Convention in January.

Application Forms

Application Form will be posted in September 2026

Application Form will be posted in September 2026

  • Your school MUST be an active member school of NJASC in good standing, otherwise your application will NOT be considered.
  • The completed application form and all accompanying materials must be scanned/e-mailed (NO snail mail accepted) to NJASC Executive Director Lou Miller at lmiller@njasc.net by November 25, 2026

Current Honorees

DANIELLA ALABI, THOMAS EDISON ENERGYSMART CHARTER SCHOOL
2025-2026 Middle Level Student Leader of the Year

Daniella Alabi has been a leader in her school, serving in its Student Council for two years.  She is also a member of Cheer Squad, Science Olympiad, MathCounts, and has participated in a wide variety of community activities.

In the words of a fellow Student Council member, “What makes Daniella remarkable is the way she approaches leadership itself.  She doesn’t lead from a distance; she is right there with us and has the ability to make everyone feel that their ideas matter.”

In the words of the Student Council Advisor, “Her leadership philosophy emphasizes humility, relatability, and collective success – and is evident in everything she does.  What impresses me the most is her authenticity; she builds genuine relationships with peers, listens actively to their concerns, and follows through on her commitments, motivating others through example not authority.”

We congratulate Daniella and Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School on this well deserved honor!

MAHEK KHAN, THOMAS EDISON ENERGYSMART CHARTER SCHOOL
2025-2026 High School Student Leader of the Year

Mahek Khan has been a leader in her school, serving in its Student Council for two years.  She is also a member of Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Science Olympiad, Chorus, and has participated in a wide variety of community activities.

In the words of a fellow Student Council member, “Mehek's leadership is rooted in an unwavering commitment to integrity.  If she is the only person willing to do something difficult, she will go ahead and do it.”

In the words of the Student Council Advisor, “She believes that whoever has some sort of advantage has a responsibility to help others.  Mahek doesn’t wait for permission to lead, she acts with integrity even when it’s inconvenient, and she genuinely believes that individual success means nothing if it doesn’t lift others along the way."

We congratulate Mahek and Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School on this well deserved honor!

Recent Past Honorees

A list of recent past Student Leader of the Year honorees is provided below:

  • 2025-2026 (HS) - Mahek Khan, Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School
  • 2025-2026 (ML) - Daniella Alabi, Thomas Edison EnergySmart Charter School
  • 2024-2025 (HS) - Manar Hadi, Cherry Hill HS East
  • 2024-2025 (ML) - Sophie Herbes, Mendham Township MS
  • 2023-2024 (HS) - Riley Darlington, Kinnelon HS
  • 2023-2024 (ML) - Katrina Ng, Brooklawn MS
  • 2022-2023 (HS) - Julia Bisse, Warren Hills Regional HS
  • 2021-2022 (HS) - Sarah Mower, Kingsway Regional HS
  • 2020-2021 (HS) - Anya Dillard, West Orange HS
  • 2019-2020 (HS) - Olivia Browndorf, West Windsor-Plainsboro HS North
  • 2019-2020 (ML) - Zoe Weill, Haworth Public School
  • 2018-2019 (HS) - Selam Woldai, West Orange HS
  • 2017-2018 (HS) - Matt Yansick, Palmyra HS
  • 2017-2018 (ML) - Brianna Dannemiller, Liberty Middle School
  • 2016-2017 (HS) - Brynn McCall, Riverside HS
  • 2016-2017 (ML) - Megan Eastman, Delaware Township School
  • 2015-2016 (HS) - Jaclyn Alburtus, Bayonne HS