County College of Morris honors student leaders, performers at annual awards celebration
RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, N.J. (Morris County) — County College of Morris recognized student leaders, community volunteers and performing arts students during its 57th annual Campus Life Awards Dinner Dance, celebrating achievements across academics, service and campus involvement.
The event was held May 5 at Meadow Wood Manor in Randolph and honored students from throughout Morris County and neighboring counties in New Jersey, as well as Pennsylvania.
Awards recognized leadership, educational programming, community service and excellence in musical theater, drama, dance and technical production.
Representing communities across Morris, Passaic, Sussex and Warren counties, the honorees included students ranging from first-year attendees to members of the Class of 2026. College administrators, faculty and staff attended the event to present awards and recognize student accomplishments.
“The Campus Life Awards Dinner Dance is one of the most meaningful traditions at CCM because it recognizes the extraordinary dedication, creativity and leadership our students bring to campus each day,” said Don Phelps, Director of Campus Life. “Thes honorees have made a lasting impact through service, involvement in campus organizations and excellence in the performing arts, while also maintaining their academic commitments. We are proud to celebrate their achievements and the vibrant community they help create at CCM.”
Among the evening’s top honors, Samantha Torres Narvaez of Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, received the Dr. Edward J. Yaw Leadership Award for organizational leadership, community engagement and educational contributions.
Hannah Mescavage of Belvidere earned the Board of Trustees Service Award, while Layla Giron of Dover received the Patton Award for leadership and school spirit.
The First-Year Award was presented to Isabella Escobar Lopera of Flanders. Simmons Awards for leadership and involvement went to Lily Hesterman of Parsippany, Matthew Alvarez of Flanders and Sumeyye Oztek of Whippany.
Distinguished Leader Awards were presented to Tifany Araujo of Dover, Salvatore Cappucci of Budd Lake, Wesley Icer of Parsippany, Caelan Lynes of Madison, Sebastian Perez Brid of Wharton and Demetrios Piteris of West Milford.
Student organizations also were recognized. Educational Program of the Year honors went to the Environmental Club and EOF Student Alliance for the Environmental Excellence Awards program, as well as the LGBTQ Student Alliance for its “Be Yourself” presentation.
Community Service Program of the Year awards were presented to the Student Activities Programming Board for Welcome Week and InterVarsity Fellowship for Worship Night.
In the performing arts category, Chris Gardner of Bushkill, Pennsylvania, received the Raulf Award, while Jeff Foote of Westwood and Elizabeth Grant of Parsippany earned Pinnacle Awards for Leadership and Performance. Pinda Pittari of Randolph received the newly established Newcomers Award.
Additional honors were presented to students for achievements in musical theater, drama, technical theater and dance.
College officials said the annual event highlights the contributions students make both inside and outside the classroom while helping create a vibrant campus community.
