Youth of the Year

2025-2026

Youth of the Year 2025-2026

Adam Abouzied
2026 Youth of the Year

Thomas Jefferson Arts Academy

Abouzied is a versatile, high-achieving scholar who ranks third in his class with a 4.62 weighted GPA. A true "Jack of All Trades," he serves as Student Representative to the Board of Education, Vice President and Secretary of Student Government, Bass Section Leader for the acapella choir, and a lead actor for the Liberty Players, famously starring as Danny Zuko in Grease. Academically disciplined, Abouzied also presents internationally with the Environmentors science club, winning awards for best presentation and collaboration. His immense dedication to civic service is reflected in an incredible 869 completed community service hours, including work as a City Hall junior camp counselor and a sound technician for the Elizabeth Youth Theatre Ensemble. He also balanced varsity tennis, family babysitting, and working 40+ hours a week. Abouzied plans to major in psychology, biology, political science, or criminal justice to help others.

Genesis Melendez

Genesis Melendez
2026 Youth of the Year Finalist

J. Christian Bollwage Finance Academy

Melendez serves as Student Government Class President, Cheer Captain, and is the proud Salutatorian of her graduating class. A motivated honors and AP finance student, she has maintained a stellar 4.67 weighted GPA and is ranked second in her class. Melendez excels in leadership and communication, having completed 102 community service hours and actively hosting events like "Haunted Hallways" to unite the community. Her exceptional athletic skills earned her a spot on the NJCDCA All-State Cheerleading Team and a National Cheerleaders Association Individual Leadership Award. Beyond school, she supports her family’s hair business, tutors her younger siblings, and was crowned Homecoming Queen. Passionate about public speaking and youth empowerment, Melendez has also participated in exclusive finance meetings with Mayor Bollwage to discuss financial education. She aims to channel her dedication and success into pursuing a future career in dentistry.

Samuel Zapata

Samuel Zapata
2026 Youth of the Year Finalist

John E. Dwyer Technology Academy

Zapata serves as the Valedictorian for the Class of 2026, maintaining a 4.77 weighted GPA and earning the Superintendent’s Honor Roll every quarter. An accomplished QuestBridge National College Match Finalist and AP Scholar, he holds memberships in the Math, Science, English, and Spanish and Portuguese National Honor Societies. Beyond his academic feats, Zapata is a dedicated advocate for immigrant communities, completing 93 service hours. He serves as a Youth Leader for the Make the Road NJ Student Success Center, where he assists hundreds of students with financial aid applications and presents tools to statewide organizations. Additionally, he participates in the Interact Club, local soccer camps, and the UC STEP program. At home, Zapata takes on immense responsibility, reviewing his sister's homework, handling family transportation, and contributing financially to rent and household bills.

Adriana Valentin

Adriana Valentin
2026 Youth of the Year Finalist

Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy

Valentin serves as Senior Class Vice President and represented her peers as the 2025–2026 Board of Education Student Representative. A dedicated scholar and National Honor Society member, she maintained honor roll distinction across four years while balancing rigorous AP coursework and completing 245 community service hours. Valentin’s leadership shines through the Building Future Leaders Program and her active role in planning school events and fundraisers. Demonstrating a strong work ethic, she works at Panera Bread, cleans houses, and babysits. Her personal interests include gardening, which mirrors her patient approach to growth. Motivated to excel, Valentin plans to major in business and minor in forensic psychology, with the ultimate goal of becoming a business owner. She is eager to build upon her extensive foundation of leadership to make a meaningful, lasting impact.

Douglas Matute

Douglas Matute
2026 Youth of the Year Finalist

Elizabeth High School – Frank J. Cicarell Academy

Matute serves as the Student Representative to the Board of Education for EHS-FJC, where he passionately advocates for his peers and enhances district-wide student communication. A disciplined and driven scholar ranking in the top tier of his class with a 4.13 GPA, Matute has successfully balanced a rigorous academic workload, including Advanced Placement courses, with a profound dedication to creative and collaborative problem-solving. He is a highly active leader within his school, serving as the co-captain of his Odyssey of the Mind team and dedicating extensive hours to the Elizabeth High School Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Further showcasing his civic leadership, he excelled in a mock government at the American Legion Jersey Boys State program and designed community solutions for local homeless shelters through UC STEP. At home, Matute demonstrates maturity by translating critical official documents for his Spanish-speaking parents. He aspires to study engineering in college.

Savannah Abreu

Savannah Abreu
2026 Youth of the Year Finalist

Adm. William F. Halsey Jr. Health & Public Safety Academy

Abreu serves as Halsey Health & Public Safety Academy’s Student Representative to the Board of Education and is the distinguished Salutatorian of the Class of 2026. Moving to the United States from Kenya in the tenth grade, she quickly acclimated to excel academically, earning Superintendent Honor Roll distinction and a 4.31 weighted GPA. Abreu is an NJ SEEDS College Scholar and has accumulated 100 community service hours. Her vast leadership includes serving as the Elizabeth High School Head Swim Team Manager, a class leader in JROTC, and a competitor in Model United Nations and the World Scholars Cup. Dedicated to youth development, she volunteers as an assistant teacher for KUMON and local church religious classes. Recognized with the school’s Unsung Hero and Superintendent’s Scholar awards, Abreu blends mature intellect with deep global awareness. She aspires to become an international human rights lawyer.

Yusrah Lawal

Yusrah Lawal
2026 Youth of the Year Finalist

Alexander Hamilton Preparatory Academy

Lawal is a remarkable scholar who currently ranks first in her class as Valedictorian, boasting a 4.75 weighted GPA. Recognized as an AP Scholar with Honor and a National African American Recognition Program scholar, she demonstrates exceptional mastery in the sciences, having earned a perfect score of 5 on the AP Chemistry exam. Lawal serves as a Student Body Representative in Student Government, Secretary of the AVID Leadership Club, and Lead Editor for the school's literary magazine. Deeply invested in community enrichment, she has completed 222 service hours, volunteering weekly at the Family Promise Food Bank and tutoring peers online through Upchieve and Schoolhouse. She also coordinates the school's Black History Month Showcase and received Kean University's Joy Prescott Humanitarian Award. Lawal seamlessly balances her intense academic rigor with creative passions like drawing, crafting, and baking.

Brian Guzman

Brian Guzman
2026 Youth of the Year Finalist

Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson STEM Academy

Guzman serves as Student Government President, Student Council President, and the Student Representative to the Board of Education at JVJ STEM Academy. In these leadership roles, he advocates for peers and works to strengthen communication between students, faculty, and district leadership with integrity and responsibility. Academically, Guzman has distinguished himself as the current Valedictorian of JVJ STEM Academy, having earned a 4.95 GPA, the Superintendent Scholar Award every marking period since freshman year, and selection as an NJ SEEDS College Scholar. In his school community, he is an active member of the National Honor Society, the National STEM Honor Society, the Computer Club, and the Environmental Engineering Club, and he even founded the school's Board Game Club. Demonstrating deep civic commitment, Guzman has completed over 115 hours of community service through peer tutoring, hospital volunteering, and translating for families. He balances these roles with a part-time job at Cold Stone Creamery and has committed to attending Colgate University to major in Astrophysics.