Lenape Regional High School District

LRHSD Students and Parents Recognized for Commitment to Service

Students and Parents Honored at Board of Education
Volunteer Appreciation Night on May 10th

The Lenape Regional High School District (LRHSD) Board of Education hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Night on May 10th where students and parents from each high school were recognized for their commitment to serving others. The ceremony included a video highlighting the work of each student honoree and brief remarks by a representative from each high school about their respective parent volunteer.

“These award recipients have demonstrated a commitment and dedication toward service and volunteerism, as well as leadership that truly inspires others to do the same in their own communities,” said LRHSD Assistant Superintendent Matthew Webb.

Student Honorees
Students awarded for service are seniors (pictured left to right) Kaitlyn King from Lenape High School, Trinity Vodovoz from Shawnee High School, Dinesh Karnati from Cherokee High School and Lila King from Seneca High School. All the students also received scholarships provided by the Lenape Regional Foundation, Inc.

Kaitlyn King’s work to raise money for Unite for Her, a charity that provides care and support for those battling breast and/or ovarian cancer, is simply awe-inspiring. Since sixth grade, Kaitlyn has led a group of volunteers to plan and implement Think Pink, a series of basketball tournaments and clinics for young people in the Mount Laurel Community. Kaitlyn has been a leader of this program, allowing young people in the area to have fun while helping others. In recent years, she has designed t-shirts, staffed fundraisers, coordinated with Mount Laurel Basketball, decorated, and solicited donations Press Release (More) to support the Think Pink initiative. The basketball clinics and tournaments have been extremely well-received by the community and have connected elementary and middle school students in the area with Lenape students who are committed to serving their communities. Kaitlyn will continue her education and volunteer service as she starts her work towards a degree in finance at the University of Florida next year.

Trinity Vodovoz is involved in everything and anything at Shawnee! From Student Council, Cheerleading, DECA and FBLA, to Kids for Wish Kids, Spanish Club and Charity Water, Trinity has volunteered her time in more ways than we can count, in school and throughout our surrounding communities. She’s not only a member, but a leader in these areas as well. Trinity is also involved in Students Actively Concerned, designed to foster citizenship, give back to the community, and bring joy to others. She even found the time to start the Live Like Casey Club to help highlight the importance of being kind to others and respecting one another, exemplified by Casey Lohne, a former Shawnee graduate. Regardless of Trinity’s activities and volunteerism, she is a leader, and has consistently exhibited dedication and commitment throughout all of her academic and personal endeavors.

Dinesh Karnati has contributed over 500 hours of service since coming to Cherokee. His motto is “Service before Self” and it is evident he puts his words into action. Dinesh spends most of his time involved with Sewa International, a Hindu humanitarian service organization specializing in disaster relief and rehabilitation. Additionally, he spends a few weeks each summer preparing meals at Camp KKWC, a program providing active residential and day camping to underprivileged children. He is also involved in routine food drives, donating 30-60 pounds of food to local food banks. Each weekend in the summer, he joins fellow naturists, planting over 1000 trees and clearing weeds and shrubs from over 2.5 acres of trails. He works with the Cherry Hill Environmental Board maintaining walking trails in the township. When the weather turns cooler, Dinesh goes door to door collecting used pumpkins, donating them to Honeybrook Organic Farm for composting. The compost is donated to community gardens. Dinesh routinely volunteers at Book Smiles of South Jersey. Cherokee is a proud supporter of Book Smiles, collecting over 1000 books, but Dinesh goes a step further by sorting and organizing the books at the warehouse. Somehow, he finds time to volunteer tutor, organize bake sales and make cards and thank you bracelets for emergency responders as well.

Lila King has always been patient, compassionate, and confident. She has been very active in community service in a number of different organizations. She was a Sunday School teacher at the Fellowship Alliance Church, and she has also volunteered with the Seneca youth field hockey program. More recently, Lila has been volunteering at Heart of Surfing. Heart of Surfing is a nonprofit organization that offers free surfing and skate boarding lessons for families with autism and/or other developmental disabilities. Through this experience she has learned how to figure out her own values, be intrinsically motivated, and put aside her own challenges to focus on the needs of others.

Parent Honorees
The parent volunteers recognized for their service are (pictured left to right) Marybeth Baron (Lenape), Anthony Abbott (Shawnee), Craig Barlow (Cherokee), and Mary Friedman (Seneca).

Marybeth Baron is described by students and staff as dedicated, hard-working, generous, caring, helpful, selfless and extraordinary. In her service as an executive board member for the Theater Booster Club and President of the Lenape Band Parents Association, Marybeth has shown herself to be a dedicated volunteer and an outstanding leader. The impact she has had on the students of Lenape is truly impressive and the entire Lenape Family is very grateful for all of Marybeth’s contributions.

Anthony Abbott has served as the President of the Shawnee End Zone Club since January of 2019. During these past 4 years, Anthony has been a rock solid foundation for the officers, trustees, coaches, parents and players. He always puts the players in the forefront of every End Zone Club event and was a leader by example through the good times and the challenging times. His ability to help navigate 2020 was especially impressive, as we all worked to give our student-athletes the very best experience possible. There is no doubt the Shawnee End Zone Club and Football Program is in a better place because of Anthony Abbott’s leadership.

Craig Barlow started volunteer coaching in 1988 and hasn’t stopped. In addition to coaching Marlton Rec Baseball, Football, Lacrosse, Wrestling and their Sports Unity program, he has been on the Marlton Rec Council (MRC) Football Board for 21 years and the MRC Wrestling Commissioner for the last 20 years. Each year, Craig coordinates Cherokee’s MLK Wrestling tournament and is routinely a Cherokee Sports Announcer. Press Release Craig has not missed a Cherokee Football game since 2007! Craig has donated sports equipment to more locally disadvantaged families than we can count and has organized numerous clothing drives. He regularly donates to Cherokee’s Food Bank and is always there for anyone in need. He performs each and every act with grace, honor and of course, his overwhelming humility.

Mary Friedman has played a huge part in the success of both the Music Department and Theatre Program at Seneca High School. Mary is the mother of Seneca triplet seniors: Alex, Ben and Max. As a member of the Seneca Eagles Band Parents Association, she is an integral part of the parent pit crew. She is often seen assembling props needed for performances, providing refreshments for band members on competition days, and leading the admissions teams for the home competition. Mary has been active in fundraising to make sure the band has everything they need (and more) for competitions. For the past 4 years, we have been able to count on her as a part of our set crew and spending her time fundraising for the Theatre Program. She works with local businesses to help raise money for lights, sound, props, and supplies needed for the productions. She is seen organizing the “food crew”, who plan and provide meals for Seneca Theatre’s late rehearsals. Mary, along with her husband Bruce, helped their triplets to keep music at the center of their time here at Seneca.

“These individuals selflessly give their time and energy in support of others. We know that they do not seek, nor expect, recognition for their service, but we are honored to highlight their efforts and accomplishments,” said LRHSD Superintendent Carol Birnbohm, Ed.D. “Their leadership helps strengthen our district’s culture of civic engagement, because they inspire others to follow in their footsteps and incorporate service into their everyday lives.”