The township of North Bergen recently honored Samantha Lugo, a guidance counselor at North Bergen High School for her years of community service work. A counselor at the school for more than twenty years, Lugo was recognized for her dedication and leadership in advancing community health, youth engagement, and volunteerism. She has played a pivotal role in fostering positive change within the township and was awarded the prestigious 2024 W. Cary Edwards Statewide Volunteer of the Year Award. According to a press release from the municipality, she is the first recipient of this award from Hudson County.
Upon receiving her recognition at the township’s recent Commission meeting, Lugo stated, “To be recognized by my community, my county and the state I have lived and grown up in is such a pleasure. I’m sure I can speak for all of us that do this work when I say we do this because we love it and being allowed to work with the youth in my community is genuinely a privilege. I’d like to thank Mayor Sacco for this honor and to all officials who have made this possible.”
Lugo has been a member of the North Bergen Township Municipal Alliance for more than five years, during which the community has become a recipient of a federal Drug-Free Communities Grant. Through her efforts, the township has witnessed an extraordinary surge in youth volunteerism, particularly with Alliance. Lugo also serves as Moderator of the Youth Task Force, where she coordinates student volunteers for key community initiatives, including the township’s Safe Spot Program.
“This program is a really great idea and it’s something all municipalities should have been doing a long time ago,” said North Bergen Coordinator from the Municipal Alliance, Nick Biamonte. “Retailers now have more detailed guidance so that we can work together as a community to keep tobacco out of young people’s hands.”
The press release adds, “In addressing critical health challenges, Samantha Lugo led efforts to combat underage access to tobacco and vaping products through the North Bergen Tobacco Age of Sale Enforcement (T.A.S.E.) program. By demonstrating to elected officials that local merchants were selling these products to minors, Samantha played an instrumental role in the development of a stand-alone North Bergen Tobacco License, which is scheduled to take effect in 2025. The license will help the local health department to monitor and regulate all tobacco sales in the community.”
Mayor Nicholas Sacco praised Samantha’s achievements, stating, “Samantha Lugo has set an example of what true community leadership looks like. Her work has directly improved the lives of our youth and families, and we are incredibly grateful for her efforts in creating a healthier and safer North Bergen.”
North Bergen Superintendent of Schools Dr. George Solter also expressed admiration, saying, “Samantha’s dedication to our students is unparalleled. She has not only guided our youth academically and emotionally but has inspired them to become active, engaged members of our community. Her work with the Municipal Alliance and the Safe Spot Program reflects her deep commitment to the success and well-being of our students.”
Congratulations to Samantha Lugo for her dedication, commitment and recognition.