By Thania Rubio

Everyone loves that one teacher that pushes and helps us in our academics. But what happens when our own peers step in?  Well, that is what STRIVE is all about. STRIVE stands for Students & Teachers Reviving the Innovation Value of Education. Teachers and students come together as one to help to guide students and improve their academic performances.

STRIVE has different activities to accomplish this goal, including one of the most successful ones, THE ZERO FREE CHALLENGE.

Countless students have shown improvement through this challenge. To keep encouraging our students to do better in school, we reward them with a STRIVE certificate and a prize. STRIVE also recently had their sixth annual STRIVE Awards Ceremony on May 26.

Prior to the event, teachers from Lincoln Middle School and Passaic High School were given the opportunity to nominate one student who demonstrated notable improvement or outstanding performance throughout the school year.

Over 70 students were presented with awards by their proud teachers, as parents and peers cheered them on.

In addition, three STRIVE seniors were awarded book scholarships.
The keynote speaker, Diana Esparragoza, of class of 2011 and recent graduate of Rutgers University, shared her story of determination and encouraged students to continue striving.

The ceremony was followed by a reception in the cafeteria. It was a wonderful celebration of academic excellence and school pride. If you have not already, join STRIVE!

STRIVE 2016 Award Recipients

Grade 7
Chris Alvarez
Carol Amado
Kevin Chavez
Gilbely De Sala
Nerida Delgado
Christian Gomez
David Herrera
Tony Martel Castillo
Edwin Mellado
Edgar Ramirez
Arlene Zuniga

Grade 8
Alexa Aguilar
Lesly Balbuena
Hilda Bermejo
Angela Claudio
Destiny Colmenares
Edwin Crisostomo
Smerlin Cruz
Alondra Dominguez
Jael Hilario
Leslie Martinez
Langston Owens
Ruby Perez
Ervin Valladares

Grade 9
Tonanziht Aguas
Beckny Aguilar
Aleyshka Barbosa
Thais Carino
Yamalit Familia
Manuel Giraldo
Jessica Guizar
Stephen Mejia
Joseph Mercedes
Jose Metivier
Matthew Montoya
Oscar Olalde
Yeimi Tula
Jamilynn Vasquez

Grade 10
Nairovis Acevedo-Pichardo
Enedina Bonilla
Marelby Cazarez-Batalla
Xiao Man Chen
Janitza Colon
Jean Corral
Angel Mendez
Sebastian Pascencia
Niurka Pelaez
Ashley Peralta
Israel Pineda
Jim Reina
Andy Rodriguez
Jhericson Taveras

Grade 11
Jocelyn Diaz
Ezequiel Estevez
Evelyn Estrada
Lisbeth Figueroa
Bryanna Matos
Yanquel Pereyra

Grade 12
Maricela Barrera
Jenifer Cortes
Jonathan Diaz
Arielena Duran
Vania Martinez
Carolina Plasencia
Miguel Reyes
Jonathan Reynoso
Lizmarie Reynoso-Castillo
Jonathan Rodriguez

STRIVE Book Scholarship Recipients
Gema Castro
Nathanael
Reyes Genesis Santo