‘Unsung Hero’ At Montclair High School Inspires Community

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A local student recently earned a well-deserved tip of the hat as an “unsung hero” of Montclair High School.

The Essex County School Boards Association (ECSBA) is shining a well-deserved spotlight on some humble-yet-inspiring young people as part of its 2024 Unsung Heroes awards, which were done in partnership with the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA).

The annual recognition ceremony – now in its eighth year – pays tribute to students who might not always be in the spotlight, but whose presence is a “beacon of inspiration and strength.”

“These students have demonstrated exceptional character through overcoming adversity, providing quiet leadership, and achieving personal and academic success against the odds,” the association says.

This year’s honorees include Husyar Koleoglu of Montclair High School.

According to the ECSBA, here’s a testimonial about this standout student’s inspiring journey:

“Coming to The United States of America in 2020 from Turkey while there was a global pandemic was the most pivotal point in Husyar Koleoglu’s life. Having to learn a new language, culture, and educational system in a short period of time was just the beginning of the adversity she would face. Moving to a new country without her mother forced her to take on additional responsibilities, mature quickly, and teach herself new skills, such as cooking. With a younger brother to look after, Husyar was committed to being the best role model she could be. Her ability to adapt to change and accept that this is now her new reality is admirable for her young age. Husyar has an incredible amount of inner strength to physically and emotionally pull herself together and tackle the challenges that she was being faced with.

“Her first year in high school she struggled academically due to the setbacks in language and systematic barriers. Husyar did not let this get in the way of her success and instead hit the ground running to turn her grades around. Her go-getter attitude and goal oriented mindset provided her with the tools necessary to overcome adversity. She is consistently willing to go outside of her comfort zone in pursuit of knowledge and engage with everyone she meets. She's truly following through with her ever-present goal of immersing herself in the culture she is now part of. Husyar’s ties to her roots in Turkey led to her starting a club at Montclair High School for other fellow Turkish students to join and establish a community for each other. Husyar has had to view life in many different perspectives and exemplifies what it means to be brave. Her perseverance has allowed her to come out on top of her fears and never doubt what she is capable of.

“With a desire to study business, Husyar’s excellent communication skills, creativity, and contagious enthusiasm will help her thrive in her future endeavors. I could not be more proud of all Husyar has contributed to and accomplished. She embodies what it means to be resilient and never give up when life gets hard. The positive energy and big smile that she carries with her everytime she walks into a room is one of a kind. I hope everyone has the opportunity to experience and get to know Husyar Koleoglu for the kind hearted and incredible young lady she is.”

“It is our pleasure to pay tribute to these extraordinary students who have inspired us, brought joy and hope to our schools, helped guide other students, and taught us all the most important lessons in life –the importance of determination, courage, kindness and perseverance,” NJSBA executive director Timothy Purnell said.

“These students embody the spirit of resilience and dedication that often goes unnoticed,” agreed Reginald Bledsoe, president of the Essex County School Boards Association.

“Their stories are not just inspiring; they are a testament to the power of tenacity, kindness, and hard work,” Bledsoe added. “They are the unsung heroes who make our schools a better place daily.”

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