Please see video attached: Hi, my name is Sylvia Buccini, and I’m a senior at North Hunterdon High School. Community service has always been one of the most important parts of my life because I’ve seen firsthand how even the smallest acts of kindness and support can completely change someone’s experience. Growing up, my parents were my biggest inspiration when it came to giving back. Ever since I was little I can remember joining the Raritan Watershed Association to help clean our local waterways. At the time, it may have seemed like a small thing to spend a day cleaning up trash, but those experiences taught me something much bigger. They showed me that strong communities are built when people care enough to take action. I learned that helping others is not something you do once in a while, but something you choose to make part of your life. As I got older, I discovered a passion that truly shaped who I am today, which is working with students and athletes with special needs. What started as simply wanting to help quickly became something deeply meaningful to me. Through the Hunterdon Ballers program, I taught basketball skills to athletes with disabilities and saw how much confidence, joy, and connection sports could create. I also became heavily involved in the Unified programs at North Hunterdon High School, participating in Unified Bowling, Soccer, and Basketball. Those experiences changed my perspective completely. I realized that inclusion is about far more than just allowing someone to participate. It’s about making sure every person feels valued, supported, and genuinely connected. One of the most meaningful parts of my high school experience has been coaching for the Special Olympics and participating in programs like Lunch Buddies, where I spend lunch every day with a student with special needs. While those moments may seem simple from the outside, they have taught me some of the biggest lessons about friendship, patience, empathy, and leadership. I’ve learned that sometimes the most important thing you can give someone is your time, your attention, and the feeling that they truly belong. Beyond athletics, I’ve also worked to support my community through events and organizations that bring people together for important causes. I’ve helped organize and participate in Relay for Life, the “Because of Joey” fundraiser, Friendship Day, Interact Club activities, and served as a student ambassador at my school. In every role I’ve taken on, my goal has always been the same: to help create an environment where people feel welcomed, included, and supported. The values that Coach Bob Bartnett stood for: leadership, mentorship, service, and using athletics to positively impact others, are truly values that resonate deeply with me. Like Coach Bartnett, I believe sports can teach lessons that go far beyond the game itself. Athletics have taught me the importance of teamwork, resilience, compassion, and lifting others up. The athletes and students I’ve worked with have honestly inspired me just as much as I hope I’ve inspired them. They’ve shown me the power of positivity, perseverance, and genuine connection. These experiences are a huge reason why I plan to pursue a degree in social work at West Chester University. In my adult life, I hope to continue advocating for individuals with special needs and expanding programs that promote inclusion, connection, and equal opportunities for everyone. I want to dedicate my career to helping people feel seen, heard, and supported and especially those who are too often overlooked. Community service is important to me because it creates a lasting impact. It builds relationships, strengthens communities, and reminds people that they matter. I truly believe that leadership is not about recognition or titles. It’s about using your time, energy, and compassion to make life better for someone else.