Public Leadership Upstander Award
Sheriff Michael Mastronardy has been working on cultural diversity issues since early in his career. As Sheriff his department partners with the prosecutor's office on the Hate has no home here initiative. In recent years he has travelled to Poland for a commemoration of the Nazi death march and to Israel soon after the 10/7 massacre.
Organizational Upstander Award
Christ Episcopal Church helps the homeless and needy with a food pantry. They provide ministry or a safe space to those battling addiction, the LGBTQ community and other at risk populations. Christ Church provides loving setting for all of our brothers and sisters in the surrounding communities offering friendship, fellowship, discussions and friends.
Student Leadership Upstander Award in memory of Hersh Goldberg-Polin
Danny Hoffman served as the Executive Student Body President, Founder of the Student Advisory Committee, and the Student Liasion to the Barnegat Board of Education at Barnegat High School. Across these positions, he regularly spoke up for groups of students rendered voiceless at a time when student input was vital. Danny advocated for positive reform and greater enrichment of the local special needs program, garnering media attention. Danny also fought against the countless repeals of inclusive policies and practices throughout the district whilst consulting student opinions via the Student Advisory Committee. He was also selected as a Youth "Changemaker" for the Garden State Equality Conference, and as a delegate for the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Summit. Danny was a founding member and the first Youth Director at Barnegat Pride. Danny is in his first-year at The Pennsylvania State University - University Park, studying Education & Public Policy and International Politics. At Penn State, Danny continues to serve as a Student Advocate for Lion Caucus, as a member of the First-Year Council, and as a Research Assistant in the College of Education. Danny hopes to, one day, fix systemic gaps and issues with accessibility in education, across the world.
Heroes Against Hate Honor Roll
