The Hopewell Valley Central High School Class of 2022, along with our teacher advisors Ms. Dykty and Ms. Golkov, wanted to do something to help our community during COVID-19. Class officers Beth Hooks, Isabella Randazzo, Kyle Mason, Sofia Zangrilli, Mea Allex, Emilie Sawicki, and Christopher Sawicki held a sale of “Hopewell Strong” T-shirts, and relied on social media and a flyer for digital distribution to get the word out. Aztek Graphics, a local printing company and small business, was able get the T-shirts printed using COVID-19 safety protocols.
Mayor Joseph Lawver of Pennington met with us over Zoom to hear our thoughts about how to distribute the money raised (over $10,000). The class did not receive any profits from this fundraiser, as we decided to donate all the proceeds to almost 40 small businesses that generously donated to our class of 2022 fundraisers over the past two years.
The officers hand-delivered checks over the last few weeks, and the gratitude from each of the small businesses was overwhelming. Though we wish we could have helped more people and businesses in the community, we know we were able to make a few people smile with each delivery we made.
Left to right: Emilie Sawicki, Sofia Zangrilli, Beth Hooks, Ed Gola representing Uncle Ed’s, Mea Allex, Chris Sawicki, and Kyle Mason 
Emilie Sawicki, Mike Schwartz of Mike Schwartz Photography, and Chris Sawicki 
Beata Giermasinska of Amber Spa and Beth Hooks 
Beth Hooks with Antimo Iovine of Antimo’s Italian Kitchen 
Karen Marino of the Village Salon with Emilie Sawicki and Chris Sawicki 
Emilie Sawicki and Chris Sawicki with Violetta Neri of Hopewell Valley Vineyards 
Emilie Sawicki and Chris Sawicki with Pennington Bagel’s Dawn Blauth 
Pennington Golf Center’s Rick Lutzow with Emilie Sawicki and Chris Sawicki 
Sofia Zangrilli with Capelli’s Joey Festa 
Emilie Sawicki, Chris Sawicki, and Logan Francey, with Steve Z. and Kyle Remboske, of Old Glory 
Tomatello’s Harold Tello with Mea Allex 
Manny Quijada, Mario Quijada of Marco’s Pizzeria with Emilie Sawicki and Chris Sawicki 
PEAC’s Michael Briehler and Doug Steinly with Emilie Sawicki and Chris Sawicki 
Wildflowers owner Jackie Mathers with Chris Sawicki and Emilie Sawicki 
John Procaccini of Osteria Procaccini with Emilie Sawicki and Chris Sawicki
Submitted by Class of 2022 historians (and intrepid MercerMe sports reporters!) Christopher Sawicki and Emilie Sawicki
What a lovely group of young people! Such a heartwarming initiative. Between the book swap and this program I hope all of our residents are equally proud and appreciative of the generous spirit displayed by our neighbors during a very difficult time. They have chosen to be positive and open their arms to their communities. Thank you! Let’s all keep shopping and dining and supporting our local businesses (who pay taxes and provide jobs!)