On Tuesday night, the Essex County School Boards Association honored Jude Ford, a Verona High School senior, as one of Essex County’s “Unsung Heroes.”
“Jude is an interesting student at VHS because he is the type of student who comes to school to learn, but his learning is not motivated by grades,” VHS Principal Josh Cogdill said at the ceremony, which was held at Science Park High School in Newark. “Jude really cares about growing and his passion for learning is intrinsic. Jude is highly intelligent and does not receive the accolades because his grades do not match his intellect or passion for learning.”
“In addition to caring about learning, he cares how he treats others,” Cogdill added. “Jude’s empathy for others is admired and as he has been seen helping students and treating students with kindness. Finally, Jude is very talented but his talent on guitar is not really recognized in the school setting because his instrument of choice is not officially part of the school’s program of studies. For all of these reasons, Jude really is an unsung hero and someone who makes our school richer.”
