P.J. Gelinas Junior High School ninth grader Joe Nizza was recently honored by the Suffolk County Legislature based on his leadership in helping to raise thousands of dollars for the American Cancer Society and to fund a scholarship for Ward Melville High School graduates.

Joe was honored with a proclamation from Kara Hahn for his fundraising efforts in memory of his mother. Last spring, Joseph made a presentation at each of the Gelinas spring concerts and raised donations from the audience. As a result of the community’s generosity, $2,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society and another $8,000 was collected to build a scholarship that will be given to a graduating high school female student who is pursuing a career in a medical field like his mother, who had been a local doctor.