DEMAREST — Bergen County Clerk John S. Hogan recently presented the Five-Star Student Award to Elizabeth Maxwell, a senior at Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, recognizing her extensive work in public health, emergency medicine, education, and community service.
Maxwell turned her personal recovery from an eating disorder into a broader effort to improve youth health education. She founded the Youth Eating Disorder Committee under the New Jersey chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, where she has shared her experiences and research with pediatricians, nurses, and school professionals across the state.
Her service also extends into emergency medicine. Maxwell serves as an Emergency Medical Responder and has logged extensive hours in patient care, training, and equipment inspections. As co-president of her school’s EMS Club, she helped grow the program into one of the school’s largest student organizations while coordinating CPR and Narcan training for students.
Maxwell has also been active in education and environmental outreach. She has taught water safety as a head swim coach and worked as a junior docent at the Bergen County Zoo, helping guide children and families through environmental education programs.
Through peer mentoring, library programming, and youth advisory roles, Maxwell has also helped develop mental health and wellness initiatives that have reached hundreds of students.
Hogan presented Maxwell with a certificate and a $1,000 award from the John S. Hogan Foundation.
The Five-Star Student Award is presented twice each year to recognize Bergen County high school students for exceptional achievements, including community service, entrepreneurship, and overcoming adversity while giving back to their communities.
Students interested in applying can find information at bergencountyclerk.gov.