The Haddonfield Civic Association has since 1937 honored members of the community who’ve shown a commitment to public service and bettering the lives of others.
This year’s honoree at the association’s annual town dinner on April 9 was Lisa Wolschina, who was presented with the Alfred E. Driscoll Community Service Award. Four high-school students also earned scholarships for their academic and extracurricular achievements.
At the Tavistock Country Club event, students from Haddonfield Memorial High School’s music department played classical and jazz music, and Maddie Kehner, who later earned the Kaufmann Performing Arts Award, sang “Chiquitita” by ABBA.
Master of ceremonies Jack O’Malley took the stage to recognize former Driscoll Award winners, board of education members, commissioners and other attendees who’ve made contributions to the community.
“The reason we’re here tonight is to recognize, reward and applaud civic and community service,” he said.
The first scholarship announced was Kehner’s. It goes every year to a student – nominated by a school staffer – who not only represents talent in the performing arts, but also the spirit of helping others.
The Bradshaw Literacy Award went to Henry Cowan, who won the award’s essay competition. This year’s topic was in the form of a question: “The election for Haddonfield commissioners is this May 2025,” it noted. “If you were running for commissioner (and possibly mayor), what would your civic platform include, your priorities and why?”
Cowan’s essay, which he read aloud, focused on the importance of funding for historic preservation, creating more community service opportunities and involving students more in municipal government to avoid voter apathy among young people in Haddonfield.
“By placing students into important roles on projects being worked on by the borough, such as our candlelight shopping,” he wrote, “have them shadow important, elected officials in our town. We could inspire greater civic engagement that will last a lifetime.”
The final scholarship of the night, the Quanci Visual Arts Award, went to two students this year. Responding to the same essay question, students were encouraged to answer what their platform for commissioner would be, but express it in a visual way, accompanied by a short written explanation.
Jocelyn Dorsey and Ainsley Hochgertel were the award’s recipients. Dorsey’s piece was a pencil drawing of a young girl leaning on a bookshelf, arms folded and chin resting on top of them, staring upward, lost in thought. On either side of her face, she is framed by shelved books, with actual book pages glued to the paper for a mixed media element.
The piece represents library funding and education, which Dorsey would her platform if she were running for office.
“The library is a great place for Haddonfield residents, both young and old, to connect and socialize with each other,” she read from her essay. “I would also encourage families of Haddonfield to take advantage of all the library offers, such as online services, e-books and databases.”
Hochgertel’s piece emphasized the importance of open spaces for borough recreation with a brightly colored drawing of a girl smiling as she holds an orange slice in her mouth.
“However, as development continues to grow, these open spaces are becoming hotter and harder to find,” her essay stated. “Without the proper attention we risk losing these fields. That service is vital gathering spots for our community, where our youth develop their athletic abilities and where our families come together to celebrate the spirit of competition and camaraderie.”
After all scholarships were awarded, it was time to honor Wolschina with the Driscoll Award. The former teacher and current real estate professional volunteers with a number of organizations and causes around town, including the Haddonfield Educational Trust, the Cathedral Kitchen and the Fortnightly’s Women in Arts program.
“She’s the first to step up and have her business sponsor any charitable event in town,” O’Malley told dinner attendees. “But more importantly, she doesn’t just sponsor. She volunteers to make things happen”
Wolschina fought back tears as she thanked those in town who’ve had an impact on her life. She also highlighted her family’s altruism, including an animal shelter run by her grandmother, her mother’s volunteerism at nursing homes and the family’s donations to needy families at Christmas.
Wolschina also noted that she and her three sisters spent at least part of their careers in service sectors like teaching and social work.
“It’s just in the blood,” she remarked. “And despite the fact that I’m 53 and three-quarters years old, I think my parents would still ground me somehow if I stopped volunteering.
“I’m humbled to be recognized among such a distinguished group of individuals, and I promise to continue doing everything I can to support 08033,” Wolschina said, referring to the borough’s zip code. “It’s not a perfect place, but I don’t know anywhere that is, and it thrives on the contributions of our citizens.
“Let’s all keep working together to inspire future generations to always give back.”
