As the recipient of a Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award, North Brunswick High School’s Jomar Mena received $500 from The Peter Fund and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation to donate in his name to the charity of his choice that assists Middlesex County children in need.
Mena selected The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.
For exhibiting compassion, generosity, inclusiveness, and other qualities of benevolence, Mena was one of four student-athletes from the conference selected as a Kindness Counts Award recipient.
Each of the four honorees received a commemorative plaque during the Greater Middlesex Conference’s 23rd Annual Sportsmanship Awards Luncheon at The Pines Manor in Edison.
Mena’s gregarious personality in and out of the wrestling room enabled him to make friends across the Greater Middlesex Conference.
“He goes out of his way to meet new people,” North Brunswick High School head coach David Saley said of the recently graduated senior. “He’s a little bit of a (wrestling) club hopper. At weigh-ins (before matches) he always knows somebody. He has friends all around and on every team.”
Inside North Brunswick’s diverse wrestling program, which features student-athletes from multiple countries and of various faiths, Mena was just as outgoing. He developed a natural interest in the cultures and traditions of teammates.
“Jomar has never been asked to do these things,” Saley said of Mena, who will wrestle at Castleton University in Vermont. “He just finds a way to incorporate his teammates into his life, which tends to be very busy.”
Saley was most impressed, however, with a relationship Mena developed with a special needs wrestler in the program.
In addition to serving as his training partner on the mat, Mena escorted the special needs wrestler to the bathroom, befriended him on bus rides, and ensured the young grappler felt welcome in the program and the school’s hallways.
“Jomar spends time with our special needs wrestler, helping him craft his wrestling skills to the best of his ability,” Saley said. “Jomar demonstrates patience and leadership qualities while working with this special needs wrestler.”
The Kindness Counts Award was established in loving memory of high school student-athlete Peter Bonn-Elchoness, who died suddenly and without warning in his sleep from a rare disease that causes damage to the heart.
The 17-year-old from Niwot, Colorado was renowned throughout his school-community as a magnetic presence and gifted student-athlete who always looked out for others.
Shortly after his passing just 18 months ago, Peter’s family learned even more about his generosity of spirit through condolence letters they received from his classmates. Among other acts, Peter stood up to bullies, supported kids in crisis, and rooted for teammates and competitors.
His parents, Dave Elchoness and Eve Bonn, were told Peter saved lives. Dave and Eve established The Peter Fund, a nonprofit that encourages young people to mirror their son’s kind nature.
Peter’s father, Dave, an Edison High School alumnus, traveled nearly 1,800 miles to return to his hometown to present Mena with the award.
“Jomar is an excellent candidate for this award,” Saley said. “Jomar takes the time to lead his team as a captain with extraordinary character. He maintains a positive attitude with his teammates, leading by example on the mat as well as in the classroom.
“Furthermore, Jomar takes the time to come to youth practice to donate his time to help the next generation of our wrestling program.”
Mena placed fourth in the 2024 Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament and qualified for the Region V Tournament each of the past three years. He concluded the 2023-24 campaign with a 24-10 record but made a more profound impact off the mat.
“He is a positive role model for the younger athletes on the team,” Saley said. “He demonstrates kindness and compassion every day.”