As the recipient of a Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award, New Brunswick High School’s Alanna Beltre Reyes received $500 from The Peter Fund and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation to donate in her name to the charity of her choice that assists Middlesex County children in need.

For exhibiting compassion, generosity, inclusiveness, and other qualities of benevolence, Beltre Reyes, captain of the bowling team and manager of the varsity softball squad, 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 24th Annual Dan Hayston Memorial Sportsmanship Awards Luncheon at The Pines Manor in Edison.

Over the past three years, a total of 13 Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Awards have been presented, enabling the recipients to donate a total of $6,500 to charities benefiting local children in need.

Beltre Reyes has selected the Raritan Bay Area YMCA in Perth Amboy as the beneficiary of her donation.

“I have known Alanna since her freshman year, when she first joined our Hispanic Culture Club, and I have had the privilege of watching her grow into an exceptional student leader,” said Jessicka Oviedo, the bowling team’s head coach and the Hispanic Culture Club’s faculty advisor.

“Over the years, she has taken on numerous roles including leader of the Sazón Latino Podcast, Hispanic Culture Club, bowling team captain, National Honor Society member, AVID student, Zebra Ambassador, softball manager, and more. In every space she enters, Alanna leads with integrity, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to others.

“Alanna embodies extraordinary character through her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone and uplift those around her. Born in the Dominican Republic, English was her second language, yet she never allowed that challenge to limit her growth. Instead, she pushed boundaries, embraced new opportunities, and excelled academically and socially. When our bowling program was reintroduced, Alanna​, who had never bowled before,​ took a chance, fell in love with the sport, and returned the following season eager to improve and support her teammates. Her dedication, positivity, and leadership ultimately led to her being nominated as team captain. Even on days when she was not feeling her best, Alanna consistently showed up for others, cheering on her teammates and putting their needs before her own.

“Alanna’s compassion and inclusivity shine most clearly through her work in the Hispanic Culture Club. I have witnessed her go out of her way to welcome new students, especially those who may feel intimidated or out of place. She makes intentional efforts to include students who do not speak Spanish, often using humor to help them feel comfortable and at ease. She has shared her own food, given school tours to new students, and stepped in wherever help was needed because she truly believes that everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging. Her actions are never performative​, they are genuine reflections of her character.

“Alanna is a student we can count on for anything. She has helped organize fundraisers, supported club initiatives, and hosted podcast sessions that provide students with a safe space to relax, decompress, and feel heard. She is kind, responsible, selfless, and endlessly supportive. Alanna leads with her heart, and her impact on our school community is both meaningful and lasting.”

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 on Nov. 12, 2022, 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.

To honor their son’s memory, Dave, an Edison High School alumnus (Class of ’89), and Eve founded The Peter Fund, whose mission is to support efforts to increase compassion, generosity, kindness, and sportsmanship, especially among young people.

The nonprofit created the Kindness Counts Award and an accompanying online nomination process to recognize extraordinary teens who demonstrate those qualities.

The first set of awards were presented in May 2023 to Peter’s senior classmates at Niwot High School in Colorado.

Peter’s parents, who are working to expand the program nationally, have now included much of Boulder County, Col., and partnered in 2024 with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in New Jersey to establish an annual Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award, which honors student-athletes from the league.

Nominees from the Greater Middlesex Conference’s 36 member schools whose sportsmanlike conduct transcends the playing field to high school campuses and beyond – filtering into classrooms, hallways, communities, and even at home – were considered for the 2026 Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award.

“It’s never been more apparent that we need more kindness, understanding and treating each other with respect as we do right now,” Greater Middlesex Conference Executive Director Frank Noppenberger said. “The Kindness Counts Award is a wonderful way of promoting and rewarding extraordinary acts of kindness, citizenship, volunteerism, inclusivity, empathy, charity, and sportsmanship.”

Student-athletes, many of whom are looked up to as leaders, are often held to a higher standard. The manner in which they conduct themselves reflects upon the name that appears on the back and front of their jerseys. Student-athletes, such as Peter, who as an accomplished fencer qualified for the Junior Olympics, can make a difference outside the competitive arena.

“Simply put, Peter is no longer here but the world desperately needs more of what he did during his lifetime,” said Dave Elchoness, noting that despite Peter’s untimely passing, his legacy of honorable deeds continues.

“To be able to honor Peter’s memory by presenting this award to student-athletes in Middlesex County, a place where I no longer live but for which I will always feel a deep fondness, is profoundly meaningful.”

The Peter Fund offers support and encourages teen-centered programs that enhance understanding, compassion, generosity of spirit, and simple kindness. The nonprofit’s focus is on efforts relating to basic respect, anti-bullying, mental health, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Dave Elchoness is a friend and former Edison High School classmate of Cyndi Tufaro, who along with her husband Greg founded The Marisa Tufaro Foundation in memory of their inspirational daughter to assist pediatric patients and children in need throughout the greater Middlesex County area.

Born with a severe cardiac defect, Marisa survived six open-heart surgeries and a heart transplant before succumbing in 2017 to a rare form of cancer. She was just 13 years old.

Despite being hospitalized for more than two years and maintaining hundreds of doctors’ appointments, Marisa was an Edison Township Public Schools honor roll student who lived an inspirational life.

With incredible support from Greater Middlesex Conference schools, the foundation bearing Marisa’s name has donated nearly $450,000 to fulfill its mission.

The nonprofit has also spearheaded drives that have generated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, children’s books, baby supplies, school supplies, and other items for donation upon which it has placed no monetary value.

In addition, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has awarded $36,500 in scholarships to 50 exceptional Middlesex County high school seniors and sent 31 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.

“Out of an unfathomable tragedy, the Bonn-Elchoness family has found an ineffably meaningful way to keep alive Peter’s indomitable spirit,” Cyndi Tufaro said. “The Marisa Tufaro Foundation is honored to partner with The Peter Fund and the Greater Middlesex Conference on this important initiative.

“We welcome the opportunity to celebrate student-athletes who never met Peter but mirror his benevolent nature.”