For exhibiting generosity, compassion, inclusiveness, and other qualities of benevolence, South River High School senior Juliana Marques received a 2025 Greater Middlesex Conference Kindness Counts Award.
The honor was bestowed upon Marques, a soccer and softball player, during the conference’s 24th annual Sportsmanship Awards luncheon at the Pines Manor in Edison on April 9.
The Peter Fund and The Marisa Tufaro Foundation, who sponsor the award, presented Marques with a commemorative plaque and $500 to donate in her name to a charity of her choice that assists Middlesex County children in need.
Marques has selected The Children’s Hospital at Saint Peter’s University Hospital as her beneficiary.
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 in November 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, an Edison High School alumnus, 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.
MARQUES EPITOMIZES AWARD’S SPIRIT
Selected from a pool of outstanding nominees, Marques epitomizes the spirit of the Kindness Counts Award.
Marques captained the girls soccer and cheerleading teams at South River. After serving as the girls basketball team manager as a sophomore and junior, she joined the squad as a player and earned a varsity letter this past season.
“Having her on the court this year is one of the best things to happen to our team,” South River girls basketball coach Nicky Cacoilo-Curran said. “She always offers words of encouragement in times of struggle and ensures that the freshmen feel included and welcomed to the program. She always offers a ride home to her teammates and continuously supports them and makes sure they’re okay. She truly makes everyone know that they have a friend in her.”
Cacoilo-Curran, who also coaches cheerleading at the high school, said Marques always offered to help younger cheerleaders, showing them new skills and teaching them cheers.
“Her patience and compassion is what made our new cheerleaders feel supported and welcomed to the team,” Cacoilo-Curran said. “Her ability to teach and assist her peers helped make the cheer season successful and smooth.
“There are not enough words to describe the incredible student, athlete, and person that Juliana Marques is,” Cacoilo-Curran said. “She is a responsible and kind student-athlete that continuously strives for success.”
President of the National Honor Society, through which Marques volunteers in the community, “it isn’t a surprise that she wants to continue to help people and pursue a nursing career,” Cacoilo-Curran said.
South River girls soccer coach Donald Minto said Marques’ character and compassion shine brightly in every aspect of her life.
“Juliana is someone who consistently demonstrates extraordinary kindness and inclusivity, making a profound impact on everyone around her,” Minto said. “Whether through her role as a translator, tutor, volunteer, or event organizer, she continuously goes above and beyond to help others, embodying the values of community and service with grace and dedication.”
Marques offers translation services at the high school for new students, many of whom are newcomers to the country and may not yet be fluent in English, which can create a barrier to feeling truly integrated into the school community.
“Juliana, who is fluent in Portuguese, takes it upon herself to bridge that gap, helping these students feel more comfortable and supported as they navigate their new environment,” Minto said. “Her willingness to step into this role demonstrates her deep empathy and her desire to make others feel welcome and valued.”
In addition to her work as a translator, Marques tutors middle school students in core subjects, further exemplifying her commitment to uplifting others.
“She dedicates her time and energy to helping students who may struggle academically, providing them with the tools and guidance they need to succeed,” Minto said. “Her patience, understanding, and ability to explain complex concepts in an accessible way are a testament to her remarkable teaching abilities. She not only fosters academic growth in her peers but also helps them develop the confidence they need to believe in their own potential.”
Beyond academics, Juliana demonstrates her passion for helping others by volunteering at Spotlight Dance, where she has been teaching kids since the time they were in Pre-K to now being in the third grade.
“Through this experience, Juliana not only imparts her love for dance but also nurtures the personal growth of the young dancers under her care,” Minto said. “She creates an inclusive environment where all children feel valued and encouraged, regardless of their experience level. Her dedication to fostering a positive, supportive atmosphere speaks to her natural ability to lead with kindness and understanding.”
Juliana has taken on a significant leadership role by organizing the Class of 2025’s Mr. South River fundraiser.
“This event requires tremendous planning, organization, and a genuine desire to make a difference, and Juliana has approached this responsibility with remarkable initiative and grace,” Minto said. “She has been influential in putting together the dance routines for the contestants, writing the script for the announcers and as a freshman running the lights. By coordinating this fundraiser, she has shown her ability to bring people together for a common cause, while also demonstrating her commitment to giving back to her school. Her efforts reflect her exceptional character and her deep sense of responsibility to those around her.”
Minto said Marques, through her every action, exemplifies what it means to be a compassionate and inclusive individual.
“She has made an undeniable impact on the lives of those fortunate enough to know her,” Minto said, “and her extraordinary character is a true inspiration to all.”
HONORING PETER’S MEMORY
Often looked up to as leaders, student-athletes are sometimes 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 Bonn Elchoness, 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.”
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 involved in myriad extracurricular activities who lived an inspirational life.
With incredible support from Greater Middlesex Conference schools, the foundation bearing Marisa’s name has donated more than $375,000 to fulfill its mission.
The nonprofit has also spearheaded drives that have generated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, 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 $33,000 in scholarships to 42 exceptional Middlesex County high school seniors and sent 27 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli 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 are grateful for the opportunity to celebrate student-athletes who mirror Peter’s benevolent nature with the Kindness Counts Award.”