At Becton Regional High School, there are students who go above and beyond, quietly helping others without seeking attention or praise. One such student is senior Emily Augustyn, whose dedication to her community and school makes her truly deserving of Bergen County’s Unsung Hero award.
Augustyn’s story begins with her natural quietness. Growing up as a shy and reserved person, she did not seek the spotlight; however, she realized that her quiet nature allowed her to see the world from a different perspective. “Growing up as ‘that shy girl,’ I tended to observe my peers, and through these observations, I discovered that each person has fascinating qualities unique to them.” She explains, offering why she urges to aid others, “Through my ability to see things from an outsider’s perspective and notice what others might overlook, I realized I could help and advocate for my peers to become the best versions of themselves.”
Augustyn has been involved in many activities that have positively impacted Becton. One of her proudest achievements is founding the History Club and fostering an inclusive atmosphere. For example, last year, a friend mentioned that another student was hesitant to join the club due to nervousness about attending meetings. Having experienced similar insecurities herself, Augustyn understood the fear. “I made it my goal to present the club as fun, accepting, and welcoming as possible,” she said. Thanks to Augustyn’s efforts, the student she supported is still an active member of the History Club today.
In addition to her work with the History Club, Augustyn is involved in many other activities. She is the Volunteer Manager at her town’s Historical Society Museum, a frequent volunteer at the public library and community garden in Carlstadt, and the Secretary of the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society at Becton. She is also a member of several other clubs, including the Philosophy Club, Images Magazine and the Gay-Straight Alliance Club. Augustyn’s dedication to both her community and school has inspired many of her peers.
Balancing all of these activities with schoolwork is no easy task. Augustyn admits that, at times, she has overworked herself, especially as she holds two jobs. However, through a combination of her own experiences and advice from friends, she has learned to manage her time better by making sure to balance fun and productivity.
She notes, “For me, I will admit, I have the problem of not being able to differentiate work and what is supposed to be fun, because I oftentimes do things that are intended to be fun– such as drawing, or my job as a tour guide and historic educator, while still having the goal of entertaining and educating people through my endeavors.”
Despite this challenge, Augustyn reminds herself that everything she is doing always feels worth it, “It just brings me an abundance of joy knowing that a drawing that I posted can inspire another artist like myself to create something similar, or for someone that I am educating on a tour to ask questions and to understand history better because of information that I am relaying to them through storytelling.”
When asked about the people who inspire her, Augustyn relays that she does not look to others for inspiration in the traditional sense. Instead, she draws inspiration from the people around her, her classmates– who are leaders in their own right– whether they are student-athletes, academic achievers, or members of the community. “I wish not only to be like them, but to help them – notably Becton’s underclassmen – to get to the places that they want to be.”
“One aspect that Augustyn finds especially meaningful about Becton is the school’s diversity in cultures, races, and abilities, and the sense of inclusion within our community. “As someone who works with my town’s historical society as well as works at a museum, the contrast between the preceding decades and the present time is immense. Walking through Becton’s hallways, you can see a diverse group of people—students from various backgrounds and cultures. Yet despite any differences, everyone is very accepting of each other and that is truly special.” Augustyn believes that the kindness and acceptance shown by her peers are what make everyone at Becton a hero in their own way.
Augustyn offers some advice for those who want to make a positive impact, “Never rid of the overwhelming empathy and love that you have for others and the greater world. There is a special reward for those who choose to love unconditionally, and there is an inner satisfaction and peace in doing so. If more people rise to the occasion to be the silent helper that others need, then maybe our combined effort will bring us, not just steps but bounds, forward into making the world a better place.”
Augustyn’s story is one of quiet strength, compassion and a deep love for helping others. Her selflessness and dedication to her school and community are what truly make Emily Augustyn an Unsung Hero!
