During a stellar four-year career with the reigning Greater Middlesex Conference Blue Division champion South River High School baseball team, Brendan Lell posted some impressive numbers.
The senior, who pitched and played the outfield, struck out 132 batters over 123 innings and drove home 48 runs on 65 hits.
More impressive than his performance on the diamond, however, was Lell’s efforts in the classroom and in the community.
Owner of a 4.825 grade-point average who ranks fourth in his graduating class, Lell is president of the National Honor Society and in his third year as class treasurer.
His impressive resume includes more than 100 documented hours of community service with much of his volunteerism supporting children in need.
“Throughout my life, balancing academics, athletics, and service has not been easy,” Lell said. “I’ve faced issues of self-doubt, injury, and even managing time between practices, schoolwork, and volunteering. Through these experiences, my perseverance has been tested, but also strengthened. Being a varsity athlete has taught me discipline and teamwork, while my community service has taught me empathy and perspective.”
For his abilities on the diamond, in the classroom, in the community, and overcoming adversity, Lell has been named the recipient of a Marisa Tufaro Foundation Greater Middlesex Conference Student-Athlete Scholarship.
The Marisa Tufaro Foundation presents the scholarship in honor and loving memory of its namesake to exceptional high school student-athletes who support the nonprofit’s mission of assisting 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 to a rare form of cancer in 2017 following a valiant battle. 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. She lived a vibrant life that inspired.
“Marisa’s story reminds me that strength isn’t just measured by what we achieve for ourselves, but by what we give despite facing hardships,” Lell wrote in his scholarship essay. “Her courage and compassion have inspired me to keep helping others even when it seems difficult and to live with purpose and gratitude both on and off the field.”
The foundation is a fitting way to keep alive Marisa’s indomitable spirit and allow her legacy to be one of helping others.
Since its inception in July 2017, The Marisa Tufaro Foundation has donated nearly $450,000 to fulfill its mission. The nonprofit has also donated thousands of toys, nonperishable food items, winter jackets, baby supplies, children’s books, school supplies, and other items upon which it has placed no monetary value. In addition, the foundation has awarded $42,000 in academic scholarships to 57 inspirational high school seniors and sent 31 elementary and middle school students to a weeklong summer art camp at Rutgers University’s Zimmerli Art Museum.
Lell’s community service aligns perfectly with The Marisa Tufaro Foundation’s mission.
As president of the Corpus Christi Roman Catholic Church Youth Group, Lell led and coordinated volunteer projects benefiting local causes, collaborated with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and Rosarians on food, clothing and holiday drives, and mentored younger members in service planning and community engagement.
As President of the National Honor Society, Lell organized service events including a Breakfast with Santa and the Adopt-A-Family drive, soliciting donations from local businesses, wrapping presents, and collecting items for donation to children and families in need.
Lell made fleece blankets for donation to the Ronald McDonald House and Catholic Charities shelters, collected and distributed school supplies for donation to students in need, and volunteered at youth baseball clinics.
“Brendan has been a great role model for the younger ball players in town,” South River High School baseball coach Mike Lepore Jr. said. “He has assisted me in running various baseball clinics and camps for the Little League baseball program in town. Brendan was helpful in showing the kids proper techniques and the fundamentals of the game and the kids took an instant liking to his teaching.
“As a human being, Brendan has always come across as being mature beyond his years, extremely hard-working and motivated. His community service involvement is off the charts and very impressive for someone his age, juggling so many activities at once. He possesses admirable leadership qualities and is looked up to by his peers.”
Khalid Uddin, an English teacher and National Honor Society faculty advisor at South River High School, called Lell “one of the most empathetic, inclusive, and kind students” he has ever taught.
“He gets along with all of his peers and teachers and goes beyond just being respectful,” said Uddin, noting Lell volunteers with the National Honor Society to interact with elementary school students after school twice a month.
“During that time, Brendan is always embodying a leadership role, while also being personable and caring,” Uddin said. “He plays games with 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and welcomes them all. He allows them all to have fun, keeps them all behaved and focused, and ensures they are in a comfortable and respectful environment. He checks on all the students to make sure they are okay and that their needs are being met.”
Lell began serving his community at the age of 11 as a member of his church youth group.
“Since then,” he explained, “I’ve continued to serve my community, year after year, project after project, with a changed heart. It’s no longer just about the task. It’s about making a difference for the people. From collecting socks for the women and children’s shelter to assembling hygiene kits for a local food pantry, I’ve come to realize how small actions can make a great impact.”
Lell’s other community service projects include Operation Christmas Child, Socktober, the Be a SouperHero Drive, and outreach for a nursing home and animal shelter
“Service has played an important role in my personal growth by changing my perspectives,” Lell said. “It has taught me to listen better, to look beneath the surface, and to be more thoughtful in how I live.”
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: South River’s Brendan Lell is Marisa Tufaro Foundation GMC Student-Athlete Scholarship Recipient
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