Meet Your Neighbors: Seniors Leading with Purpose and Heart
OCHS Seniors Addisyn Fisher and Joseph Heng Excel in the Classroom – and Have Long Volunteered with Local and Global Causes to Ensure Others Can Excel in Their Lives, Too
Although Addisyn Fisher and Joseph Heng are high-achieving seniors at Ocean City High School, they both prioritize time to serve their communities.
Over the past four years, while excelling in the classroom and participating in sports and multiple activities, the duo have also brought change and goodness to the world beyond the walls of Atlantic Avenue and 5th Street.
Not surprising, the impetus for the impact they’ve made is rooted under the roofs of their homes.
“Growing up I was exposed to volunteering every week, whether it’s helping out at a beach clean up or teaching a STEM lesson,” Joseph said about sharing a house with his parents and five siblings. “I kind of carried that with me because of the community that served me and helped me become who I am.”
Addisyn’s helping horizon expanded to the American Cancer Society when the dreaded disease hit home.
“My dad actually had cancer,” she said about her father, Jim, who has since recovered.
But the challenges Addisyn witnessed were lasting.
“We were really blessed because we were able to access treatments, and so after that experience, I think, taking that on was a way for me to represent other people to know that they would get the same things regardless of socioeconomic status,” she explained.
Addisyn is an American Legislative Ambassador and has met with New Jersey legislatures to fight for changes in cancer funding and research.
“That just became really important because it was really personal and I also want to go into medicine. It’s unsettling that people wouldn’t be given the same life saving treatments just because of financial reasons,” she said.
Addisyn, who received the Rotary Club Award for academic excellence the past three years, also credits her mother, Ellen, as a “huge inspiration.”
“She brought me out into community events when I was pretty young, like food distribution events, and that definitely gave me a lot of perspective about what other people are going through in Cape May County,” said Addisyn, who is from Seaville. “You really see how insignificant some of your problems are.”
Growing up in Brigantine before moving to Ocean City in seventh grade, Joseph also credits his parents, Sandra and Chan, for who he is now, which includes being selected as a Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Delegate.
“My mom, my dad, everything is because of them, like all the opportunities I had, all the time they sacrificed,” he said. “I can’t accomplish anything without giving them credit. They have been there every step of the way.”
Heng, a board member of the Ocean City Environmental Commission, started the Ocean City Reusable Cup program in February with the guidance of his National Honor Society advisor Katherine Georges. He secured partnerships with Australia-based ReturnR cup supplier, nine local coffee locations, and the school to offer a price-off for reusable cup usage.
“We raised over $11,000 to order these reusable cups made from 75 percent recycled material, and we gave each student in the high school a free cup and as an incentive to reduce single-use waste within the city,” Joseph said about the 12-ounce coffee mug without a handle.
“It is powder-coated red and we have an Ocean City High School logo laser engraved,” he added.
Addisyn, who attended the N.J. Governor’s School of the Sciences, a three-week program conducting new research on the VSV virus, also connects with fellow students through tutoring.
“I really enjoy tutoring. It’s almost calming for me. I just have enjoyment being able to help them,” Addisyn, who has worked with around 40 students, said. “I feel so good after every time I do it because you can see how people just light up, and it’s also such a cool experience because I could talk to people from all over the world.
“I tutored one girl from Egypt. It’s just such a cool experience to be able to communicate with people and connect,” she continued. “Even though we’re so far apart.”
Both Addisyn and Joseph have been bringing the world closer during their high school years through various local projects.
Addisyn has led an initiative that raised $1,000 for the Leadership Studio of Atlantic City by braiding at races, through social media and at local bake sales.
Joseph has coordinated fundraisers raising more than $24,000 for child abuse prevention organizations and Covenant House through fundraising events. He organized free mental health events and service projects that provide covenant houses and nursing homes with gifts and cards throughout the holidays. He held weekly volunteer events every Saturday open to all students in the school district to grow and track data on oysters for bay restoration. He also recruited over 300 student volunteers to help local organizations with environmental stewardship and beach cleanups.
Addisyn, who has taken four years of Latin and competes in local triathlons, would like to pursue a career in medicine after college.
“I definitely want to go into surgery, I really think the spine is interesting, like neurospine surgery or orthopedic spine surgery,” she said. “So I’m not too sure yet. I’ve kind of seen a little bit of orthopedics. I haven’t really seen much of neuro, so definitely will have to explore that.”
Joseph – who recently committed to Yale University – would like to pursue engineering in college.
“Although I’m not certain the exact thing, I do know that my goal within my life is to make change, to create a difference within the community and the whole world,” he said. “I think one of the biggest issues that society is facing is public safety.”
Through their inspirational efforts while still in high school, Joseph and Addisyn have already made Ocean City – and the world – a better and safer place.
By Kevin Callahan. Photos courtesy of Addisyn Fisher & Joseph Heng.