Two Queens Youths Honored
BY RICHARD GENTILVISO

Two of Queens' finest young people were honored last week by Borough President Helen Marshall.

Jiyoon Jenny Han was recognized for winning the United Nations Association of the U.S.A. (UNAUSA) national high school essay contest on what the United States can do to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other infectious diseases.

Ross Herskovits was recognized for rescuing his disabled, elderly, next door neighbor from his burning home and carrying him out to safety.

Deputy Borough President Karen Koslowitz called Han and Herskovits "very special young people who have done wonderful things for their city and neighborhood". Both were presented with citations at a joint meeting of the Queens Borough Board and Cabinet on July 7.

Han, a rising senior at Stuyvesant H.S. and a resident of Fresh Meadows, won the UNA-USA essay contest in April. "Not only did she get the award ($2,000 prize), but she donated it to AIDS," Koslowitz said.

Han said she found out about the contest, an essay in the form of a letter to President George W. Bush, on the Internet. Her essay was built around a five-part proposal. Han called for multi-national, not unilateral, action, efforts to foster an atmosphere of global community to offset human ignorance and disregard, an efficient mobilization of resources, educational reform and the encouragement of prevention over treatment.

Statistics show that every hour 1,500 people die from infectious diseases worldwide. "The most destructive forces of nature are neglect and ignorance," Han said.

Han has donated her $2,000 award to Little Maestro, a non-profit organization she founded. Little Maestro is a group of teenage musicians that gives benefit concerts. On October 5, they will perform at Carnegie Hall, said Han. All proceeds from that benefit will go to the fight against HIV/AIDS and malaria.

Herskovits, age 21 and a recent graduate of Queens College, made news on the morning of January 2. "A man, still in his pajamas, rushed into a burning Queens home and helped his elderly neighbor to safety," said an Eyewitness News Report.

Gilbert Soloman, 84 years old and disabled, was rescued after Herskovits realized his neighbor's home at 141-68 73rd Terr. was on fire just after 8 a.m. Herskovits went into the burning house and up to the second floor to get to Soloman and carry him out to safety. Soloman was treated at New York Hospital Queens while Herskovits was not injured. Responding firefighters put the fire out. "We honor his heroic action," said Koslowitz.

Queens Borough Commander and New York Fire Department Deputy Assistant Chief John Studnicki, also presented Herskovits with a citation of honor. "He's truly a hero," Studnicki said.

Studnicki described the fire Herskovits rushed into as serious with very thick smoke. "For a citizen and neighbor to take this action is truly remarkable," he said.

Herskovits was previously recognized by Community Board 8 and the Kew Gardens Hills Civic Association.

Assemblymember Ellen Young also presented Han and Herskovits with citations for unique personal achievement at the Borough Board/Cabinet meeting.