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Kids On The Move - Josh Gilstein
08/22/2010 - By Chad A. Safran
TAKING TIME TO HELP OTHERS
Holmdel’s Josh Gilstein has something in common with a diverse group of well-known people, including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Academy Award-winner Steven Speilberg, and former New Jersey Senator and Basketball Hall of Famer Bill Bradley. What does this college freshman share with the others? All have been bestowed the rank of Eagle Scout during their lives.
To become an Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must be a Life Scout for at least six months, earn at least 21 merit badges, demonstrate Scout Spirit, show leadership, and must plan, develop and lead a service project. At the suggestion of his Rabbi, Josh decided to plant a 1000-square foot vegetable garden at the Monmouth Reformed Temple, with all the harvested produce being donated to Lunch Break, a food bank and soup kitchen in Red Bank. Over 60 hours of detailed planning and 160-plus man hours were required to turn over the land, build the fence and gate, lay out the garden, and plant the items. The garden was a success, as 300 pounds of vegetables and herbs were donated to the food bank.
“I learned about working with a lot of different people on the project,” says Josh, who was able to guide 40 volunteers to help him set up the garden and another eight to ten who tended to it. “I felt proud and accomplished and happy that I did a project that really helped people in need.”
Being an Eagle Scout is only part of the way Josh has dedicated his time to helping others. Over the past few years, he organized a coffeehouse benefit for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, raising $1,000 for the group. He oversaw a dinner at The Center in Asbury Park for low-income men and women with HIV and AIDS in Monmouth County. He helped sort and donate clothes and toiletries and making brown bag lunches for the homeless as part of the Midnight Run in New York City. And this past summer in addition to his job as a counselor for fourth grade boys at Pine Grove Day Camp in Wall, Josh spent time as a co-counselor for seven year old boys at Play S.A.F.E, a camp for inner city children from low-income families in New Brunswick.
“I was really passionate about the different things I was involved in,” says Josh, who spent two years wrestling in high school. “It made it a lot easier when I was really busy. I was excited by it. I liked the things I was doing.”
Yet even with all his time helping others as well as serving as the religious and cultural vice president for the Garden Empire Region of the North American Federation of Temple Youth, Josh excelled in the classroom. He was a part of winning science and chemistry teams as well as a member of the National Honor Society and has been recognized as an Edward J. Bloustein Distinguished Scholar. It should be no surprise then that he is now part of the University of Maryland’s honors program.
As part of the university’s College of Chemical and Life Sciences, Josh is thinking about majoring in biology and possibly pursuing a career in pharmaceutical research. He also wants to be a teacher in high school or college. No matter what he chooses, Josh feels ready for the opportunities he will have at Maryland. “Holmdel High School has really prepared me,” he says. “I am excited for the challenge of really hard science courses and taking classes I will really like to broaden my horizons.”
In addition to volunteering and his academics, Josh finds time for his other passion: music. He has been playing piano since he was eight and still takes occasional lessons to improve his skills. He likes playing rock and blues music, especially the latter when he will just pick a key and improvise. His piano teacher also helped Josh learn to play the guitar. He is even taking some music classes in college.
No matter where the future leads and his career takes him Josh wants to make a difference in whatever he does. Many people in the community would say he already has.
STATS
FAVORITE RESTAURANT
Bonefish Grill
FAVORITE MUSICIAN
Bon Jovi
FAVORITE MOVIE
”Meet the Parents”
PET PEEVES
Loud gum chewing
THREE PEOPLE YOU’D LIKE TO HAVE DINNER WITH
Albert Einstein, Jimi Hendrix, and Abraham Lincoln
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