Community Corner

Wyckoff School Teacher Awarded Person of the Year Honors

In a surprising last minute surge Eileen Avia topped Facebook group's founder.

After a week of voting — and much debate — Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Patch readers have spoken.

Eileen Avia is your Person of the Year!

The über-involved Wyckoff resident has been in the news in 2012 for her erstwhile committee campaign incident involving vandalism at her home.

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"While I am thankful to the person who nominated me and to those who cast a vote in my favor, I believe no one person can be awarded this honor," Avia said after hearing about the honors.

Avia, a teacher at Eisenhower Middle School, was nominated by readers in early January, and the online poll was conducted last week.

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"There are many residents of our Franklin Lakes and Wyckoff communities who devote their time to a plethora of volunteer organizations, all of which improve our quality of life," she said. "From members of the ambulance corps and fire departments to those who deliver meals to the home-bound and care packages to clients of Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, the Lions Club and Rotary members, Wyckoff Green Team, Wyckoff Love Fund volunteers, and Partners in Pride, to name but a few.

"It is because of the members of volunteer organizations that our communities are such desirable places in which to live," Avia said.

Wyckoff Moms  Facebook group founder Aimee Basa was dominating polling throughout the week, but an eleventh hour surge from Avia supporters tipped the final vote tally in her favor. Avia won with a total of 63 votes to Basa's 53.

Former Wyckoff Mayor Chris DePhillips took third place with 30 votes.

Have a question or news tip for Wyckoff-Franklin Lakes Patch? Contact editor Joseph M. Gerace at Joseph.Gerace@patch.com, or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox every morning, sign up for our daily newsletter.


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