Linden High School ๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ข๐จ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฉ๐ก ๐๐๐ฌ๐ค๐จ, ๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐ญ๐ฐ๐จ-๐ฌ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ญ๐ก๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐, committed scholar, and emerging leader, was recognized with the โIt Takes a Villageโ Award at the May 29 Board of Education meeting. The award honors students whose character, leadership, and work ethic inspire their school communityโand Mesko has exemplified all three.
Mesko, who recently announced his commitment to ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ข๐ญ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ซ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค to continue his football career, was also named Linden High Schoolโs 2024 NJSIAA Scholar-Athlete, one of the most prestigious honors for student-athletes in New Jersey.
At 6โ4โ and 300 pounds, Mesko is a powerhouse on the gridiron as an offensive and defensive lineman and a fierce competitor in track and field, where he excels in the shot put and discus. Yet his athletic dominance is only part of his story. He also carries a 3.5 GPA and is a proud member of the Chick-fil-A Leader Academy, a national program that equips high school students with leadership and service skills through real-world impact projects.
โIt is with great pride that we recognize Joseph Mesko tonight,โ said Athletic Director Mike Firestone, who presented the award. โJoseph exemplifies the very best of what it means to be a student-athlete, demonstrating excellence in the classroom, on the field, and in our community.โ
Firestone continued, โWhether heโs competing with determination and heart or excelling in his academic pursuits, Joseph leads by example. His discipline, work ethic, and integrity have earned him the respect of his teachers, coaches, and teammates alike. Josephโs dedication serves as an inspiration to his peers and a reminder of what is possible through hard work and commitment.โ
Adding to the significance of the evening, Mesko was surrounded by members of his proud family, who stood alongside him as he accepted the awardโan emotional reminder of the support system behind every student success story.
The โIt Takes a Villageโ Award celebrates the idea that success is nurtured through community support and collective investment. Meskoโs story reflects just thatโa young man shaped by strong mentors, a supportive school, and his own unwavering commitment to excellence.
As he prepares for the next chapter at Monroe University, Mesko leaves behind a legacy of leadership, sportsmanship, and Tiger pride that will continue to inspire for years to come.