Jaycees Honor EHT`s Anna Pecoraro

Anna Pecoraro has a thirst for knowledge and a desire to help others. On Wednesday, Sept. 12, the Greater Atlantic City Jaycees will recognize the good works of the Egg Harbor Township, N.J. resident by presenting her with its Distinguished Service Award at a dinner at Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City.

Pecoraro, a 1997 graduate of Egg Harbor Township High School, is one of the youngest Distinguished Service Award recipients in Jaycees history, barely making the minimum age requirement of 21. She will take time off from her studies in the accelerated doctoral program in Clinical Psychology at the American School of Professional Psychology of Argosy University, DC Metropolitan Campus, to attend the ceremony. The program is approved by the American Psychological Association. Pecoraro currently lives in Fairfax, Va. and is the director of music at St. Michael`s School in Silver Spring, Md.

"I`ve known Anna for over two years," said Steve Angelucci, staff writer for Whoot Weekly newspaper, "and have seen her many unselfish deeds and instances of community service." Angelucci nominated Pecoraro for the award soon after learning of it. "I immediately knew that Anna deserved it."

At 14, Pecoraro started college part-time. She graduated high school and went to Westminster Choir College of Rider University at 16. For the past several years, she has donated countless hours as a crisis hotline counselor. During high school, she ran a hymn sing choir at nursing homes in two counties and a music program for underprivileged children. Although she holds a Bachelor Degree in Music from Westminster Choir College in Princeton and is an acclaimed soprano, Pecoraro chose another path. She was so moved by her volunteer experiences and the work of Dr. Albert Ellis that she changed her career direction. In spite of being a summa cum laude graduate who planned on a full-time musical career, Pecoraro decided that she could best help others as a psychologist. She took an additional course load in psychology at college to qualify for the graduate program.

Pecoraro performed her baccalaureate internship at a New Jersey program for teens with psychiatric diagnoses. She recently completed "Primary Practicum in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy" and holds a certificate in REBT from the Albert Ellis Institute in Manhattan. She worked directly with Dr. Ellis, as he was one of her clinical supervisors during the practicum experience.

"Reading Dr. Albert Ellis` writing in junior high school inspired me more than anything else in my life," Pecoraro said. "Meeting and working with him was both thrilling and inspiring. You see, Dr. Ellis is a genius, but he is truly humble and has the best damned sense of humor I`ve ever seen!" She plans to apply for advanced training and possibly a pre or post-doctoral internship at the Institute. "He has taught me countless, invaluable lessons about life," she said. Pecoraro also credits her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Carl and Carol Pecoraro, as important influences.

Pecoraro conducted a national research study last year entitled "Second Generation Holocaust Survivors: Anger, Forgiveness, and Prejudicial Attitudes," under the direction of Dr. Marvin Goldstein, director of the Psychology Department and Koppelman Holocaust-Genocide Resource Center of Rider University. In May, she and Dr. Goldstein presented the study at the Eastern Psychological Association`s Annual Convention in Washington, DC. She is re-drafting the study to be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals. She is also collaborating in designing and conducting a clinical study with one of her mentors, Mayo Clinic neuropsychiatrist Yonas Endale Geda, MD."

For the last five years, Pecoraro has used her musical abilities to encourage and uplift others. She has sung at many churches and synagogues in the Atlantic City and Princeton areas. Last summer, Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio of the Diocese of Camden presented her with a Liturgical Music Award at a special Mass. Other recitals include multiple appearances with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall in New York. As a student teacher, this young woman used her musical talents to teach at risk youth and worked for the past three summers at the Kid`s College program of Atlantic Cape Community College in Mays Landing, N.J. In her spare time, Pecoraro is a writer for the "Generation NEXT" section of The Press of Atlantic City. Her article of August 6, 2001, focused on the stresses of the teen years and advised teenagers on ways to seek help. She will be continuing her vocal studies.

Join the Jaycees in honoring Anna Pecoraro and others in our community who make it a better place to live. The Greater Atlantic City Jaycee Awards will take place Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Resorts Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. A cocktail reception is scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. with a dinner at 7 p.m. Tickets are $35. For reservations, contact Nick Valinote at 1-609-383-8835.

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Author: Steve Angelucci, Whoot Weekly newspaper