SJM_SouthernExposure_0124_SouthernExposure_11_08 1 / 24 / 24 3 : 50 PM Page 4 Do you know a local person ? NAMES TO KNOW who is doing great things ? Let us know by emailing Carly @ SouthJersey.com . Local people achieving big things in South Jersey and beyond Kyle Ruffin Ryder Samsel Dan Bartolomeo Ebony Toney Valarie Iosue Michael Gross On Jan . 5 , this Joint Base AHainesport resident , author , The 19 - year - old Bordentown The Burlington County resident Iosue , a Collingswood resident , Guided by spreading positivity , McGuire - Dix - Lakehurst resi - advocateand leader , Ruffin will Township resident was recently had a chance to compete in the is a dancer , TV show host , mod - Gross is a life coach , speaker dent was recognized by the behonored at Samaritan’s 2024 honoredwith a proclamation reality show spinoff of the Net - el , cancer survivor and single and author based in Haddon Burlington County Commis - Celebration of Life Gala for her fromMayor Steve Benowitz for flix series Squid Game , where mother of four . After surviving Township . His book , The Wing - sioners for being the first per - dedication to the local commu - achievingEagle Scout , the high - hecompeted for $ 4.56 million the devastating loss of loved man’s Path to Positivity , is also son to adopt a pet from the nity and to the health care est rank in Boy Scouts . Samsel’s among456 players . Squid ones , Iosue began ballet dancing the name of his organization . Burlington County Animal provideras a member of Samar - community project was building Game:The Challengewas cre - again after more than 20 years Through media outreach such Shelter in 2024 . Toney and his itan’s Board Inclusion and Diver - four bat boxes in Bordentown ated after the success of the awayfrom it , and is now a ballet as a YouTube channel , a Face - daughter took home a 4 ½ - sity Committee . She is the pres - City , for which he received dona - SouthKorean drama , allowing modelwhile also teaching ballet book group , a weekly radio year - old bulldog mix named identand founding member of tions from the community and a contestants to simulate the at Universal Ballroom Dance show and more , he has con - Mecca who had been in the Impact100South Jersey , a local hardware store . These box - high - stakesnature of the Center . After receiving treatment nected with individuals and cor - shelter’s care since August , women - basedphilanthropy or - es will help protect bats , which game’scompetition without the for breast cancer , Iosue was in - porate clients across the globe marking a hopeful year for the ganization , and a former trustee play a crucial role in the environ - fatal eliminations . Bartolomeo , spired to begin not only her to inspire positive energy prac - shelter’s many cats and dogs of the Community Foundation of ment.Samsel is also captain of a 51 - year - old physician’s assis - modeling career but also a pod - tices . Gross studies internation - in need of a loving home . This South Jersey . Ruffin is the au - The Riptide Warriors mountain tant , finished among the top 21 cast . This past September , Iosue al spirituality , self - help , scien - adoption promotes the work of thor of In Stroke’s Shadow : My biking team , an assistant scout - players of the competition . He launched her live show on the tific research and human nature the “ no - kill ” shelter and the Caregiver Story that reflects on master for Troop 13 and a vigil became the leader of the BoldBrave TV Network , Dancing that drive his philosophy . countless opportunities to vol - herpersonal experience . member of the Order of the Ar - “ GganbuGang ” and connected in the Rain with Valarie , which or donate . unteer row , whichhonors scouts who with a fellow New Jersey resi - she hosts weekly . follow scouting’s oath and law in dent during his time on the their everyday lives . show , which filmed in London . SPOTLIGHT N JAN . 17 , THE CAMDEN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMIS - Kaur of Bellmawr , Bernie Kofoet of Pennsauken , Cindy Mc - SIONERS HELD THEIR ANNUAL CAMDEN COUNTY Coy of Hi Nella , David Roeber of Haddon Heights , Kelly OFREEDOM MEDAL CEREMONY . The Freedom Medal is Thomas of Berlin , Raymond Watkins of Sicklerville and n presented to residents who exhibit selfless acts of service in Aletha R . Wright of Camden . their community , and is an honor bestowed upon local civic leaders who embody ideals and actions similar to the principles of Dr . Martin Luther King Jr . Since its cre - ation in 2001 , 1,200 Cam - den County residents have been recognized with the Freedom Medal for making significant contributions and improvements to their community through the means of volunteer work . The recipients of the 2024 Freedom Medal are Arthur Aston of Collingswood , May Brill of Cherry Hill , Robert Edward Cream of Pennsauken , Eunice Fay Crooks of Sicklerville , Nimit SOUTH JERSEY MAGAZINE volume 20 issue 10 SouthJerseyMagazine.com | 45