About Us
TORCH is a vibrant network, 100% volunteer-driven, devoted to crafting a diverse and unique experience for students. We offer different lenses to view the world, assisting students in crafting alternative perspectives for their future careers. Each of our Leads and Supports Counselors have personally attended our program, received advanced leadership training, and were chosen to contribute to the next generation. We're more than just an organization; we're a reference point, a community for students to turn to with their questions and ideas.
Board of Directors
President
BO@TorchLeadershipAcademy.org609-300-6397 - phone call/WhatsAppPwC Learning Strategist, Sustainability & Digital AssuranceCertified Public Accountant (CPA)Treasurer, Haddon Township Equity InitiativeFormer Chair of District 7505 North Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)BS, Accounting from the University of DelawareCherokee High School Alumni
Vice President
Sarah@TorchLeadershipAcademy.orgIT Director, Pharmaceutical CompanyMBA, NYU Stern School of BusinessBA, Business Administration from The College of New JerseyMonsignor Donovan High School Alumni
Programming Director
Solutions Leader at McKinsey & CompanyMD, Emory University School of MedicinePhD, Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis from the Emory University School of MedicineBA, Biochemical Sciences from Harvard UniversityToms River High School North Alumni
Treasurer
Vice President - Payments Strategy at JPMorgan Chase & Co.BA, Economics from Boston CollegeWall High School Alumni
Operations Director
Director of Human Resources at White Lodging ServicesBA, Human Resources Management & Services from the University of ArizonaAA, Human Resources Management from Rowan College of Burlington CountyBurlington County Institute of Technology Medford Alumni
People Director
Staffing Consultant at JOHNLEONARDBA, Political Science - Focus on Gender, Race & Politics from American UniversityBA, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Certificate in Women, Policy, and Political Leadership from American UniversityNew Egypt High School Alumni
Caroline Sparacino
(she/her)
(she/her)
Secretary
3rd Grade Elementary Teacher Former Bonner Leader and Project LeaderBA, Special Education from Stockton University AlumniRaritan High School Alumni2024 Senior Counselors
Associate Systems Engineer at Lockheed MartinThe College of New Jersey ‘23Toms River HS North ‘19
Architectural Designer at JacobsWyper ArchitectsAssociate Member AIADrexel University B. Arch '23Moorestown High School '17
Volunteer Advisors
Studio Production Coordinator, Universal Content ProductionsNew York University '18Wall High School '14
Senior Analyst, Governance and Sustainability at RivelJuniata College '20Burlington Township High School '16
Public Policy Major and Education Studies MinorWilliam & Mary '23Point Pleasant Beach High School '19
Government and Psychology Student at Wesleyan UniversityRaritan High School '20
Database Intern, New England Historic Genealogical SocietyMoravian College '22Burlington Township High School '18
Undergraduate Researcher, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)MIT '23Lenape High School '19
Manager of Grant Writing, Research, and Donor Administration at Legacy Treatment ServicesGettysburg College '22Burlington Township High School '18
EngageNJ Changebuilder VISTAStockton University '21, '22Arthur L. Johnson High School ‘17
Ph.D Student at Weill Cornell MedicineLehigh University '19Wall High School '15
Ericca Greiss
(she/her)
Server & Nursing AssistantCaldwell University ‘23Raritan High School ‘19(she/her)
Gabby Guida
(she/her)
MusicianMontclair State University ‘24Raritan High School ‘20(she/her)
Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Student at Emerson CollegeMonmouth University '22Brick Memorial High School '18
Creative and Technical Director, Moorestown Theater CompanyTemple University ‘18Moorestown HS ‘14
Ph.D Student and Graduate Research Fellow in Neuroscience at The University of Texas at AustinTemple University '20St. Joseph's University '17Lenape High School ‘13
Spanish Teacher at Hammonton BOEThe College of New Jersey ‘15Southern Regional HS ‘11
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Owner/Therapist at Calming Waves Counseling LLCRutgers University '15Rider University '09Central Regional High School '06
Larry Arellano (he/him)
Lead Counselor Coordinator
Paraprofessional at George J. Mitchell Elementary SchoolOcean County CollegeSouthern Regional High School ‘12Lead Counselor Coordinator
Community Health Analyst at Atlantic Health SystemsRutgers University ‘21Point Pleasant Beach High School ‘17
Medical Student at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple UniversityRutgers University '23Matawan Regional High School '19
Sarah Harrison (she/her)
Physical Therapy Assistant Rowan University ‘24Jackson Liberty High School ‘20
Dance Instructor at Perna Dance CenterProduction Assistant FreelancerRowan University ‘22Raritan High School ‘18
Volunteer Staff
2023 Lead Counselors
Keith M.
(he/him)
(he/him)
Lauren N.
(she/her)
(she/her)
Shannon L.
(she/her)
(she/her)
Sophia L.
(she/her)
(she/her)
Vincenzo (Cenz) A.
(he/him)
(he/him)
2023 Support Counselors
Alexander W. (he/him)
Keansburg High School '23Stockton University '27
Alivia G.
(she/her)
Pinelands Regional High School '24(she/her)
Ally T.
(she/her)
Pinelands Regional High School '24(she/her)
Annie S.
(she/her)
Lover of turtles, Taylor Swift, and booksHoly Spirit High School '24(she/her)
Ash M.
(he/they)
National Honor SocietyVarsity Dance TeamRaritan High School '24(he/they)
Founder of A Sustainable FuturePresident of Women in STEMAcademy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering '25
Daniella P.
(she/her)
Tennis/Flag Football CaptainNational Honor SocietyRaritan High School ‘24(she/her)
Lauren L.
(she/her)
Tennis Player for Holmdel High SchoolMarine Academy of Science and Technology '24(she/her)
Melanie P.
(she/her)
Arthur L. Johnson High School '23Montclair State University '27(she/her)
Sahil S.
(he/him)
Academy for Mathematics, Science, and Engineering '24(he/him)
Note on Youth Protection & Privacy: At TORCH, we prioritize the safety and privacy of our community. We adhere to strict youth protection protocols and have chosen to use only first names and last initials for our team members to ensure their privacy.
Advisor Alumni
Staff Feedback
"[The staff] helped make TORCH such a welcoming and safe environment."
"The commitment and passion displayed by each member of the Torch Leadership Academy staff were truly inspiring. Your expertise, dedication, and genuine care for the participants shone through in every aspect of the program. You created a safe and nurturing environment where we could grow as individuals and as a team."
"I absolutely had a great time at this program. Everyone was so welcoming and energetic, and there truly was never a moment that I felt bored. The counselors were all super excited to be here and help, and you could feel the positivity of everyone here... Overall, this program was super organized and I felt all the love everyone had for this program in everything we did."