Joseph Balzano, 11, Selected As City’s No. 1 Young Citizen

 By Daniel P. McConnell

Camden’s outstanding young citizen for 1945, Joseph Balzano, Jr., a sixth grade pupil at Kaighn School, wants to be a "bone doctor" so that he can help other children get well again.

Last night before an audience of more than 500 adults and pupils this courageous youngster, the son of a longshoreman, accepted with calm dignity and a radiant smile the tumultuous applause that greeted the announcement he had been picked for this high honor in the annual contest sponsored by the Camden Lodge of Moose.

Known only to a few of the audience that taxed the capacity of the city hall commission chamber was the father of the “champ”, Joseph Balzano Sr., who after quitting work in Philadelphia rushed to Camden in time to hear his son called to the platform to receive a certificate naming him the out­standing citizen of his own school.

The audience virtually shrieked its approval of young Joe's selection. His surprised and excited father naturally jumped up and down for joy as the lad, attired in a gray suit with long trousers walked to the platform where he was received by Stan Lee Broza, director of the radio "Children's Hour" program; Dr. Ethan A. Lang, governor of the local lodge of Moose; Mayor Brunner and Supreme Court Justice Donges, Past Supreme Governor of the Loyal Order of Moose.

Broza presented the outstanding youth plaque to the winner. Justice Donges gave a plaque to Miss Emilia Corda, 16, of 1104 South Fourth Street, Camden High School junior, winner of the second award. Dr. Lang also gave a plaque to James Zitz, 16, of 702 Florence Street, Camden Catholic High School junior, who won the third award.

Suffered Blood Poisoning

Young Joe Balzano never dreamed as he lay on his pain-wracked cot in Hahnemann Hospital in January and February last year that this great honor would come to him. Joe had blood poisoning in his left leg. He suffered excruciating pain.

When the doctors stuck needles in his leg every two hours, day after day, he never cried. He only wanted to do one thing- go back to school.

When he was brought home he was told he could not go to schoo1. Members of the Camden Board of Education, of which Dr. Lang is president, assigned Miss Clara Mantini to give him home instructions. That was almost like going to school. Joe went back top school and ended the term in the upper quarter of his class, Miss Mantini said.

After he was whisked into a side room to escape well-wishers, fellow pupils and pothers who wanted to shake his hand, this typical American lad, taking it all in stride sat down to be interviewed.

Tells of Ambition

"My ambition in life is to be a bone doctor,” he said. “While I was in the hospital I watched the doctors and nurses who treated me so fine. They told me I would walk again, and I did. I want to be that kind of doctor so I can help other boys and girls who were stricken as I was. I want to do something when I become a man to show my gratitude for what was done for me by the doctors in the Hahnemann hospital.”

Obtaining a perfect score of 80 points in the contest, young Balzano was rated for courtesy, kindness, trustworthiness, sportsmanship, cleanliness, obedience, thrift, loyalty, reverence, leadership, cooperation, punctuality, init­iative, leisure time activities, school activities- extra curricula and social attitude.

His regular teacher, Miss Rosolia Cioffi, gave him a testimonial to the judges. She lauded his courageous spirit, among other attributes.

Rev. Michael Argullo, acting pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, had this to say about Joe. "He is an outstanding boy endowed with many fine qualities. He is a boy of fine character, manly, a good sport, faithful to his religious duties and has the necessary qualifications for the honor of the outstanding young citizen."

Miss Mantini, who taught him at home, added this: "He is pleasant, good natured and above all, a courageous boy. I have never known him to complain. There are many words I could us to describe Joe, but 1 prefer you see and speak to him personally.

Mrs. John Beskett, director of recreation, Deaconess Home and Community center, also praised the citizen award winner. As a member of the center’s boys club, she said, he accepts responsibility, is honest, trustworthy, ambitious and is willing at all times to help others.

The winner and the two runners up will receive two additional awards. Sunday all will appear on the "Children's Hour" broadcast over WCAU at 11.30 AM.

Going to Washington

In addition, they will be taken ion a two-day trip to Washington. The escorts will be Justice and Mrs. Donges.

Mayor Brunner said the three winners and each of those picked as outstanding citizen of the other public and parochial schools are the future citizens of the community, state and nation. The mayor congratulated all the outstanding young citizens and praised the local lodge of Moose for conducting its second annual award program.

Offering his congratulations, Justice Donges warned against optimism over the early end of the war with Japan. Sacrifices on the home front, he added, must be endured until the victory is won.

Dr. Lang presided at the exercises. Rev. William L. McKeever, assistant rector of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, gave the invocation. Vocal selections were given by the Cooper School choir under the direction of Mrs. Anna Malloy. Rev. Everett W. Palmer, pastor of Centenary-Tabernacle Methodist Church, offered benediction.

Among: those attending were Leon N. Neulen, superintendent of public schools; Daniel R. Weigle, executive vice-president, county Chamber of Commerce; David Balsam, director of youth activities, Federation of Jewish Charities, and Mrs. Alice K. Predmore, member of the Camden Board of Education.