Piscataway Township Schools Public Information Officer and Webmaster Gary Miller has been chosen as the 2025 Citizen of the Year by the Piscataway Elks Lodge No. 2414.

Miller was honored in a ceremony on Saturday, March 8, at the Woodbridge Elks Lodge along with 10 other winners from Central Jersey lodges.

“I’m incredibly honored to be selected as Citizen of the Year by the Piscataway Elks,” Miller said. “This award is recognition of the tremendous role Piscataway Township Schools plays in our community. Our schools are a focal point for family involvement and support, and I treasure my role in celebrating and strengthening that bond.”

Piscataway Elks Incoming Exalted Ruler Peter Namen said Miller was selected because of his award-winning work in promoting the successes of Piscataway Township Schools and in strengthening the school district’s ties with the township and community groups, including the Elks.

Piscataway Township Schools Public Information Officer and Webmaster Gary Miller, second from right, accepting the Citizen of the Year Award from the Piscataway Elks on March 8 at an awards dinner in Woodbridge. From left are Piscataway Elks member Jack Harkins, Piscataway Elks Incoming Exalted Ruler Peter Namen, and Piscataway Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Glenn Lottmann.

“Gary has ingrained himself in our community as he works to engage families, celebrate students and staff, and elevate the profile of Piscataway schools in the eyes of educators and leaders statewide,” Namen said during his introduction of Miller at the awards ceremony.

Piscataway’s Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Glenn Lottmann was on hand for the awards ceremony to show the district’s support for Miller and the Elks.

Miller has won multiple awards over the past two years from the National School Public Relations Association and the New Jersey School Public Relations Association, including a National Award of Excellence as editor of the school district’s annual School Guide & Calendar. Miller has also won state and national awards for social media, newsletter, and photography.

Piscataway Township Schools Public Information Officer and Webmaster Gary Miller with family and friends after accepting the Citizen of the Year Award from the Piscataway Elks.

Miller has written two articles for School Leader magazine, a staple on the desks of superintendents and school board members around the state. These pieces highlighted Piscataway’s innovative educational programs, including efforts to ensure non-college-bound students get the attention and support they need to find success after graduation, and the district’s successful Freshman Seminar program that eases the way for ninth-graders into Piscataway High School through team building and peer mentorships.

“Gary has been invaluable in spreading awareness of achievements by Piscataway Township Schools’ students and staff, both within our community and statewide, and working with local groups for the betterment of our schools,” said Piscataway Superintendent of Schools Dr. Frank Ranelli. “This is a very well-deserved honor.”

Aside from his daily duties of keeping families informed and involved, Gary also sits on the Piscataway Board of Education’s Culture, Climate & Community Relations Committee and is executive director of the Piscataway Education Foundation.

“Gary has worked with Piscataway Elks on promoting our annual backpack and school supplies drive and Halloween Trunk or Treat,” Namen said, “and the Elks in turn have donated to support the efforts of the Piscataway Education Foundation to uplift students and teachers.

“We’ve developed a great partnership that benefits both sides – and the greater Piscataway community as a whole.”