Newtown Youth Services Announces

19th Annual Outstanding Youth Awards

By Laurie Borst

On Thursday, May 24, Newtown Youth Services held its 19th Annual Outstanding Youth Awards presentation at the C.H. Booth Library. Youth Services Director Roseanne Loring presented the awards. Twenty-five young people were honored this year.

These outstanding youth were nominated by family members, friends, teachers, and other mentors in the community.

Nicki Haylon was recognized for Service to Others and for being a good sister and friend. In the nomination letter, Nicki is described as follows: “She has for several years given up a week of her summer traveling around the country with other youth to rebuild and restore homes for those in need. As a sister, she is caring and patient (most of the time) with her younger brother. She is a strong and caring friend.”

Jennifer Tichon was honored for Service to Others, babysitter, friend, and sister. “She offers a week of her summer to travel the country helping those in need. She is, I believe, a terrific babysitter — very reliable, mature and fun, too. Jen is a wonderful and attentive friend. Someone you could count on in any situation,” stated her nomination letter.

Linda Chamiec-Case received recognition for Service to Others, babysitter, friend, and sibling. Her nominator said, “She has, in all of the 12 years I have known her, always given much of herself into the service and care of others. She is a wonderful example at Trinity parish to youth and adults alike of faith. Most recently, she spearheaded and helped to lead a forum on the death penalty, which even drew the Bishop to attend. Linda has and will achieve much and lift others to greatness.’

Sara Hill was acknowledged for Outstanding Personal Growth and Character. “Sara exhibits unusual character for a person her age. This is a student who has overcome great challenges to emerge as ‘The Best of the Best.’ Sara has shown incredible reliance on her artistic self to gain personal confidence. She is polite and friendly and a joy to have as a student. The change she herself has accomplished is laudable.”

Dylan Cortese was honored for Musicianship. “Dylan has been playing piano and singing for four years. He studies weekly and regularly participates in recitals. Dylan loves to accompany himself on piano when he sings and enjoys performing for his friends at Middle Gate,” wrote his supporter.

Christopher Parker was recognized for Service to Others. His champion wrote, “The Library staff is very impressed with Christopher’s outstanding job as a tutor. He is excellent with both adults and youth, an excellent communicator and listener. Chris teaches writing and we’re amazed at how he connects with his students. He is mature beyond his years and an outstanding individual.”

Anthony Klablonski, Bryant Aliaga, Ashley Duncan, Christie Czarnicki, Kate Kelleher and Kayla Rustici were honored in the category of Service to Others. “All are actively involved in the Newtown Youth Services’ High School Youth Advisory Board. Anthony and Bryant serve as co-chairs. All six of the nominees take an active role in the group’s mission of community service. Ashley, Kate and Kayla took off from their jobs to lend a hand to a local organization last weekend. These YAB members are friendly visitors at The Homesteads, an assisted living community here in Newtown. If you attend virtually any NYS program, you will find these YAB members there. They give of their time generously and their dedication if highly commendable and very much appreciated.”

Katie Datin and Shannon Hayes were honored in the category of Outstanding Staff Member. Ms Loring read, “Katie and Shannon are the Job Bank Coordinators for Newtown Youth Services. It has been a great pleasure to work with both young women. Each day they bring an energy and vitality to the Agency. They help keep us informed and in touch with the interests of high schoolers. To deal with a data base of 200+ youth, find them jobs, work with patrons requesting jobs (and there have been some interesting ones) all the while juggling a rigorous academic schedule is praiseworthy.”

Erin Baier, Blake Barreto, Elaine Bomley, Justin Carroti, Katie McNulty, and Matt Norris are six Newtown High School seniors. “As part of the group Newtown Youth Creating Youth Awareness for Peers (NYCAAP), each has given countless hours of service as trained peer educators in eighth grade health classes. While each knows a great deal about AIDS, when they stand in front of 13-year-olds as teachers, they are role models to younger students. These outstanding young people made the choice to become actively involved in helping their peers understand they have choices. Most eighth grade health students write that the most memorable lesson they received was from the NYCAAP Peer Educators. Because of six teenagers, eighth graders learned the high school is not a scary place, they don’t have to drink and do drugs to be popular, and that the best road to meeting people and making good friends is by getting involved in clubs and sports.” These young people received awards for Service to Others.

Erica Federman, Allie Clement, and Bobby Davenport were also honored in the category of Service to Others for their work with NYCAAP. “These young people raised money for AIDS Walk New York through soliciting businesses for donations and organizing fundraisers like the first NYCAAP Dodgeball Tournament. Erica, Allie, and Bobby’ efforts bring knowledge, light and hope at a time when most people think AIDS is no longer a problem. Accomplishing all of these objectives is possible only with the commitment and leadership skills of NYCAAP officers.”

Matt Vavrek and Molly Mahony were recognized for Service to Others. “Matt recognized the need to financially help families who were influenced by the cost of playing sports in Newtown. He created the Youth Athletic Scholarship and held a benefit lacrosse game where participants paid a fee to play. He collected raffle items from local merchants and asked parents to bring baked goods. Matt began this project as a service project for Confirmation, and it bridged his community of faith with his love of sports in his hometown of Newtown.”

“Molly had been invited by Matt Vavrek to organize a girls lacrosse team for the first annual Youth Athletic Scholarship benefit lacrosse game. She and Matt raised $480 which will be used for scholarships for students who wish to play on various sports teams in Newtown. Matt and Molly love sports and their desire was to make a scholarship available so that all students will have the ability to participate even if they do not have the funds to do so.”