Newtown Youth Services Celebrates Outstanding Youth

By Larissa Lytwyn

May is “Celebrate Youth Month” at Newtown Youth Services. On May 27, the celebration culminated with the 17th annual 2004 Outstanding Youth Awards.

Each spring, NYS requests nominations from the community for young people who are described, in short, as “outstanding.”

Ballots are distributed townwide. The Outstanding Youth Award Committee selects those youths who have demonstrated strong, healthy values and use their talents and abilities in a positive way.

In its description of the Outstanding Youth Awards criteria, the committee stated, “We believe the traits these young people possess are strengths that will bring them continued success in their futures.”

A total of 31 students were honored in various categories include “courage and responsibility,” “service to others” and relationships with families and their community.

Recipients ranged from age 4 to seniors at Newtown High School.

Before naming each recipient, program coordinator Roseanne Loring read each nominator’s description of the student.

Several were recognized for bright, can-do attitudes, creativity and talent in babysitting, kindness and caring toward younger brothers and sisters and involvement in community service events and organizations.

Several students were also recognized, in part, for their help in teaching and counseling students at camps and religion courses operated through their churches and congregations.

The Outstanding Youth for 2004 were Lola Aldrich, Matthew Benson, David Bungar, Jesse Cabral, Michael Cabral, Mark Cinquegrana, Matt Cole, Carly Doherty, Jenn Dunseith, Greg Gordon, Drew Harmata, Brianna Hart, Erin Hayes, Sarah Hemingway, Kate Hoolehan, Belle Hydock, Allie Klein, Ryan Keogler, Kenny McCabe, Benjamin Morehouse, Michael Novia, Meaghan O’Day, Michelle Palladino, Abby Peck, Lauren Reed, Amy Robinson, Melissa Russell, Sable Stevens, Caitlin Sullivan, Alexa Vacaro, and Jamie Vavrek.