Newtown Youth Services Holds Annual Awards

It was a time to single out the unsung heroes of Newtown’s youth last Thursday afternoon, May 25, as Newtown Youth Services hosted its 13th annual awards ceremony that recognizes the positive contribution made by young people to their schools and community.

As part of NYS’ Celebrate Youth Festival, this year’s Outstanding Youth Awards went to 39 students that stretched across an age spectrum from elementary to high school.

The aim of the ceremony is to recognize the positive traits that many of Newtown’s young people possess and put into practice on a daily basis.

Residents throughout the community nominate young people for Outstanding Youth recognition, and after ballots are distributed townwide, the Outstanding Youth Award Committee makes their selections.

Newtown Youth Services’ Youth Advisory Board Director Rosanne Loring read the nominations of each student, while NYS’ Director Debbie Richardson handed out the awards.

The following students were honored with Outstanding Youth Awards, including why they were honored:

Sarah Adams-Shepherd – Giving to others at her church.

Phil Ames – Giving to others

Kristen Bandura – Leadership

Quincy Blanchard – Leadership, Prevention Council

Elizabeth Bowen – Leadership, Service to others, Prevention Council

Elisabeth Breitliing – Giving to others

Greg Burkhart – Giving to others

Katrina Buyers – Giving to others

Erin Clark – Super all-around kid

Jessica Clark – Leadership, Giving to others

Kelly Coney – Job Bank

Dan Cruson – Giving to others

Amanda Cruz – Giving to others

Jenn Dunseith – Community leadership service, Giving to others

Kaitlin Dunseith – Leadership, Giving to others

Jessica Friedman – Job Bank

Alex Helfer – Community service, Giving to others, Leadership

Shawna King – Leadership, Giving to others

Sharah Letson – Community service

Daisha Manfredonia – Babysitting

Julia-Jane McNulty – Leadership, Giving to others

Sarah McSweeney – Giving to others

Brittany Meler – Community service, Giving to others, Leadership

Katie Miller – Leadership, Giving to others

Adam Moskowitz – Job Bank

Scott Regnery – Friend

Tim Robinson – Community service

Rachel Romanelli – Giving to others

Nicholas Sando – Polite person

Sloan Schnell – Community service, Giving to others, Leadership

Cassie Shewmaker – Giving to others

Drew Taylor – “Mr Friendly”

Jeff Walcott – Terrific Kid

Caitlin Weber – Community service, Giving to others, Leadership

Tiffany Wolfe – Giving to others

Alexa Vacaro – Community service, Giving to others, Leadership

Peter Yemc – Community service

Sean Zadrovitz – Leadership, Prevention Council

Kendall Zimmerman – Giving to others