Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell and the county’s Youth Bureau recognized the volunteer efforts of 15 high school students during the 29th Annual Youth Award Dinner held on the evening of Friday, March 28 at Putnam County Golf Course. The keynote speaker for the awards ceremony was WHUD’s morning radio personality Kacey Morabito-Grean.
“These young people are an inspiration,” said Odell. “They give of their time, their talent and their hearts to better the community. They touch people’s lives and make a difference. I am proud to consider these students the future leaders of Putnam County.”
The students that were honored are: Carli Ceckanowicz, Kaitlynn Figueroa, Vincent Garofalo, Giana Grandetti, Maggie McDonnell, Meghan Mammola, Justin Mazzarisi, Philip Nicklin, Shauna Ricketts, Patrick Salerno, Robert Salerno, William Salerno, Jenna Schweigler, Greg Tock and Sarah Warren.
“It amazes me how involved these students are in their community,” said Janeen Cunningham, director of the Youth Bureau. “Theses students are an example of how we can become better citizens in the future by working hard in order to achieve success.”
The Youth Awards Dinner is an annual event hosted by the Putnam County Youth Bureau to recognize youth for their outstanding community service to the county.
“I want you to promise us that you will always remember how grateful we are to you for making our community a better place to be,” said Morabito-Grean, a Cold Spring resident, to the students as she gave her speech. “You gave of yourself. You changed lives. You are only in your teens but you have already done so much good… We cannot wait to see what you’re going to do next and in advance we thank you.”
The Putnam County Youth Bureau is responsible to the County Executive for coordinating and supplementing the activities of public, private and religious agencies devoted in whole or in part to the welfare, development and protection of youth. The Youth Bureau has the primary responsibility of advocating for the youth of Putnam County and promoting positive youth development.
Photo Caption: County Executive MaryEllen Odell and WHUD morning show host Kacey Morabito-Grean with the 15 students honored at the Putnam Youth Awards Dinner on March 28. The students that were honored are: Carli Ceckanowicz, Kaitlynn Figueroa, Vincent Garofalo, Giana Grandetti, Maggie McDonnell, Meghan Mammola, Justin Mazzarisi, Philip Nicklin, Shauna Ricketts, Patrick Salerno, Robert Salerno, William Salerno, Jenna Schweigler, Greg Tock and Sarah Warren.