June 18, 2018

Oneida County Hosts Inaugural Youth Awards Dinner

News Photo

Eleven Honored for Community Contributions

Eight youth and three adults were honored for their positive impact on the community at the inaugural Oneida County Youth Awards Dinner.

The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Oneida County Youth Bureau and the winners were anonymously selected by a reading committee comprised of Youth Advisory Board members. The honorees were nominated by various school districts and community youth serving agencies.

“The exceptional qualities possessed by these honorees are something that all members of our community should strive to emulate,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “This event demonstrates that the future of Oneida County is in good hands with outstanding youth who are being guided by equally outstanding adults.”

The winners were as follows:

  • Distinguished Volunteer Award (Youth)
    • Tina Jarasarevic
  • Spirit of Success Awards (Youth)
    • Makka Adam Djouma
    • Brandon Parry
  • Positive Change Leading to Success (Youth)
    • Samuel Kuryla
    • Yupha Lwin
  • Exceptional Leadership Award (Youth)
    • Alexandria Burger
    • Stephen Ventura
    • Sophie Wittenbeck
  • Distinguished Youth Employee Award (Adult)
    • Grady Faulkner
  • Rising Star in Youth Services Award (Adult)
    • Lia Savage
  • Connecting Our Community Award (Adult)
    • Tiffany Boykin

“We have positive stories that will continue highlighting our amazing youth and adults working in youth services here within Oneida County,” said Oneida County Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green. “This is the beginning of a landmark annual event which will focus on uniting community-minded youth and adults by spotlighting their extraordinary qualities for many years to come.

Back Row: (L-R) Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., Lia Savage, Samuel Kuryla, Tiffany Boykin, Grady Faulkner, Oneida County Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green, Oneida-Herkimer-Madison BOCES Superintendent, Howard Mettelman.

Front Row: (L-R) Makka Adam Djouma, Sophie Wittenbeck, Stephen Ventura, Tina Jasarevic, Yupha Lwin.

 

 

Oneida County Partners