June 7, 2023
2023 Oneida County Youth & Adult Award Winners Announced
Ten youth and two adults were honored today for their positive impact on the community at the 4th Annual Oneida County Youth & Adult Awards Ceremony.
Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green presented the awards to the recipients in the Board of Legislators Chamber at the County Office Building in Utica.
“The exceptional qualities possessed by these honorees are something that all members of our community should strive to emulate,” Picente said. “This annual awards ceremony demonstrates that the future of Oneida County is in good hands with outstanding youth who are being guided by equally outstanding adults.”
The event —which returned for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic— is sponsored annually by the Friends of The Oneida County Youth Bureau. The winners were anonymously selected by a reading committee comprised of Oneida County Youth Advisory Board members. The honorees were nominated by various school districts and community youth-serving agencies.
The 2023 award winners are:
- Distinguished Youth Volunteer Award (Youth)
- Jesse Jandreau (Waterville)
- Spirit of Success Youth Award (Youth)
- Giuseppe Bohning (RFA)
- Jenna Sobel (Whitesboro)
- Commitment to Military Service Award (Youth)
- Zadok Mazur (Adirondack)
- Shawn Williamson (Oriskany)
- Positive Change Leading to Success Youth Award (Youth)
- Frank Austin (Remsen)
- Mathani Badawi (Proctor)
- Exceptional Youth Leadership Award (Youth)
- Marina Cascini (Notre Dame)
- Isabella Stalker (Holland Patent)
- Emma Fasolo (Whitesboro)
- Distinguished Youth Employee Award (Adult)
- Justin Ferreira (VVS)
- Connecting Our Community Award (Adult)
- Sherry Kennerknecht (Holland Patent)
“We have so many positive stories that highlight our amazing youth and adults working in youth services here within Oneida County,” Green said. “I’m proud that this event continues to grow and to unite community-minded youth and adults by spotlighting their extraordinary qualities.”
