2024 Oneida County Youth & Adult Award Winners Announced

Twelve youth and two adults were honored today for their positive impact on the community at the 5^th 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 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 2024 award winners are:

• Distinguished Youth Volunteer Award (Youth)
  • Christopher Brittingham (Notre Dame)

• Spirit of Success Youth Award (Youth)
  • Cheyenne Foley (Sauquoit) (No photo available)
  • Emily Pavlus (New York Mills)

• Commitment to Military Service Award (Youth)
  • Donald Snyder (Notre Dame)
  • Ellis Pomales III (Rome Free Academy)
  • Kler Gay Gay Moo (Proctor)
  • Eric Velazquez (Whitesboro)
  • Averie Wengert (Whitesboro)

• Positive Change Leading to Success Youth Award (Youth)
  • Aimen Shahbain (Proctor)

• Anastasiia Hulida (New York Mills)

• Exceptional Youth Leadership Award (Youth)
  • Emma Falkenmeyer (Vernon-Verona-Sherrill)

• Isaiah Sexton (Notre Dame)

• Distinguished Youth Employee Award (Adult)
  • Lynette Kay (Cornell Cooperative Extension)

• Connecting Our Community Award (Adult)
  • Debbie Finn (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.”

You can watch the video stream of the event here.