NORWICH – Now in its third year, the Norwich High School Youth Philanthropy Council held its annual awards presentation Tuesday night in the NHS Library and Media Center.
Youth Philanthropy Council co-advisor Sue Fertig introduced the 11 NHS students that make up the group – seniors Hayley Chwazik-Gee, Cleo Daoud, Lucas Follett, Katie Orioli, Victoria Parsons, Nathaniel Perry, Ethan Steers and Ryan Tomanocy; juniors Angelina Festarini and Patty McNeil and Sophomore John Antonowicz – who were selected following an application process and interview.
The goal of the council, according to Fertig and fellow advisor Elizabeth Monaco, is to get students involved with the non-profit and philanthropic process, teach local youth about the importance and impact it can have, develop leadership skills and better understand the critical needs in Chenango County. As a member, students participate in numerous discussions, write a mission statement and, ultimately, decide on a group of applicants who would share in $10,000 in Chenango United Way and the Foundation of South Central New York funding.
This year, the council decided on a trio of recipients it felt deserving of the grant moneys – the Norwich-based Children’s Center, the Oxford Youth Center and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).
The Children’s Center received $2,000 in funding, presented by Parsons and Steers. Children’s Center Director Darlene Alexander, who accepted the award, considered it was an honor for the center to be recognized at Tuesday night’s presentation.
“It’s refreshing to see youth dedicated to their communities and committed to positive ideals,” she added. “The Children’s Center is especially proud of Victoria Parsons, who was a former attendee at our facility.”
Parsons said that – when she was young – the Children’s Center focused on making every game a learning opportunity.
“From a young age, we were taught important values and skills to help us succeed by a caring and competent staff,” she added. “As I aged out of the program, it was clear that innovations had been made to better the services they provided. This is a trend which has clearly been continued.”
The funding will be used to purchase computers for the center’s 3s and 4s preschool classrooms, and Alexander said she believed they’ll be a “tremendous asset” to the program. More importantly, she added, they will assist and prepare children who – in the not too distant future – may end up as students at NHS and members of the Youth Philanthropy Council, themselves.
Steers said he had advocated for the center from the start, primarily due to its request for funding in order to purchase computers.
“I’m a fan of technology and an even greater fan of children, so naturally, their advancement and development is important to me,” he added. “The center asked for much less than our maximum, but they made a great impact on not just me, but the rest of the group, who almost unanimously chose this program.”
Daoud and Orioli next presented Oxford Youth Center After School Program Director Billie Jo Ross with $3,500 in grant funds, as a non-profit organization committed to providing educational and recreational activities for the students of Oxford.
“We are truly fortunate that we live in a community that supports our youth, and this will give them opportunities that we would never have had without this funding,” said Ross. “We are also pleased that the United Way and the Foundation of South Central New York allow NHS students to be involved in this process, which makes a huge difference in our non-profit organizations.”
Lastly, RSVP received $4,500 in funding, presented by Chwazik-Gee and Antonowicz. As the first sophomore to ever participate in the Youth Philanthropy Council, Antonowicz said he enjoyed giving back to the community, one he added he’s “extremely proud to live in.”
RSVP Program Director Linda Campbell said the funding will help the organization provide educational opportunities to seniors throughout the county, on topics such as computer training, nutrition, wellness and fitness, advance planning and more.
“Susan Fertig and Elizabeth Monaco have provided the eleven members of the Norwich Philanthropy Council with tangible, life-long learning experiences,” she added. “It’s rare to find high school students who are community-minded, understand non-profit human services agencies and are sensitive to those less fortunate than themselves. The students who participated in the council this year have made a real difference in their community through the grant making process.”
Speaking for the entire group, Festarini wished to thank Monaco for her encouragement, devotion and knowledge.
“She has been our guiding light,” she added. “Throughout this whole process Elizabeth devoted herself wholeheartedly to helping us succeed.”
Perry said Fertig was also vital to the council and its success this year.
“Without her, this year’s decision making process would not have gone as smoothly,” he added. “We couldn’t have done it without her.”
In addition to learning and participating in the philanthropic process, McNeil said the group has been working toward expanding the council. Next year, the council hopes to involve other school districts and form a countywide organization with other schools, she added.
For more information on the NHS Youth Philanthropy Council contact Sue Fertig at 334-1600 or Elizabeth Monaco at 334-8815.