Saugerties village mayor William Murphy with community youth award winners Amelia Wood and Joshua Bush, and with Mary Olsen, who coordinates the youth recognition program. Award winner Allyson DeCelle was not present to receive her award. (Photo by David Gordon)
Three Saugerties youths were honored at the village board meeting this Monday, June 3. They received the Community Youth Awards, a program developed by SAGE (Saugerties is About Growth Experience). The awards recognize young people who have been “caught” making good choices and doing good deeds. The program has been adopted by the town and village governments, the Saugerties Boys and Girls Clubs and Family of Woodstock.
This year’s recipients are:
Amelia Wood, 12:
Amelia was nominated by Boys and Girls Club unit director Lindsey Quick, who says she is a great help when it comes to helping other members, staff, and the club in general. Amelia participates in a lot of programs and sets an example for younger members. When the club has special programs and needs volunteers, Amelia is the first to sign up to help.
She leads classmates and also sets a great example for her peers. “We are proud to have Amelia as part of the Boys and Girls Club,” Quick said.
Joshua Bush, 12:
Nominator Jack Breen says Josh is in his second year at the alternative learning program in Saugerties. He has become an exemplary leader in his sixth-grade class and in the Cahill School. He makes announcements on the PA system in the morning and after school. He regularly reads fairy tales to the children in the first and second grades.
When youngsters in the younger alternative program need support and compassion, Josh is a ready volunteer with a magic touch. His community service at Cahill is exemplary.
Allyson DeCelle, 17:
Missy Greco nominated Allyson, who is treasurer of the Saugerties High School Key Club International. She recently applied for a grant from Key Club International for the club’s backpack program. Out of 140 applicants for the Key Club’s Youth Opportunities Fund Grant, the Saugerties program was one of the limited number of clubs to receive it. The club was awarded $1200 as a result of Allyson’s hard work and community service.
“Ally is an excellent officer and role model for the entire club,” said advisor Greco, “and they are lucky to have such a dedicated young lady as treasurer.”
DeCelle was not present at the village board meeting to receive her award.
