Presidential Service Award Winners Honored at LHS

The Lindenhurst Council of PTAs recognized the spirit of community service in school kids throughout the district at an awards ceremony at the on night.

The ceremony saluted 48 participants in the President's Volunteer Service Awards program.

Students were awarded bronze, silver or gold pins for community service hours registered during a 12-month period, depending on how many hours they logged.

“These award recipients are leading their young lives by example, the proof being how this program has encouraged others to volunteer their time,” said Council President Laura Chapter.

“Beach clean-up, food drive, elder companionship, safety patrol and helping out at PTA events like the production are just a few of the tasks the students have completed,” she said.

Eleventh-grader Amanda Bartholomew has been involved in the program for three to four years now. Among the service activities she helps with is the Polar Bear Club’s annual benefit jump into icy waters each winter.

“They raise funds to help with cancer,” she said.

Eighth-grader Tiana D’Italia has been putting in service hours for five years now, from clubs in school to beach clean-ups at Gilgo, and also volunteering at the AHRC.

“It just makes me feel good to bring joy to people,” D‘Italia said.

The awards, noted New York State Assemblyman , transcend party lines.

“This program was started by the Clinton administration, and continued by the Bush administration, and now in the Obama presidency,“ he said.

Gold Pin winner , led the way with a whopping 282 hours accumulated.

“I look around and I see kids who go home and play video games, don’t do much else, and I feel for them,” said Thomson. “People need to get involved. The community is your home - every kid in the school should be your brother or sister.”

James Sciascia, from the 14 and younger group, wasn’t far behind, posting 260 hours and earning one of the six Gold Pins for his age group.

Also winning Gold Pins in the same group were Mikayla Rae Bott (100 hours), Sophia Castellano (111), D’Italia (103), Kristy Geyer (105) and Eileen McNulty (215).

Silver Pin winners in the 15 to 25 age category included Brittany Berrent (180.5 hours), Kelly Harnish (189), Caroline Rakus-Wojciechowski (190) and Ryan Young (206).

Among the 14 and younger group, Silver Pins were awarded to Sabrina Abbamont, Alyssa Berrent, Bryan Berrent, Julia Bryant, Emily Gollinge, Julianna Mangine and Jacqueline Rose Poeggel.

The following students in the older category were awarded Bronze Pins: Amanda Bartolomeo, , Michael D’Italia, Kayla Erb, Joseph Flores, Abby Gillam, Kyle Grimes, Doriann Lewis, Thomas Mark, Kaitlyn McAlvin, James Richter, Nick Torres and Dylan Young.

And Bronze Pin winners for the 14 and younger included: Marykate Bayley, Morgan Brown, Olivia Castellano, Delia Delgado, Matthew Delgado, Kayla Nicole Geyer, Samantha Gilbert, Angeline Ginsberg, Genna Hughes, Thomas LaBianca, Danielle McInerny, Darcy O’Brien, Toni Panzer, Alexandra Reilly, Dominique Rivera, Eric Simonetti and Kevin Winston.