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Boys & Girls Club 2018 Youth of the Year Awards

Apr 11, 2018

Boys Girls Club Group — There were five candidates for the Boy’s & Girls Club of the Hudson Valley 2018 Youth of the Year. They were all from the two Newburgh High Schools, and included from left; Deanna Telesford (NFA North Senior), Kai Cuttino (NFA North Senior), Simone Green (NFA Main Campus Junior), Roneea Thompson (NFA Main Campus Junior), and Jaslyn Martinez (NFA Main Campus Sophomore.)

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEW WINDSOR – Kai Cuttino can’t hold back a smile when she talks about the Boys and Girls Club of the Hudson Valley.

“They have made me the person I am today, reflected the Newburgh Free Academy North Campus senior. “They have taught me dedication, focus, determination, and how to push myself to be the best I can be.”

All of those characteristics came to fruition Thursday night at Anthony’s Pier 9 where Cuttino was revealed as “The 2018 Youth of the Year” for the Boys and Girls Organization she has been attending since 2004.

Also announced at the Ceremony was “The 2018 Junior Youth of the Year” recipient, Steven Gonzalez, a sixth grader at Newburgh’s South Middle School, a High Honor Roll student who excels in music and math. Cuttino further earned the esteemed honor of qualifying for this month’s State competition, along with an ensuing opportunity to qualify for Regionals and Nationals.

Originating in 1947, the Youth of the Year has been the chief recognition event for Boys & Girls Clubs across the country. Starting with smaller scale “Youth of the Month” events, candidates then move on through the process, having their portfolios judged as well as taking part in a rigid interview process, whose judges then blindly cast their votes based upon five categories. Once finalists are in place, a Youth of the Year, one on the Junior level, is then selected based upon three primary areas: academic success, good character and citizenship and healthy lifestyles. This year’s qualifiers included five in the Junior Youth of the Year and another five in the older level, Youth of the Year.

On Thursday night at Anthony’s Pier 9 in New Windsor, The Boys & Girls Club of the Hudson Valley 2018 Youth of the Year Gala took place. The event honored Club participants from two categories; one was the Junior Youth of the Year. Those candidates included; Steven Gonzalez (South Middle School in Newburgh), Jada Cammuk (Poughkeepsie Middle School), Brianna Reese (Fostertown Elementary School), and Hunter Jenkins (Poughkeepsie Middle School.)

One of the Junior Youth of the Year qualifiers, Jada Cammuk, a seventh grader at Poughkeepsie Middle School has truly blossomed in an array of areas from her Boys and Girls first year experience according to her After-School Teacher, Victoria Mackey, who assists with homework, holds group counseling sessions as well as relays pivotal conflicts on key topics such as bulleying.

“Being able to see kids change right in front of your eyes is one of the best parts of this job,” said a proud Mackey. “Jada was shy and quiet and has since flowered into a confident, articulate leader, and it is amazing to see how the younger kids look up to her.”

That pride could be detected Thursday night, as the poised Cammuk stood in front of several posters, showing her “brand,” containing photos of her snowboarding with friends, attending a trip to Yale University, and enjoying the Christmas holiday. An Honor and Principal Roll recipient, Cammuk, also volunteers at several events throughout the year. Like Cuttino, she has felt the undeniable positive effects of the Boys and Girls Club.

“It’s really fun to go there; the teachers are strict cause they want us to do and be our very best,” explained Cammuk. “I have learned from them how to be a leader and stop someone from getting bullied as well as how to help younger kids with homework and other problems.”
In addition to the 2018 “Youth of the Year” winners being unraveled, some exemplary adult figures were also recognized.

Briana Reese, one of the five Junior Youth of the Year candidates at Thursday’s Boys & Girls Club of the Hudson Valley Youth of the Year Gala, stands in front of her billboard, displaying different parts of her “brand.”

Poet “Gold” was awarded “The Excellence in the Arts,” while Michael Paz earned “The Excellence in Athletics” honor, Linda Romano “Excellence in Education” and Reverend Dr. Nelson McAllister took the honors for the “Glenn E. Hines Award for Outstanding Service to the Community.”

In addition to Cuttino, Gonzalez and Cammuk , other Youth of the Year qualifying for the Ceremony included; Hunter Jenkins (Poughkeepsie Middle School), Deja Johnson (Krieger Elementary School), Briana Reese (Fostertown Elementary School), Simone Green (NFA), Jaslyn Martinez (NFA), Deanna Telesford (NFA). Roneea Thompson (NFA.)

Reflecting upon this year’s entire Youth of the Year process, which can be traced back to October, 2017, Cuttino, the 2018 Youth of the Year winner put the process in perspective for all involved. “This has been a really good opportunity to really apply ourselves; we have all worked very hard and have gained so much as a result,” said Cuttino. “Whether it was essay writing, interviewing, creating our own brand or overall communication skills, and whether we won or not, we are all better people as a result of being involved with this amazing competition.”