Editor’s note: This press release was provided by the Pelham Civic Association.

(June 10, 2020 – Pelham, NY) Founded in 1939, The Pelham Civic Association, is one of Westchester County’s most active volunteer, charitable organizations – dedicated to assisting the youth, elderly, mentally & physically challenged and financially needy. Under the leadership of Pelham Civic Awards Co-Chair Chris Constant, the Civics presented six Community Awards totaling $27,500 to exemplary Pelham Memorial High School students on June 8, 2021.

These awards recognize special students who not only excel academically, but have also made significant contributions to our community through their leadership in volunteer time, actions, talents and dedication. These honorees selected serve as role models for compassion and service, as they demonstrated enthusiasm and motivation in the areas of community service, charitable support, civic leadership, and creativity in service:

ANTHONY SENERCHIA MEMORIAL SERVICE AWARD ($2,000) is presented to a graduating high school senior residing in Pelham, NY who demonstrates strong community service by giving back to the community. Such actions would be best represented by helping the next generation of students reach their full potential whether through teaching/assisting younger students with after school programs, activities, studies or equivalent. The 2021 winner is Giovanna Vitale.  Giovanna volunteered her time at numerous organizations in both the town of Pelham as well as other local communities through her involvement with Intensive Therapeutics, Camp Helping Hands and Edumate NYC where she devoted her energy to supporting younger students with improving their educational and occupational skills.  In addition, Giovanna was actively involved with the Women’s Empowerment Club, Pelham Eliminates Plastics, and the Environmental Science Club during her time at PMHS. Congratulations to Giovanna Vitale!

JOSEPH L. NUNZIATA AWARD FOR CREATIVITY AND SERVICE ($2,500) is presented to a graduating high school senior residing in Pelham, NY who best represents her or his outstanding creative talents for the benefit of others. This may include creative disciplines such as writing, art, graphic design, photography, and creative and strategic concepts that enhance the lives of others. The 2021 winner is Vanessa Rosado.  Vanessa is passionate about using her social and organizational skills to advance the theater arts in the Pelham Community. More specifically, Vanessa has been a stage manager for the Pelham Children’s Theater since the 9^th grade. Whether it is her experience “on the stage” or “behind the stage,” her time volunteering has taught her about the community wide effort needed for a successful production. In addition, Vanessa was a team leader for the Nobody Leaves Mid-Hudson fundraiser this past year and was active with the Students for Refugees and Women’s Empowerment Clubs during her time at PMHS. Congratulations to Vanessa Rosado!

HILDA E. PORTER, RN, PHD, FNB-BC SUPPORT AWARD ($2,500) is presented to a graduating high school senior residing in Pelham, NY who desires to apply their talents to the study of disciplines within health and sciences. This may include medical care, nursing, medicine or dental studies wherein they would benefit others and give back to their community in the future. The 2021 winner is Lowell Finster. Lowell is enthusiastic about a future career in medicine. During the past two summers, Lowell participated in the Memorial Sloan Kettering Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program and was an observer in the Division of Obstetric Anesthesia, Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Lowell credits these experiences with furthering his passion for entering the medical field. In addition to his interest in medicine, Lowell was actively involved with coaching youth hockey and was President of his school’s Business League, a member of the Cancer Awareness Club and Vice President of the Tests of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Science (TEAMS) Club. Congratulations to Lowell Finster!

CAMILLO D’URSO CHARITABLE SUPPORT AWARD ($8,000) is presented to either a high school, college or graduate student who resides in Pelham, NY and who best exemplifies leadership and support in charitable work. Recipient will demonstrate generous actions, donation of time, money, service or help to persons less fortunate or organizations that provide for those in need. The 2021 winner is Nya Haseley-Ayende.  Over the course of her time at PMHS, Nya was dedicated to tutoring fellow students in math and sciences. In addition, Nya also tutored at the Pathways College Preparatory School, a New York City public school for low-income students in Queens, NY. During her time volunteering at Pathways, Nya worked with the Principal to offer free classes to students in order to increase the number of students earning their Advanced Regents Diploma. Nya was also a member of the Black Student Empowerment Club and was a “Student Equity Leader” representing Pelham Memorial High School, in coordination with Pelham United. Congratulations to Nya Haseley-Ayende!

VINCENT LOPARDI COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD ($10,000) is presented to a graduating high school senior residing in Pelham, NY and who best exemplifies outstanding civic pride and community spirit. Recipient will demonstrate active participation in facing community real life problems and issues by offering his or her skills to the needs of the community. The 2021 winner is Sophia Leung.  In addition to being the President of the Student Association this year, Sophia founded the Pelham Equity Book Drive where she worked with school administrators and community members to compile resources and book lists for donors to purchase books and collected donations in an effort to diversify elementary classroom libraries in Pelham. Sophia has collected more than $3,500 worth of book donations to date and hopes to reach her goal of adding more than 700 books to Pelham Schools.  Sophia is also an active member of the Pelham Community Rowing Association, the Model UN Club, Drama Club, the Pelham Examiner, and the Westchester Youth Empowerment Council for Change. Congratulations to Sophia Leung!

HON. RICHARD J. DARONCO CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARD ($1,500) provides expense reimbursement to high school students who serve as Pelham representatives to the Model Congress of Model United Nations Program, or similar program with expenses paid up to $1,500, which provides reimbursement of costs associated with a Model UN conference . The 2021 winners are Olivia Pollock and Ulysses Conrad. Both Olivia and Ulysses are leaders of Pelham’s Model UN Club and are proud to serve as Pelham’s representatives at conferences next year. Congratulations to Olivia and Ulysses.

PHILIP J. COLICCHIO LEADERSHIP AWARD ($1,000), presented each year to the incoming Pelham Memorial High School President of the Student Association, allows for the recipient to attend a leadership conference of their choice. The 2021 winner is Caitlin Winston.

All of our award winners and their families attended the Pelham Civics June monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 9^th.

This year’s Pelham Civic Community Awards Committee was Co-Chaired by Pelham Civic Members Chris Constant and Darrell Walsh. It’s other Committee members include John Boyce, Dr. Peter Hoffmann, Victor Metsch, John Pachuta and Nick Senerchia,

For more information on the Pelham Civics please visit pelhamcivics.org.