Devre & London Each Receive Westfield Area YMCA Award

Each year, the Westfield Area YMCA bestows the special “Youth of the Year” recognition to two high achieving youth who participate at the Y. This year, the award was presented to Alexis Devre and Olivia London.

Alexis Devre first came to the YMCA to attend lifeguarding class thanks to a grant from Stew Leonard III Children’s Charities. She obtained her lifeguard certification and then her swim instructor certification, and has been a warm and welcoming ambassador to the Y. Whether lifeguarding or instructing, Alexis is always smiling, punctual and focused. She has volunteered to help with events such as Swim with Santa and Pizza Palooza and spoke at the Y’s Annual Campaign launch, attesting to what the Y has meant to her.

Alexis has been on the track and field and swim team for the last 3 years at Arthur L. Johnson High School, is a member of her Key Club and completed the year-long Union County Sheriff’s Office Police Academy. In the fall, Alex will study Criminal Justice at Stockton University with a goal of working in law enforcement.

When looking for a youth role model at the Westfield Area Y, it is hard not to think of Olivia London. Olivia is a sports and rock wall coach, a Kid's Club staff member, a Flyer's track & field team coach, works when needed in birthday parties and volunteers at many of the Y’s fundraisers and events. This is not surprising, though, since Olivia literally grew up at the Y, participating in a wide variety of programs and activities.

Olivia has been an active Girl Scout since Kindergarten, most recently spending time with her troop at Children's Specialized Hospital. She is a long-time member of St. Helen's Youth Ministry in Westfield and volunteers to work with the children weekly at the homeless shelter in Edison. Olivia also volunteers with Catholic Work Heart Camp and spent a week last summer in Hartford painting houses and assisting families in need. This fall Olivia will attend Stockton University to study Nutrition and Holistic Health.

The Y is for youth development, healthy living and social responsibility and is pleased to bestow this honor on two such well deserving community-oriented youth.

Pictured here (L-R): Westfield Area YMCA CEO Mark Elsasser, award recipients Alexis Devre and Olivia London, and Westfield Area YMCA Board Chair, John Cronin