4 South Huntington Students Earn Distinguished Youth Awards

HUNTINGTON STATION, NY — Four students of Walt Whitman High School were honored as gold, silver, and bronze recipients of the Suffolk County Legislature’s Distinguished Youth Award (DYA), Suffolk County Legislator Tom Donnelly (D — Deer Park) announced.

The students earned the awards after completing a year-long program and were each recognized with medals, certificates and proclamations in a special ceremony during the presentation portion of the Legislature’s General Meeting in Hauppauge in June.

The DYA program challenges Suffolk County adolescents to begin or continue their journeys of
personal growth through various initiatives that provide opportunities for them to become more civically engaged in their communities.

Established by Legislative Resolution 419-2017, the innovative program focuses on volunteer service, personal development, exploration and physical fitness. Students commit to completing requirements in two, three or all four categories for bronze, silver or gold recognition. Each category can require up to 100 or more hours of activity that must be logged and certified. The program is open to all Suffolk County youth between ages 13 and 18.

Students honored from the 17th Legislative District were: Jordan Badalamenti (Gold),
Kaitlyn Barraco (Silver), Gavin Bermudez (Bronze) and Carly Mineo (Bronze), all students
at Walt Whitman High School in the South Huntington School District.

“I commend all of these remarkable students for their commitment and enthusiasm,” Donnelly said. “They demonstrated initiative in embarking on the program and dedication in sticking with it to completion. They should be very proud of themselves and are truly deserving of recognition.”

A second class of Distinguished Youth Award Recipients is set to be honored before a general
meeting of the Legislature this fall.