Rockland Youth Bureau's 2016 Service Awards Recipients Named

NEW CITY, NY - The recipients of the 2016 Service Awards include two Clarkstown students, a lawmaker, a Muslim community organization and an Orangetown resident.

County Executive Edwin J. Day, the Rockland County Youth Bureau and the Board of Directors will present the awards at the 36th Annual Youth Forum and Awards Dinner May 19 at the Nyack Seaport.

“Congratulations to this year’s honorees for their dedication to their communities as well as the citizens of Rockland County,” said Day in a prepared statement. “May they serve as role models for others, both young and old, to follow in their footsteps.”

The outstanding commitment to community exemplified by the recipients embodies an unparalleled ethic of service, county officials said.

The Joseph A. Myers Service to Youth Award will be presented to two young people. The recipients of this year’s award are Grace Chesterman, a senior at Clarkstown South High School and Brian Huang, a junior at Clarkstown North High School. The Joseph A. Myers award is based solely on the applicant’s volunteer community service, not scholastic achievement or school related activities, clubs, etc. Both student winners will receive a plaque and a $1,000 check in recognition of their selfless commitment.

The Dennis J. Fleming Award will be presented to Harriet Cornell for demonstrating a long-term concern for and involvement in promoting positive youth development to ensure our communities offer young people the services, supports and opportunities to ensure they can develop their full potential.

The Youth Forum Business Award will be presented to the Islamic Center of Rockland for demonstrating an active role in the promotion and support of children, youth and families in Rockland County.

The Father F. Peter Malet Award will be presented to Kerry Beckman for her work as a tireless advocate and worker on behalf of the children of Orangetown and neighboring Rockland communities.

The awards have been made possible through the generosity of Simona & Jerry Chazen, PDI, Chestnut Ridge Transportation, Inc., Ginsburg Development Companies, Orange & Rockland Utilities, Haverstraw Transit, Inc., Inserra Supermarkets, Kathy & Dan Pitiger, Rockland Community College Association Inc., Tilcon New York Inc., and David Farrison, Producto Electric Corp.

Tickets to the event include dinner and are available by contacting Marianne McCarney-Haesche, Assistant Director of the Rockland County Youth Bureau at (845) 638-5166.

PHOTO: 2014 T.E.E.N. Works Graduating Class/rocklandgov.com

Editor's Note: Brian Huang is a junior at Clarkstown North. His grade level was incorrect in the original version of this report.