Norristown Orchestra Student Among 12 Honored For 'Good Citizenship'

Twelve members of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra (PYO) were among the 2016 recipients of the prestigious Good Citizenship Award presented by the Youth Work Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (ULP).

The awards, which recognize the accomplishments of outstanding young citizens who participate in the ULP’s Youth Work Day Program, were presented during the Foundation’s annual Good Citizenship Award Dinner at the Union League. The talented young PYO musicians who received the 2016 Good Citizenship Award come from across the Delaware Valley. They include:

• Sarah Jang (16) – PYO – Viola – Cherry Hill, NJ
• Benjamin Kenzakowski (17) – PYAO – French Horn – Norristown, PA
• Daniel T. Kim (17) – PYO – Cello – Cherry Hill, NJ
• Austina Lin (17) – PYO – Violin – Berwyn, PA
• Conor McAvinue (17) – PYO – Viola – Wilmington, DE
• Kathryn Song (16) – PYO – Violin – Belle Mead, NJ
• Miles Shore (17) – PYO – Bassoon – Yardley, PA
• Maria Thomas (17) – PYO – Clarinet – Wyndmoor, PA
• Ehren Valme (17) – PYO – Trombone – Burlington, NJ
• Xiao (Olin) Wei) (17) – PYO – Flute – Wynnewood, PA
• Jessica Zhang (17) – PYAO – Cello – Phoenixville, PA
• Joy Zhao (16) – PYO – Cello – Chalfont, PA

President and Music Director Louis Scaglione sees the signature goal of PYO is to provide challenging programming that builds and reinforces the character of its students.

Scaglione explained, “While pursuing their musical education taught by our outstanding staff, the PYO students develop life skills that will serve them well into the future. We are very proud that a dozen of our remarkable young people have been recognized as Good Citizens and how well they represent our organization in all of their endeavors.”

The Youth Work Foundation’s programs recognize, educate, and motivate high school students who demonstrate the attributes of a good citizen. Over the past 70 years, the Good Citizenship Award has been presented to nearly 17,000 young people. This year, 300 young men and women were recognized at the Award Dinner.

Just completing its 76th year, the renowned Philadelphia Youth Orchestra organization, is one of the nation’s oldest and most respected community music education and youth orchestra performance programs.