Congratulations to our 2024 Livingston County Teen Recognition Award winners - all 10 of them!
Given annually by the Livingston County Board of Supervisors and Youth Bureau, these awards are earned by high school teenagers as young as 15 who are committed to community improvement, demonstrate leadership or are role models for others by virtue of having overcome personal challenges.
The awards recognize youth in the community who subtly go about making the world around them a little more special through their actions and attitudes.
Awardees were recognized at a celebratory dinner April 24 at the Willow Creek Event Center in Lakeville.
Awardees from Avon are listed below.
Lena A.
Lena, a senior, is a student representative on the Restorative Committee of Avon and the School Improvement Team. Both of these committees work to improve the quality of education and community within Avon schools by addressing common concerns and grievances and developing systems to repair and improve relationships.
Lena is enthusiastic about the work of each committee and creative in her approach to improving the school community.
Lena regularly volunteers ideas and her time and talents to these endeavors. She has a special knack for making others feel welcome and participates in restorative circles, modeling positive communication skills and compassion for others. She addresses student concerns with creative ideas and looks to bolster the student body’s morale with fun games and seasonal activities.
She is comfortable with both students and adults and is a reliable and trustworthy partner in school improvement.
Lena is the student you know you can count on. If she signs up to run a freshmen circle, you do not need to wonder if she will be there. She will arrive ahead of time, prepared and with a smile.
She is a role model for younger students and also her peers who see her as a kind, caring and authentic person.
She presents as comfortable in multiple settings from volunteering in the elementary, middle and high schools to participating in meetings with administrators. She knows how to work towards consensus as shown in her ability to contribute to the work of the SIT committee to present options for scheduling to improve productivity and learning.
Lena is also on the yearbook staff and frequently attends games and extracurricular activities to photograph these events. As a member of the art club, she has participated in community events to promote the arts and provide fun for young people. Lena’s leadership is admired by peers and staff
Rebecca Rio, Avon Central School District Restorative Committee
Isobel B.
Isobel, a junior, is a strong, compassionate and determined young lady. Even facing adversity, she consistently rises to the occasion, demonstrating remarkable maturity beyond her years. She manages household responsibilities, ensures the well-being of her two younger sisters, and consistently strives to maintain a sense of normalcy for her family. Isobel’s resilience extends far beyond the walls of her home.
At school, she is a passionate and engaged individual. Her involvement in numerous clubs and organizations speaks to her dedication. From student council and band to the creative writing club, page turners and cheerleading, she gives her all with enthusiasm, dedication and maturity.
She actively participates in Restorative Community of Avon, contributing her time and talents to foster positive relationships and understanding within our school. Her excellent social skills and genuine concern for the growth of others shines through as she develops and facilitates relationship-building activities and circles for elementary school students and helps train her peers. Additionally, she coaches the Avon Legends youth cheer team, sharing her passion and skills with young children.
Balancing academic rigor with her family and community commitments, Isobel has taken on the ambitious challenge of graduating a year early. Her drive to succeed is fueled by a deep-seated desire to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner, offering support and healing to those struggling with mental health challenges.
Isobel’s ability to overcome adversity with grace, compassion and a continuous pursuit of excellence makes her an inspiration and excellent role model.
She reminds us every day of the power of the human spirit and the transformative impact of individuals like her who choose to rise above adversity and make a positive difference in the world around them.
There is no doubt that she will continue to find success in her journey while inspiring others to do the same.
Suzanne Freeman, High School Library Media Specialist
Kayla C.
A sophomore at Avon High School, Kayla is kind, patient and truly a role model for every athlete. She is dedicated and devotes much time to the Youth Recreation Cheer Program.
During summer, she teaches tumbling two days a week plus is involved in varsity cheer.
During the school year, Kayla has her intense varsity practices five days a week and two days a week she stays late to support the youth program. Kayla helps manage 35 young athletes and always has a positive word for each. Kayla puts these kids before herself many times. She is extremely appreciated by coaching staff, athletes and parents. She defines what a role model is.
Ashleigh Herkimer, Avon Cheer Coach
Hannah C.
Hannah, a junior, is a mature, motivated, considerate and enthusiastic member of her community. As a member of the Restorative Committee of Avon, Hannah helps facilitate circle discussions and other restorative relationship building activities with elementary and middle school students.
She was also helpful in groups with her peers in a values session that helped outline our community values. Her initiative is greatly appreciated, providing outlines of her planned activities when pushing into the elementary classroom.
Hannah is also very active in many other areas as well. She is a talented musician and participates in both band and chorus.
In chorus this year, she has been selected for all-county and last year she was selected for all-state. She will also be involved in the Rotary Vocal Competition and will be performing at Honor Flight in June.
In her local church, she is a member of both the choir and bell choir.
Her talents have also been seen in a variety of drama club productions such as “Scrooge” and “Sister Act.” Additionally, she was on crew for the middle school production this year.
She is a member of the foreign language club, National Junior Honor Society and interact club. Currently, she is preparing for the Foreign Exchange International Weekend. In school, she is a top student, treasurer for student council, president of the library advisory board and a member of page turners.
For Hannah, service is a way of life and she is a person of her word. She goes above and beyond to help others and to be involved in all aspects of life. Hannah’s contributions to our community are greatly appreciated by both peers and adults.
Rebeca Rio, Avon Central School District Restorative Committee
Ella O.
A senior at Avon High School, Ella is extremely involved in school and brightens all classes with her positive attitude and personality. Her list of awards, offices held in school clubs and volunteer work is quite lengthy.
Her commitment to the art club’s volunteer work earned her an award from the board of education during her junior year. She showed up numerous weekends and evenings to help complete two murals in Avon for the LivCo Mural Festival.
Ella is also a leader of the art club’s face-painting events, always sharing her talents whether it is at the elementary school, high school spirit week events or town festivals.
Her approach to extracurricular pursuits is the same as for her studies - marked by dedication and soul.
Ella’s participation in the yearbook club shows her true leadership and community involvement. While she began taking on just what was asked of her, she moved far from there quickly.
As a junior member last year, she stepped up into an editorial role without ever being asked. Students were leaning on her heavily for help and she rose to the occasion.
She often helps with extra duties, coming in during open houses to sell books, tracking down students who haven’t turned in pictures or necessary information, making announcements in classes, assisting other members with their pages and photographs and generally going above and beyond.
Ella has been and continues to be a vital part of the yearbook staff. She is a very dependable, hardworking and diligent student and is dedicated to making the book the best it can be for everyone.
Recently, the school principal involved Ella to be on a committee to choose a new school mascot. The committee was made up of students, teachers, administrators, community members and alumni.
Change is difficult and the decisions being made on the committee were not favored by all. Being a part of this committee speaks to Ella’s dedication to our community and her willingness to do difficult things to move forward. Ella gives so freely of herself and her time in so many varied ways that she truly stands out.
Wherever Ella heads next, she is sure to continue her spirit of volunteerism and community commitment.
Elizabeth Patteson, High School Art Teacher
Chloe P.
Chloe, a senior, is a member of the AP government class and National Honor Society. In class, she is always very willing to contribute to discussions and seems genuinely open-minded about contentions topics in American government and politics. She thinks out loud and serves as a great model for other students when it comes to weighing multiple sides of complicated issues.
These qualities make her perfect for going out into the community.
She has been an enthusiastic volunteer for Avon Food Pantry’s pop up pantries on Fridays. She is always willing to step in to fill a need.
She has taken roles in the candy cane fundraiser, Thanksgiving food collection drive and blood drive where she’s taken on both organizational and volunteer roles.
Chloe is kind and pragmatic and Avon High School and the community are lucky to have her involvement.
Alexe Dunham, High School Social Studies Teacher
Molly R.
Molly, a sophomore at Avon High School, is an amazing young lady!
She has been a member of drama club for eight years and has been in more than 20 shows. In 8th grade, Molly was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society. At that time, volunteering wasn’t mandatory because of COVID-19 but that didn’t stop Molly as she safely continued to volunteer in her community.
She has been taking French for the last four years and plans to continue through the rest of high school. In the future, she plans to use her skills and education to become an English as a second language instructor.
She is in the international club and the art club and worked on the local mural at the Avon Driving Park.
She is very active in her church and volunteers there whenever she can including helping with the local Martin Luther King Jr. Day coat drives, Christmas presents for families in need and much more.
On her own personal time, she makes shoe boxes filled with items to send to children in need overseas through Operation Christmas Child.
Molly is truly an inspiration and an asset to her school and community
Michelle Bacchetta, Avon PTA Member and Girl Scout Troop 50107 Leader
Madison S.
A sophomore at Avon High School, Madison is a great inspiration to fellow students. She has turned negative situations into positives by helping others. She has stepped up to help out in health class by doing everything from whipping up smoothies for her peers to sweeping and sanitizing work stations after class.
She says she likes to volunteer because helping others also helps her.
Madison said: “Seeing smiles on others’ faces warms my heart.”
She has been instrumental in a service project with her class creating a bottle and can recycling program to reduce general trash in the classrooms. Each Thursday, Madison and her classmates make rounds in the high school collecting recyclables.
All proceeds from the recyclables are donated to a local non-profit organization, New York Green.
Madison is such a positive influence not only in how she’s coped with hardships but how she’s used it to benefit those around her.
Chris Cole, High School Health and Physical Education Teacher
Gavin W.
A senior in high school, Gavin is an incredible young man who never gives up.
Early on in his high school career, Gavin’s future career plans changed and he decided to attend classes at BOCES to study cosmetology. He’s worked very hard in school and at BOCES and has become quite successful at hairdressing. The combination of his charisma, personality and skills has already landed him a full-time job as a lead stylist upon his graduation in June!
He has an incredible history of not giving up, which is something his peers have witnessed and learned from.
He has become very mature through this and truly desires to make a difference in the world.
He is not afraid to stand up for peers or teachers.
He has an entrepreneurial spirit and wants to become a successful salon owner and landlord, not for his personal gain, but so he can use that money to make a difference in the world.
If anyone can accomplish this goal, Gavin can.
Jennie Endersby, High School Math Teacher
Abby W.
Abby is involved in numerous school clubs including art club, international club and National Honor Society. Her involvement speaks volumes about her character and commitment but it is her dedication and impact at the EquiCenter that truly sets her apart.
The mission of the EquiCenter is to “foster growth, wellness and educational opportunities for people of all ages and abilities through the power of equestrian, horticultural and outdoor experiences.” Abby has embraced this mission wholeheartedly.
She has spent the past three years working hard and devoting her time to honing her skills in side walking and horse handling in order to effectively support the EquiCenter’s clientele.
For much of this school year, she has dedicated four afternoons a week and at least one weekend day to the EquiCenter which reveals her commitment to serving others.
Her gentle spirit and genuine compassion have helped her to form lasting bonds with several children with special needs. Witnessing their progress through equine therapy has deeply affected her, even leading her to write a book about one child’s experiences. This remarkable act, culminating in presenting the book to him on his birthday, reflects her dedication and the impact she makes on these young lives.
Her commitment to service isn’t just confined to the EquiCenter either.
This past holiday season, Abby orchestrated a bake sale at the Avon Holiday Spectacular, donating all proceeds toward purchasing gifts for children at Golisano Children’s Hospital. This initiative showcases her ability to mobilize her talents and resources for the benefit of others.
She also readily engages with and advocates for classmates who might otherwise be overlooked. It is abundantly clear from her demeanor and actions that she isn’t doing any of this because she feels she should or that she needs to in order to prove herself in some way but because her life calling is to serve others.
Abby’s unwavering dedication to community service, compassion for those in need and humility make her an exemplary young woman who is an inspiration to all.
Suzanne Freeman, High School Library Media Specialist