WESTFIELD AREA Y AWARDS YOUTH OF THE YEAR, GOLDEN VOLUNTEER AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS AT ITS ANNUAL MEETING

On May 15th, the Westfield Area Y presented several special 2014 awards at their Annual Meeting.  The Youth Volunteer Award was presented to Kellie Joyce.  This special recognition is awarded annually to an achieving teen who participates at the Y; the Golden Volunteer Award was presented to Dominic DiGiorgio.  The Golden Volunteer Award is the highest award the Westfield Area Y bestows to honor an individual who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, involvement and service to the Westfield Area Y; and the Character Development Award was presented to Anna Daniels. The Character Development Award is given annually to an individual who has demonstrated particular dedication, involvement and service to the Westfield Area Y and to the principle of youth development, healthy living and social responsibility.   

Kellie Joyce is a senior at Cranford High School who will be attending Villanova University in the fall. Kellie is very passionate about history and politics which led her to participate in the YMCA Model UN and Youth and Government programs for four years in high school.  

She was selected this year by the Youth Governor for a cabinet position as the Secretary of Education. She was chosen to attend the YMCA Conference on National Affairs multiple times through both Model UN and Youth and Government. She is also a dedicated member of the Mock Trial Team. The team was fortunate to reach the county semi-finals each year she was involved, and this year made the county finals. 

Kellie has also been a dedicated member of the Cranford High School swim team, swimming for the team for four years and receiving varsity recognition each year.  

Dominic DiGiorgio began his involvement with the Westfield Area Y as a member of the Y’s Men’s Club and joined the Westfield Board of Directors in 2004.  Dominic actively volunteers and participates in numerous programs and activities to support the Y. While on the Y Board, he has served on a variety committees most notably serving as Chair of the Golf Committee for the past 10 years – resulting in ten very successful golf outings to support the Strong Kids annual support campaign. 

Anna Daniels became involved with the Westfield Area Y as a member and eventually became a fitness instructor. She is a volunteer and team leader with the Strong Kids Campaign via the Fitness “Fun” Raiser and other events including serving as Community Campaign chairperson.  Her involvement with the Y and efforts with the annual support campaign exemplifies the four core values of the Y: respect, responsibility, honesty and caring.   

The Westfield Area Y would like to congratulate Kellie, Dominic and Anna on their exceptional achievements.    

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Visit www.westfieldynj.org to learn more about Westfield Area Y programs.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.