Watertown Youth Coalition
The recipients of the Community Spirit Awards, who were honored for their work in the Watertown community.
The Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC) celebrated their 9th Annual Community Spirit Awards event held on Tuesday, June 20, 2017, the group announced. Community members gathered at Arsenal Park to recognize and honor people for going above and beyond to support Watertown youth and families.
Each year, the WYC asks the community to nominate people who:
- Serve as a positive influence or mentor to a Coalition member or to others in the community
- Have the courage to address challenging issues that affect youth and the community
- Actively take steps to improve the Watertown community (in big and small ways)
The WYC was pleased to present awards to:
Rev. Mike Clark, Belmont-Watertown United Methodist Church, for his work supporting people in the addiction recovery community.
Eileen Donahue, Physical Education Teacher, Lowell School, for her outstanding Leadership qualities working with youth of all ages and building collaborations between athletes and students.
Kerry Evans, Boys and Girls club staff, for spearheading a successful teen night at the club.
Caitlin Graham, Watertown Resident, for serving as a resource and being a support to those in the community trying to get treatment and maintain sobriety from substance use disorders.
Shariel Joseph, Watertown High School student and WYC peer leader, for her dedication and passion to the Watertown Youth Coalition and as a Youth Wellness Champion.
Marcus Moore, Watertown High School student and WYC peer leader, for his commitment to the Watertown Youth Coalition and work with the 84 Movement.
Becket Rhodes, Adjustment Counselor WHS, for her past and present work with youth.
Donna Ruseckas, Director of Wellness and Extended Services,Watertown Public Schools, for her dedication to the health and well-being of Watertown Public School students.
Gideon Schreiber, Watertown Resident, for his tireless work planning, building, and maintaining the Lowell School Learning Garden.
Stephanie Venizelos, Live Well and W.A.T.E.R.town task force, for her involvement with healthy living groups and initiatives in Watertown.
Brenda and Eric Manning and Greg Salvucci: Challenger Little League Baseball Team, for the creation of a baseball team for disabled children.
Watertown Youth Coalition
Four Watertown High School students were honored with WYC Peer Leadership Service Awards for their contributions to the community.
Danielle DeMoss from Wayside Multi-Service Center, Judy Fallows from Watertown Public Schools, and Ernie Thebado from the Recreation Department who have received Spirit Awards in recent years, received honorable mentions.
Shariel Joseph, Ashley Mawanda, Marcus Moore, and Kaitlin Tracy, Watertown High School students were recognized for their contributions to the community with WYC Peer Leadership Service Awards.
We applaud these awardees and the people that nominated them. Watertown is a wonderful community with so many caring adults looking out for the interest of the youth living here!
The WYC would also like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Sara Murtagh and Not Your Average Joe’s, Watertown, for their generous food donation for the event.
The event was organized by Wayside Multi-Service Center staff, Melanie St. Pierre, Dawn Graham, Domenica Puleo and Stephanie Sunderland -Ramsey.
About Watertown Youth Coalition
The Watertown Youth Coalition (WYC), overseen by Wayside Multi-Service Center, is a community coalition of youth, parents, residents, educators, police officers, health and medical professionals and local business owners committed to promoting healthy and positive lifestyles among Watertown youth.