Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce announces largest class of Youth Hall of Fame recipients in its history

The Spencerport Area Chamber of Commerce inducted 11 students into its Dennis A. Pelletier  Youth Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Ogden Town Hall on May 12. This is the largest number ever inducted in a single year.

Amal Al-Bokashi

Amal and her family came to the United States from war-torn Yemen four years ago. Despite arriving with limited English, her language skills developed quickly which has helped her to achieve a high level of academic success.

The challenges of moving to a new country and the sudden loss of her father have not derailed Amal’s plans of becoming a doctor and returning to Yemen to help the people there. She has seen firsthand the results of poor healthcare and wants to help right this wrong wherever she goes.

According to Spencerport High School Teacher and nominator Susan D’Orazio, Amal’s “dedication to her education and achieving excellence in all that she does is rooted in her compassion for others.”

During the onset of the pandemic, Amal began volunteering to help the medical community and expressed her wish to already be a doctor so she could work on the frontlines. 

She is the daughter of Zoukrait Albaram.

Julia Brest

Julia has worked diligently to develop coping skills to overcome debilitating anxiety. Her anxiety began in 8th grade and peaked her freshman year which as spent completing her school work from home. She honed her strategies and skills to overcome her fear of leaving the house. Now a junior, she looks forward to coming to school.

Julia is an intelligent, articulate young woman, with a high level of motivation and commitment to personal achievement. Julia has always been an outstanding student with tremendous work ethic. She is a student who excels in school, challenging herself by taking many Advanced Placement (AP) and IB Level courses. Julia has previously volunteered at both Highland and Strong Hospitals, and looks forward to the day when she can go back into the hospital to give back through volunteerism. Additionally, she has volunteered at the Ogden Farmer’s Library, Churchville Elementary School, Bright Star German Shepherd Rescue, and she is a Peer Tutor at school.

Churchville-Chili High School Assistant Principal and nominator Christing DeWald said of Julia, “She has consistently proven herself to overcome her personal obstacles through perseverance and hard work, while also being a high achieving student and giving back to her community.”

Julia’s parents are John and Jennifer Brest.

Grace Dorgan

Grace struggled in school beginning in kindergarten. After a diagnosis of Phonological Dyslexia in third grade, she began a new learning system and three years later was reading above grade level.

As well as being driven to academic excellence, Grace has over 100 hours of volunteer service to the school district and various community organizations

Grace has long dreamed of becoming a doctor. Her hard work to overcome her learning challenges has earned her the academic standing to apply to several pre-med programs for the fall. She plans to study neonatology.

She was nominated by her mother, Susan Polcyn-Dorgan, who commented, “I am so proud of how Grace overcame her challenges and turned them into fuel to help herself and others.”

Brayden Juzwiak

Brayden has continued to overcome challenges related to his orthopedic impairment, Duchenne Syndrome. Despite his medical struggles, he has played on the Unified Basketball team since 9th grade, and participated in Unified Bowling since 10th grade. Brayden enjoys being part of a team and is always willing to support others.

Brayden fatigues easily but always gives a strong effort in the classroom and in sports. He always shows up on time and tries his best during practices and games/matches, even after a long day at school.

Churchville-Chili School Counselor Kelly Kostek nominated Brayden stating, “I know Brayden is very determined to meet his goals, and I can guarantee he will work incredibly hard to achieve them.”

Brayden’s parents are Todd and Wendy Juzwiak.

Bhawana Kami

Bhawana moved to the United States with her family five years ago. She grew up in an impoverished community in Nepal and arrived in the U.S. with very limited English and limited literacy in her first language. She worked extremely hard to gain English skills and succeed in the classroom.

Bhawana values every opportunity and person she encounters. Her gentle personality puts people at ease and allows them to shine. This attitude has brought her success as a student and an individual.

Spencerport Teacher and nominator Susan D’Orazio describes Bhawana as a “very supportive and encouraging leader.”

Bhawana’s mother is Duku Kami.

Zahra Muthanna

Zahra began Elementary School without English language skills. Her hard work and dedication to learning English culminated in her winning the 10th Grade English Student of the Year.

Zahra’s progress from no English to complete proficiency was also demonstrated when she passed the NYSESLAT assessment in middle school and exited the ENL program.

Spencerport Teacher and nominator Susan D’Orazio describes her as “a model in regards to her determination, persistence, and dedication.”

Zahra is a role model to other students encouraging them to meet their goals and even to expand their goals beyond what they previously thought possible.

Zahra’s parents are Yaser Muthanna and Wahda Hussein.

Caitlin O’Hara

Caitlin is a role model for learning how to navigate and cope with a mental health diagnosis. In addition to coping with delays in math and reading and a diagnosis of Duane’s Syndrome, a physical impairment that makes tracking words across a page difficult, she began her first year of high school working to emotionally regulate.

In the beginning she would frequently get “stuck,” causing her to miss class time. Over the last three years, she has worked hard to identify her triggers, appropriately access her support people, and work through the cycling emotions. She did this while keeping up her grades, participating in Unified Bowling and Basketball, volunteering, and, most recently, working.

Spencerport School Counselor and nominator Rebecca DiNatale said, “Caitlin’s smile and sense of humor make her a joy to work with.”

Caitlin’s parents are Patrick and Angella O’Hara.

Emma Seils

Emma is a driven student who has faced many challenges and academic setbacks due to her health.

When she was young, Emma was diagnosed with a primary immune deficiency disorder, which has caused her to miss school for extended periods of time. Emma also overcame the challenges of multiple surgeries which required her to use a wheel chair or crutches for extended periods of time.

Emma constantly pushed to meet academic goals despite gaps in attendance, such as achieving high honor roll and being admitted to both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She has also enjoyed being a member of Stage Crew even with limited mobility at times, where she could help create sets for the school plays.

In addition to school activities, Emma has volunteered through a texting bank where she sent out texts to encourage people to vote in the 2020 election. She also has volunteered for Foodlink and assisted at school events.

She was nominated by her mother, Julie Seils, who commented, “She never let obstacles get in the way of what was important to her, and giving back to her community has always been important.”

Nabat Shaibi

Nabat came to the United States with her family at the beginning of 7th grade. The voyage from Yemen had been perilous at times but Nabat arrived with a resolute devotion to academic excellence.

She began 7th grade with very limited language skills but her hard word earned her the Academic Award for English by the end of the year. Every decision she makes is in pursuit of academic success to meet her long-term goal of becoming a doctor.

In addition to academic success, Nabat’s kindness, positivity, caring nature, and generosity are the best possible qualities for a future doctor.

Spencerport Teacher and nominator Susan D’Orazio describes her as “an exemplary student and model citizen who has risen above many challenges in life to achieve great success.”

She is the daughter of Ameen Shaibi.

Evan Veltz

Evan has long-aspired to a career in the military. Due to several learning delays and disabilities, he began high school in a non-diploma bound 12:1:1 program which made him ineligible for service. With hard work and a positive mindset, Evan brought his military aspirations within reach by working toward his diploma beginning at the end of his sophomore year.

Spencerport School Counselor and nominator Rebecca DiNatale describes Evan as “an enthusiastic learner. He works hard and puts in tremendous effort to be successful in all of his classes.” She also describes him as one of the nicest, most respectful she’s ever had the pleasure of working with.

In participating in the Building Trades program at WeMoCo, he developed a love for carpentry and hopes to have a career where he can work with his hands and be active. 

Evan’s father is David Veltz.

Jasmine Wood

Despite mental health challenges and pandemic restrictions, Jasmine graduated from Churchville-Chili Senior High School a semester early.

Jasmine’s road has not been smooth, as she has dealt with major bouts of depression requiring multiple hospitalizations.

Margie Rudy, School Counselor and nominator, describes Jasmine as a “bright, caring young lady. Jasmine worked incredibly hard to get to where she is and I am very proud of her for continuously fighting a very difficult battle.”

Now a high school graduate, Jasmine has a job, a driver’s license, and plans to attend college in the fall of 2021.

Her mother is Amanda Puleo.