Spring of 2024 found outstanding Monroe County Youth and Youth Advocates being honored at Monroe County Community College in Brighton.
Monroe County Executive Adam Bello, County Legislators, and the Monroe County Youth Bureau Director gathered to recognize the outstanding recipients. The Young Citizen of the Year and Willie W. Lightfoot Youth Advocate of the Year Awards represent two of the highest honors for youth and adult leadership, community service, advocacy and perseverance. These awards pay tribute to outstanding citizens who exhibit remarkable leadership, perform extraordinary acts on behalf of others, or have served as a role model for youth advocacy.
Seven youth who are active with the Monroe County 4-H program were recognized for their impact in the community. The 4-H Program, offered through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Monroe County (CCE-Monroe), encourages youth to engage in hands-on activities and opportunities that encourage the development of life skills. This experiential learning helps to build leadership skills, including public speaking, personal development, decision-making, self-management, and citizenship. In return, youth who participate in 4-H find a supportive and inclusive environment led by caring adults dedicated to providing 4-H youth with the positive experiences they need to become tomorrow’s leaders.
Silas Alvarez began his 4-H career during the pandemic as part of virtual Creative Chefs’ Week. He has since participated in Produced in New York silent foods demonstrations and volunteered in the summer with 4-H at the Strong Museum. Silas was part of an entrepreneurial event, Grow-NY where he highlighted his Silas Sauce business. Silas has taken part in career exploration at a statewide 4-H event at Cornell University and traveled as a delegate to Washington D.C. to participate in Ignite by 4-H, a national youth summit, to create a community action project supporting Youth Mental Health.
Soleil DiSalvo is a teen with the 4-H Cultivating Community Program. Soleil has worked for two years with the program which supports community gardens throughout the four quadrants of Rochester.
Soleil is motivated by her future goals and aspirations and has a deep connection with family and community. Soleil was instrumental in planning an anti-littering campaign and participated actively in litter clean up in the neighborhood near the Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence. She has pulled invasive species, painted kindness rocks, and spread positive messages through sidewalk chalk art.
Evelyn Kaproth-Joslin joined 4-H in 2020. She has excelled in the 4-H Public Presentations program as a skilled presenter and by stepping into leadership roles as a possibility model, room host, and evaluator. Evelyn brings youth voice to the Monroe County 4-H Advisory Committee, and completes many community service activities. Evelyn has also been instrumental in supporting the formation of the 4-H Canine Club.
Veronica Miranda is a 4-H participant at the Aspira Mentoring Program offered by Ibero-American Action League. Veronica has been caring for vegetables being grown hydroponically at the school and has been an idea generator for the 4-H Program. She has participated in community service, visiting seniors at St. Ann’s Community and helping to plan a litter clean up at the beach.
Yadiel Moreno is a member of the 4-H Program with Ibero-American Action League’s Aspira Mentoring Program. He displays a keen passion and interest in having an active role in his community. Yadiel was involved as a supporter of the community blood drive held at his school and has interacted with elders when visiting St. Ann’s Community to distribute Valentine cards and letters.
Avery Pude joined 4-H as a cloverbud and has grown exponentially in her 4-H participation. Avery is often found in a leadership role. At the New York State Fair she was a teen leader in the poultry area. She has promoted dairy products at a back to school bash and brought her chickens to Mary Cariola Center to allow students to experience and learn about them. She is always excited to try new experiences including showing a pig and participating in Adventure Weekend at 4-H camp.
Gianni Robles has been part of CCE Monroe and 4-H for several years and has shown exceptional leadership, problem solving, teamwork, and motivation throughout his time with the organization.
Gianni consistently acts as a model for other youth, always staying focused on the task at hand and expanding his knowledge on any given subject. His determination motivates other students to work harder and take pride in whatever work is being completed. He has completed many painting and cleaning projects at the CCE Monroe facility, tended the gardens in their South Lawn Project, and supported community gardens throughout Rochester.
4-H Team Leader Susan Coyle shares, “It is an honor for the 4-H Program to work with these wonderful youth leaders. It is a joy to watch them grow, develop, and learn while they support their community.”
Learn more about 4-H at http://monroe.cce.cornell.edu/4-h-youth-development.
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