Exceptional youngsters on Long Island were recently recognized by Supervisor John Venditto and Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. co-founders Robert and Philip Eslick as winners of the 2014 Kids of Distinction community scholarship program.
Jordyn Seri, a senior at Plainview-Old Bethpage High School, was one of the 10 recipients of the honor. For contributions to her community, Seri received a commemorative plaque and a $2,000 academic scholarship check.
Venditto and the Eslicks honored Seri because the young adult has “spent the best years of her life doing what she does best, helping others.”
Seri is an ongoing member of the Plainview-Old Bethpage John F. Kennedy High School Community Service Club, participating in benefits hosted by the club, including the Senior Citizen Prom and an event that featured writing holiday cards to soldiers abroad.
“At the high school’s college fairs, Jordyn has acted as a student ambassador where she helped greet admissions representatives and guide them to where they could sing in and set up their booths,” said a
Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. spokesperson. “In addition to this, Jordyn has tutored middle school students free of charge in order to help them with organizational skills, time-management and studying tips.”
Seri was also honored for her involvment in the Environmental Club where she helped recycle bins of plastic bottles, as well as her participation in a program called Dogability, where she acted as a mediator between children with mental or physical disorders and trained therapy dogs.
“It is because of Jordyn’s strong drive to help others, that the Town of Oyster Bay is proud to recognize Jordyn as a 2014 ‘Kid of Distinction,’” said Venditto.
The winners were selected by the Kids Helping Kids organization, which established a committee to judge a record number of applications that they received for the 10 year anniversary of the
program.
“This program is very much geared towards recognizing activities done on a youngster’s own initiative,” Robert Eslick said. “We are recognizing kids who participate in activities for the benefit of their community of neighborhood, outside of school-related activities.”
Venditto said these young people will serve as great role models for the next generation of community-minded kids.
“There are many young individuals who have contributed to the great quality of life we enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay. We felt it was important to recognize our young residents who involve themselves in voluntary community, charity or civic activities on their own individual initiative,” said Venditto.
“This provides a perfect opportunity for them to be recognized for their outstanding achievements. They will surely stand as role models for their peers.”
