Five extraordinary teens in Community Board 11 were acknowledged for their dedication and service to the community with the 2009 New York Yankee Youth Leadership Awards and $ 500 scholarship.
CB11 selected Stefanie Hayes, Alex Pizarro, Christopher Borgatti, David Giancaspro, and Sarah Kilicharin, to receive their awards on Thursday, February 26.
“We were looking for a young person involved with the community who is making a difference,” said district manager of CB11, John Fratta.
For the past five years, Hayes has been a member of the Spotlight Theater, helping to spread the arts in the Bronx, and assisting younger cast members looking to join the group.
Graduating from Villa Maria Academy in the Nation Honors Society, Borgatti has helped tutor those younger than him, participate in the recycling program at Villa, and volunteere to help during Masses for the disabled. He returns to his former school each summer to volunteer as a junior counselor for the summer camp. Borgatti carries his leadership skills with him to Fordham Preparatory School, as a homeroom Class Representative.
“I used to tutor this 5th grader in math and I helped to get his average up and he was so thankful,” said Borgatti. “I love giving back to every person and I find community service to be great.”
Commanding Officer and Lieutenant of the 49th Precinct explorers, Pizarro helps to lead the over 60 members. Completing over 2,000 hours community service, he has organized food drives, handed out toys to children in need, caroled for senior citizens and participated in clothing drives.
Working through the obstacles and challenges of having Asperger’s Syndrome, Giancaspro in an active member of the Boy Scouts of America, and Troop 162’s bugler. He has participated in food drives and volunteered at soup kitchens to help those less fortunate. His talent for math has enabled him to tutor other youths with special needs.
“It’s amazing to us how much he has been able to accomplish and how many difficulties he has overcome,” said Jeanette Giancaspro, mother of David Giancaspro. “We think the Scouts have played an important role in that, and it’s great that the Yankees recognize all these kids who do so much for the community.”
Kilicharin is a junior volunteer for a community reading program, using her talents to organize fieldtrips, activities, guest speakers, and arts and crafts programs for children of the neighborhood.
CB11 will also be awarding a $ 500 scholarship, courtesy of the new McDonalds at 1820 Eastchester Road, to an outstanding child in need of assistance with school funding.
