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YWCA hosts Young Women awards banquet
By Sean Barron
BOARDMAN
If you ask Christina Leone what she thinks is her biggest high-school accomplishment, don’t expect her to respond with something tangible such as a high test grade, an athletic achievement or a memorable experience on a field trip or with friends.
Instead, she likely will mention what arguably is for many people one of life’s most-challenging lessons.
“I’m proud of being a leader and for staying true to myself,” the Ursuline High School senior said. “I want to elevate the power of youth.”
It’s safe to say that Leone recently felt emotionally elevated because she was one of 30 high-school seniors from Mahoning and Trumbull counties who were honored during Saturday’s 22nd annual Young Women with Bright Futures awards banquet at the Holiday Inn on South Avenue.
Hosting the program was the YWCA of Youngstown.
An estimated 210 family members, school administrators, teachers and others attended the two-hour gathering. The 30 students’ teachers and administrators had selected them for their academic excellence, leadership abilities, creativity, community work and volunteerism.
Leone, who plans to go to Kent State University possibly to study early-childhood education, said she was grateful for her award and for what she learned in leadership seminars she had attended.
“I was surprised when a friend called me. I was sick and learned I was nominated by my principal [David Vega],” said Samantha Metts of Jackson-Milton High School.
Metts also hopes to study early-childhood education, though her college choice is undecided, she said.
The bubbly senior listed as her proudest school accomplishments being part of her school’s Key Club and student council. She also mentioned looking forward to participating in Jackson-Milton’s upcoming spring-fling event, a fundraiser in which students and teachers compete against one another in volleyball to raise money for a charitable organization.
“It’s fun to be a helping hand towards other people who need something,” Metts added.
Nicole Double, who attends Valley Christian School in Youngstown, said the award she took home Saturday was one of her two proudest school accomplishments. The other was having been recognized for consistently setting a positive example while part of her soccer team.
“It’s nice to see that my community and school think I’m even eligible for this award,” said Double, adding that she intends to enroll at KSU to study radiology and become an X-ray technician.
The banquet’s keynote speaker was state Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes D-Akron, who urged the students to use their education wisely, challenge the status quo and realize they can achieve whatever they put their minds to.
“When I was growing up, my parents told me I could be whatever I wanted to be,” she recalled.
Strong Sykes cautioned that even a solid education is not always a buffer against racism, sexism and other barriers. Nevertheless, a good education is a powerful tool to more effectively stand up for oneself and others, she continued.
Strong Sykes also encouraged the seniors to seek out and thank positive role models and supporters. She then cited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who said that everyone has the power for greatness based not on fame, but on how they serve others.
Also during the program, college scholarships went to Courtney Conklin of Lowellville K-12 School and Allyson Crays of Warren G. Harding High. Conklin and Crays were awarded $8,000 and $12,000, respectively.
Chantel Bahn of Victory Christian School in Niles was the winner of an essay contest based on the YWCA’s mission to eliminate racism, build leaders and empower women.
“We want to empower them to be our future community leaders,” said Varada Bhide, the Y’s development director, who noted that Saturday’s program also was part of the organization’s empowerment initiative.
Making additional remarks were Cryshanna A. Jackson, a YWCA board member and event chairwoman; Deborah S. Liptak, the Y’s board chairwoman; Barbara Ade, event committee member; and Fran Curd, a board member who delivered the invocation.