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Sixteen students were honored at the 2018 Youth Recognition Awards banquet at Terry Hills on Thursday night.<\/p>\n
The awards were presented\u00a0 to youth who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their communities or families.<\/p>\n
Recipients are Evan Amberger, Camryn Arthur, Madalynn Augello, Ryan Bowen, Lydia Daley, Summer Jeschke-Dean, Sheron Perez-Fuentes, Connlan Hotnich, Camden King, Nathan Knickerbocker, Jillian Menzie, Julia Menzie, Justina Pruski, Isabella Riner, Benjamin Slenker and Eric Stroud.<\/p>\n
ADULT YOUTH WORKER OF THE YEAR\/Arron Brown<\/p>\n
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This award is presented to a youth-serving paid professional whose work exceeds expectations.<\/p>\n
Arron Brown is a 4th grade teacher at Pembroke Intermediate School. As a teacher Arron goes above and beyond for his students and families. During his 12 years at the school he has served as SADD Club Advisor helping students make positive decisions and help in guiding them and their families. This past December he took on the additional role of Student Council Advisor and has helped plan numerous events at the school. He is instrumental in the planning of Pembroke’s Annual “Shooting for a Cure” Pink game, an event that helps support Roswell Park. Arron has also organized multiple food drives to benefit the Buffalo City Mission, and the Corfu United Presbyterian Church. He also has reached out to Buffalo Bills players to come out and talk to students about dedication, hard work and perseverance. The players in return have sponsored reading contests to motivate students.<\/p>\n
ADULT VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR\/Stan Kaus\/ Laura Luft<\/p>\n
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This award is presented to a youth serving volunteer whose work exceeds expectations.<\/p>\n
Stan Kaus became involved with coaching girls fast pitch softball when his daughters were eligible to play. He coached the former Tonawanda Valley Fast Pitch Softball League until his daughters aged out, he then decided to be an umpire.<\/p>\n
It was during his time as an umpire that Stan realized what was happening to the girls softball program and he grew discouraged. So he decided to do something about it and formed an independent girls 12 and under fast pitch softball team called the Batavia Stingers.<\/p>\n
In the new league, Stan made sure the team had real uniforms and a coach that provided a consistent, structured practice schedule while teaching them the fundamentals of the game.<\/p>\n
Stan is really great at relating to situations that occur on the field and turning them into valuable lessons for the girls. He takes a loss as an opportunity to explain to the girls why it is so important to never give up.<\/p>\n
When Stan heard the other league in Batavia disbanded, he was instantly on the phone with parents who wanted their daughters to play for the Stingers. He then organized a meeting to discuss what was needed to expand the league and how it was critical to forming a non profit called the Batavia Girls Fast Pitch Softball, which now has a 7 person board, and successfully fielded a 10 year old team, two 12 year old teams and a 15 year old team.<\/p>\n
Stan is considered to be the founder of the league and if it was not for him there would not be girls fast pitch softball in Batavia.<\/p>\n
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Laura Luft is described as passionate, engaged, involved, selfless, caring. a leader, organized and focused.\u00a0 Laura devotes countless hours to making sure the lives of the young people in Elba and Genesee County are better.<\/p>\n
Luft is a Helping Hands Community liaison, she serves in a leadership role for the organization at Elba Central School. The organization collects donations and volunteers to support families in need.<\/p>\n
Luft also serves on the Elba Hall of Fame Committee in which she fundraises and an hosts annual dinner to honor past Elba Central\u00a0 School graduates as well as setting up scholarships for future graduates.<\/p>\n
Another way Luft volunteers is through the Elba Volunteer Fire Department. She plans and organizes fundraisers for the department. She is also involved in the Elba Onion Queen pageant which supplies scholarship opportunities to local girls.<\/p>\n
Luft is also involved with the Elba Betterment Committee and helps organize the Kiddie Parade and the annual Pig Roast.<\/p>\n
Laura recently helped organize a mail campaign for her next door neighbor who lost he battle with leukemia.<\/p>\n
Laura does not ask for recognition and she is a great role model for her daughter and her good deeds do not go unnoticed.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sixteen students were honored at the 2018 Youth Recognition Awards banquet at Terry Hills on Thursday night. The awards were presented\u00a0 to youth who have demonstrated outstanding contributions to their communities or families. Recipients are Evan Amberger, Camryn Arthur, Madalynn Augello, Ryan Bowen, Lydia Daley, Summer Jeschke-Dean, Sheron Perez-Fuentes, Connlan \u2026<\/p>\n