Politics & Government

Last Chance: 'Kids of Distinction' Nominations

The deadline for the scholarship program is May 16.

The Town of Oyster Bay is seeking nominations from the community for its “Kids of Distinction” Scholarship Program for 2014.

Co-sponsored by Supervisor John Venditto and Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. co-Founders Robert A.J. Eslick and Philip M. Eslick, the deadline to register for the program is May 16.

“The ‘Kids of Distinction’ Scholarship Program was initiated in an effort to recognize outstanding young people who have been active in exceptional endeavors within their community,” Venditto said, in a statement.

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“Ten outstanding Town of Oyster Bay youngsters will be honored for their commitment to their communities,” he added.

“The objective of the program is to recognize kids who acted on their own initiative to take part in beneficial activities for their neighbors or community,” Philip Eslick noted. 

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“Past winners have certainly fit the bill, many going above and beyond the call of duty to help others in their community,” he added.

The Kids of Distinction program focuses on activities participated in outside of school. A student who goes the extra mile in their endeavors outside of the classroom deserves recognition so that it may inspire other youngsters to emulate this behavior.

“Each year, we recognize a diverse group of students who really demonstrate caring and compassion to those around them,” Venditto said. 

“We are confident that this year’s group of winners will be equally compassionate and worthy of this honor and we know these academic scholarships will help these students fund their college education," Robert Eslick said. "In these tough economic times every dollar helps.”

This year the number of honorees has been increased to ten students in honor of the program’s 10th anniversary. Nominees will be placed in two categories, those currently in fifth through eighth grades and those in grades nine through 12. Five winners will be selected in each category by a committee organized by Kids Helping Kids.

“There are so many wonderful young people living in the Town of Oyster Bay who not only demonstrate academic or extracurricular skills, but also do a little something extra to help make the world a better place,” Venditto said. “We feel it is important to recognize our young residents who involve themselves in voluntary community, charity or civic activities on their own individual initiative.”

Anyone who wishes to nominate a student, or should a student want to self-nominate they  should fill out a nomination form and submit it to Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc., prior to the May 16, 2014 deadline. Nominating forms can be obtained at Town Halls North (Oyster Bay) and South (Massapequa), as well as at local libraries. Nominating forms can also be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.

Winners will then be recognized at an upcoming special ceremony held by the Oyster Bay Town Board at Oyster Bay Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue in Oyster Bay on Tuesday, June 17, at 7 p.m.

Recipients will be presented with a citation from the Town of Oyster Bay together with a $2,000 scholarship from Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way Inc. courtesy of sponsors: Empire Bakery Equipment-owner Claude Zarate, and NY Auto Giant Chief Operating Officer John Pickett. Winners will also receiv a Kids Helping Kids commemorative plaque.

The ceremony will also include the inspiring young scholar-athlete from William Floyd High School, Senior Kwasi Enin, who made national-international news by being accepted to all eight Ivy League Universities.

For more information, call Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way Inc. at 516-249-9449 or e-mail Kids Helping Kids at HappyKidsClub@aol.com. Prospective applicants can view the video presentation of the 2011 ‘Kids of Distinction’ ceremony.


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