The Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading proudly presented awards to exemplary young volunteers at the 2024 awards ceremony held at the Goggleworks on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. This annual event celebrates the remarkable achievements and unwavering dedication ofBerks County youth who have significantly contributed to the community through their volunteer efforts.
The 100-in-One Award honors youth who have dedicated 100 hours or more of service to our community this past program year through YVCR. These students have shown exceptional leadership and empathy, proving that age is no barrier to making a significant impact. Their extensive volunteer hours have not only benefited the community but have also provided them with invaluable experiences and forged meaningful connections. The honored students are:
Mackenzie Bezner, Wilson West Middle School
Dana Gahuancela, Muhlenberg High School Senior
Norah Hoffert, Wilson High School Senior
Samantha Martinez, Wilson High School Senior
Addison McKittrick, Exeter High School Senior
Kemi Ojikutu, Wilson High School Senior
Cadence Perez, Muhlenberg High School Senior
David Ramirez-Garcia, 2024 Wilson High School Graduate
Sindura Sridhar, Wilson High School Senior
Athena Worley, Wilson High School Sophomore
Mia Worley, Wilson High School Senior
Each of these students has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to volunteerism, dedicating their time and energy to make our community a better place. Their efforts serve as an inspiration to their peers and underscore the impact that dedicated youth can have on society.
The Heart of YVCR Award is given to a student who consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to serving others, embodying the true spirit of volunteerism. This year, the award was presented to Katelyn Humbles, a 2024 graduate of Conrad Weiser High School. Katelyn’s dedication and genuine empathy have made a significant impact on countless lives, inspiring those around her and fostering a stronger, more connected community.
Upon receiving her award, Katelyn shared an inspiring message with all the youth in attendance: “Keep pushing for change. Your efforts, no matter how small they may seem, are important and can create a ripple effect that leads to significant impact. Each action you take, each voice you raise, and each step you make toward a better future contributes to a larger movement. Whether you’re advocating for mental health awareness, fighting for racial equality, protecting our environment, or addressing social injustices, your contributions are vital.”
The YVCR Youth of the Year Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exemplary leadership skills, advanced the mission of YVCR through volunteerism, and developed creative YVCR projects with the highest level of volunteer commitment. This year, the award was bestowed upon Wilson High School senior, Kemi Ojikutu. Kemi served an impressive 286 hours this past program year through YVCR, the highest number of hours by a single student.
Kemi’s dedication extends beyond hours logged; she has been a pivotal figure in the YVC Stand Together Against Racism (STAR) initiative. She co-leads a weekly STAR discussion club at her high school, aiming to educate others about racism. Additionally, Kemi holds the position of county-wide STAR Student Ambassador, actively supporting the formation of STAR clubs in other local high schools. Her impact transcends local boundaries as she established a collaborative relationship with an anti-racism student club at an international school in South Korea. This partnership led to several global youth-driven anti-racism projects this spring.
Reflecting on her journey, Kemi expressed her gratitude: “YVC gave me a path to start on, people to connect and work with, and now a platform to educate others and bring them together to use everyday tools like kindness, friendship, and understanding to address these issues in a way that is relevant in our time… Through YVC STAR, I was able to find my passion and use it to inspire and lead others to stand together and be the change we need to see in the world.”
In addition to the major awards, 42 students from 10 different Berks County schools received commendations from Rep. Mark Rozzi for volunteering 35 hours of service through YVCR to projects enhancing Berks County this program year. These students have demonstrated a commendable commitment to community service, contributing to various projects that have significantly benefited the local area.
The Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading extends its heartfelt congratulations to all the award recipients and commends their dedication to making a positive impact in the community. Their efforts exemplify the core values of YVCR and inspire others to get involved and make a difference.
Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading focuses on promoting a lifetime commitment to service among youth by offering volunteer projects for youth ages 11 to 18 on Saturdays, after school, during school, virtually, and during the summer. YVC of Reading, hosted by VOiCEup Berks, is one of over 30 affiliates of Youth Volunteer Corps, headquartered in Kansas City. Since 2016, YVC of Reading has engaged nearly 3,000 young people from diverse backgrounds in over 44,000 hours of service to help this community. Find more information atwww.voiceupberks.org/yvc or email info@voiceupberks.org. VOiCEup Berks is a fund of Berks County Community Foundation.
