2012 Theodore Kuykendall Community Service Awards
District honors four students for community service and good citizenship

Kuykendall Award winners are pictured with Superintendent John Xanthis, guest speaker Frank Bell and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction John Bell.

POSTED: MAY 23, 2012
The Port Jervis School District honored four exceptional students
for their community service and good citizenship May 15.

Sophia DiGiantommaso, Keegan Salas, Theresa Zingaro, and Nicholas Shields received the school district’s most prestigious award – the Theodore Kuykendall Community Service Award – in a special ceremony at Port Jervis High School.

During the ceremony, the award recipients were recognized individually by their building principal, who presented each of them with an engraved plaque. Each student also received a $100 savings bond, along with a Port Pride duffle bag and t-shirt.

The prestigious award was created in 1987 by the late Theodore Kuykendall, who served as a Port Jervis councilman and school board member, to honor students who excel in academics and demonstrate good citizenship by participating in community service, volunteerism, and extra-curricular activities. The Kuykendall Award is presented annually to one sixth grade student from each elementary school, a middle school eighth grader, and a high school senior.

During the ceremony, guest speaker Frank Bell commended the award recipients for their service to the community. The Port Jervis City Councilman stressed the importance of volunteerism. An avid volunteer and community servant, Bell has been involved as a coach and president of Port Jervis Little League for five decades. He has also served as a member of the Port Jervis Fire Department for 50 years and the Port Jervis Little League for 30 years.

“There are more than 100 clubs and organizations in this community that need volunteer support,” said Bell. Acknowledging that it is often difficult for people to volunteer in today’s economy, he said, “It’s important to find something that you enjoy. For me, it was working with kids.”

Congratulations to the following award winners:
Senior Nicholas Shields received the Port Jervis High School award. A hard worker, Nick has challenged himself academically, athletically, and civically. The student leader serves as president of the National Honor Society, senior class parliamentarian and Varsity Club secretary. This year, the well-rounded student-athlete, who played football at the varsity level for three years, served as one of the team captains. He qualified for two top football awards: The prestigious Salmon Lineman Award in 2010 and the Steve Faller Memorial Award in 2011. Nick also participated in varsity golf and track, and junior varsity baseball.

In addition to serving as a youth member on the Port Jervis Recreation Commission, Nick volunteered more than 50 hours at his church, helped the Varsity Club raise money for the Red Cross, and worked with students at Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School weekly through the Raider Reading Program.

Nick has also served his community for the last six year as a member of Boy Scouts of America. This year, Nick earned the organization’s highest honor – the Eagle Scout award – for refurbishing bicycles collected by the Port Jervis Police Department and presenting them, along with food baskets, to 14 children and their families this past Christmas.

This fall, Nick will be attending Virginia Tech University, where he will continue to serve his country through the U.S. Air Force ROTC Program.

Eighth grader Theresa Zingaro received the Port Jervis Middle School award.
A high honor roll student, Theresa demonstrates a strong commitment to his school and community. In addition to excelling in advanced placement classes, Theresa is a member of the modified girl’s basketball and softball teams.

Outside of school, Theresa enjoys working with younger children and children with disabilities. She does this by volunteering at Inspire in Goshen and Beautiful People, an organization that helps children with disabilities play sports. In Port Jervis, she also volunteers with Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the library during the summer.

Sixth grader Sophia DiGiantommaso received the Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School award.
Sophia epitomizes the qualities the Kuykendall Award is meant to recognize – strong academics, participation in extra-curricular activities and community service. In school, Sophia serves on the Sixth Grade Student Council. She also participates in drama and chorus. The aspiring actress has had featured role the past two years in ASK Elementary School’s drama productions. Last year, she played the role of Molly in Annie, Jr. Last month, she played Sharpay in High School Musical, Jr.

Sophia gives back to the community by helping neighbors, visiting a nursing home and taking care of animals at the Humane Society.

Sixth grader Keegan Salas received the Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School award. She was selected to receive the award based on her impressive volunteer work and outstanding academic record.

A Junior Soldier with the Salvation Army Church, Keegan volunteer countless hours in the community. During the summer, she helps with vacation Bible School. At Christmas time, she serves refreshments at the firehouse during the community Christmas parade and raises money for the needy by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army at WalMart.

When Hurricane Irene hit this area last year, Keegan volunteered for four days at the Red Cross shelter set up at Port Jervis High School. She assisted the Red Cross by serving food, while her mother cooked in the kitchen. She has also helped the Salvation Army with fundraisers for the needy, and has collected and distributed toys.