This month, we proudly hosted our annual Teen Celebration at the Summit YMCA. It was an evening dedicated to recognizing the hard work, growth, and achievements of the incredible teens in our programs. From leadership awards to heartfelt reflections, the night was filled with energy, gratitude, and community spirit. It was a meaningful reminder of the impact our teens make and the bright future they’re building.
Take a look at the teens who were recognized for their remarkable accomplishments.
Achievers Scholarship Winners
Saniya Gargonnu – H. Leon Cross Achievers Scholarship
Graduating from Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights, NJ, Saniya will be attending Rutgers – New Brunswick this fall. She grew up in the Summit Area YMCA’s morning and aftercare programs, took swim lessons, and spent summers at Y camp. She’s been a committed member of the Achievers program throughout high school and has volunteered at countless YMCA events, clubs, and community initiatives. For Saniya, community service is about knowing that even the smallest actions can make a difference—and that you can make a difference.
Melissa Duran de Paula – Frederick J. Watts Achievers Scholarship
Melissa is graduating from the Academy for Allied Health Sciences and heading to Seton Hall University in the fall, where she’ll be part of their BS/MD program. She volunteers at her local hospital and serves on her town’s EMT squad. At the YMCA, Melissa has been an active Achievers participant since her sophomore year. She’s shown outstanding commitment through high attendance, helping at events like the Extra Special Prom and basketball tournament, and taking part in fundraising efforts like the phone-a-thon.
Jade Augustin – Dwight Giles Achievers Scholarship
Jade is graduating from Summit High School and will be attending Rutgers – New Brunswick this fall. When asked about the Achievers program, she described it as nothing short of enriching and valuable. It helped her explore potential career paths, understand the college process, and build lasting friendships. For Jade, the support and knowledge shared through Achievers is like no other, and she’s grateful to be part of a program that has had such a meaningful impact.
Ava Fernandez – Dwight Giles Achievers Scholarship
Ava, also graduating from Summit High School, will be attending Montclair State University in the fall. She’s been connected to YMCA programs since middle school. Ava says the Achievers program helped her realize her full potential and grow into a more open and understanding person. She’ll carry the lessons and support system from Achievers with her as she begins this next chapter.
Keziah Acedieu – Dwight Giles Achievers Scholarship
Graduating from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, Keziah is headed to Rutgers – New Brunswick in the fall. She plans to pursue law school and become a lawyer, with the ultimate goal of helping the Black community. Keziah is focused on long-term growth, learning from feedback, and surrounding herself with people who share her drive for success. She hopes to one day create an outreach program for Black youth who may be struggling to find their path—just like she once was.
Girls Night In
Iman Boyd was honored for her meaningful participation in the Girls Night In Mentorship Program. Her voice, vulnerability, and strength helped create a safe, empowering space for all!
Men of Tomorrow
Andy De La Luz was honored for his dedication and leadership in the Men of Tomorrow Mentorship Program. His integrity, character, and commitment to personal growth have made a powerful impact!
Teen Chef
Owen Lindsay was honored for his outstanding achievement in the Summit AREA YMCA Teen Chef Program. His creativity, dedication, and culinary skills set him apart and made a lasting impression
8th Grade Leaders
Julieanne Thomas & Varad Bhosale were honored for their outstanding participation and leadership in the 8th Grade Leaders Program. Their initiative, responsibility, and commitment to growth have made a lasting impact!
6th Grade Challenge
Brynn Goldstein was honored for successfully completing the 6th Grade Challenge Program. Her determination, teamwork, and willingness to step out of your comfort zone showed true strength!
Over 200 people attended the Summit Area YMCA’s Annual Celebration on Thursday, April 25, to pay tribute to the volunteers, members, staff, and donors who advance its mission every day. The organization bestowed the highest honor it grants any individual, the Shuart Reed Award, to Phyllis Sank for her commitment to the betterment of the community. Its Community Partnership Award went to the Summit Elks Lodge #1246, an organization that has been integral to the Extra Special Prom for youth with special needs that is held at the Berkeley Heights YMCA every year.
The evening was filled with video testimonials and speeches detailing the widespread impact the Summit Area YMCA has on the community through everything from food distribution to the direct scholarships it provides. Throughout the night, one message kept resurfacing; the Y’s service work would simply not be possible without the generous individuals who give of their time, talent, and treasure.
“We were so proud to recognize honorees that represent the best of our volunteers, donors, members, staff, and community partners,” said Summit Area YMCA President and CEO Paul Kieltyka. “At the Y, we strive to celebrate our service every day, but our Annual Celebration is truly a special evening that reminds us how lucky and privileged we are to be woven into the fabric of the community.”
A special surprise of the evening was when beloved comedian Adam Sank, whose talent helped shape the success of the Summit Area YMCA’s LOL Charity Auction, took to the stage to introduce his mother, Phyllis Sank. Through jokes about his mother’s long history of receiving community awards, Adam showcased just how much Phyllis has done for the Summit area community for more than 50 years.
During her acceptance of the Shuart Reed Award, Phyllis shared the incredible origins and evolution of the Summit Child Care Center, which is now The Learning Circle YMCA (TLC). As Board President of the Summit Child Care Center, Phyllis helped bring to life the vision of a “children’s crusade” to provide affordable and exceptional early childhood education to local families. Under Phyllis’s leadership, the community raised $600,000 to construct a warm, inviting facility at 95 Morris Avenue. Phyllis later played an instrumental role in the center’s merger with the Summit Area YMCA. As a powerful testimonial from two parents reminded attendees, the values of the original Summit Child Care Center live on today through the love, care, and educational excellence found at TLC.
A wide range of emotions were felt throughout the course of the evening, and the presentation of the Community Partnership Award to the Summit Elks Lodge #1246 encapsulated that perfectly. Tears of happiness filled the room as a video about the annual Extra Special Prom at the Berkeley Heights YMCA played. The footage displayed the utter joy emanating from the young adults with special needs who attend the prom—a milestone they might otherwise miss out on if not for the Elks’s partnership with the Y.
The Summit Elks’s Exalted Ruler Fred Honold quickly turned tears into laughs as he formed the Elks’s sign and demonstrated how easy it is to adjust that sign into a “Y.” Fred and his fellow Elks members then continued to illuminate the synergies between the two organizations in their commitment to serving the community and to enriching the lives of youth with special needs.
Another memorable moment of the night was the roar of applause that filled the room for Summit Area YMCA membership staff Milena Beita and Brittany Simon. Both were presented with the Frank Cavallo Memorial Award for being “unsung heroes” through their day in, day out dedication to the Y’s mission, their remarkable leadership, and the warm, inclusive atmosphere they create for Y members. Through the recent Summit YMCA renovation, COVID-19, and more, Milena’s and Brittany’s steady presence and willingness to always go above and beyond helped navigate their colleagues through times of great change.
In keeping with tradition, graduating high school students from the Y Achievers program, which provides free college and career preparation, enjoyed much-deserved recognition for their outstanding accomplishments in academics and community service. This year, Diane Saint-Louis was awarded the Y’s H. Leon Cross Scholarship, and Olivia Curtis received the Frederick J. Watts Scholarship. Amya Miles-Colbert, Ian Hopkins, Zoe Hopkins, Isabelle Jean, Vanessa Jackson, and Josh Jones, were awarded the long-standing Dwight Giles Achievers Scholarship.
