2009 Theodore Kuykendall Community Service Awards
District honors four students for community service and good citizenship

This year's Kuykendall Award winners Matthew Parlier, Joy Weingartner, Kelsey Farr, and Jillian Cordisco .

President Barack Obama signed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act April 21, providing a bold expansion of opportunities for all Americans to serve their communities and country. At the signing, President Obama encouraged American citizens – particularly young Americans - to “serve your community and your country in whatever way you can.”

One week later - on April 30 - the Port Jervis School District recognized four students who are already “standing up and doing their part” to make their community a better place. Matthew Parlier, Joy Weingartner, Kelsey Farr, and Jillian Cordisco received the district’s most prestigious award - the Theodore Kuykendall Community Service Award. They were selected for the award by their building principal and teachers for demonstrating a strong commitment to their community through volunteerism and good citizenship.

During the ceremony, the award recipients were recognized individually by their building principal, who presented them with a $200 U.S. savings bond and an engraved plaque.

The prestigious award was established 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 Port Jervis Mayor Gary Lopriore thanked the award winners for their service to the community. “Your efforts help to make this community a better place to live,” said Lopriore, commending the four students for being excellent role models.

Congratulations to the following award winners:
Senior Matthew Parlier received the Port Jervis High School award.
An Eagle Scout, Matt epitomizes the spirit of the Kuykendall Award. In addition to excelling academically both at Port Jervis High School and the CTEC New Vision Program for Education (BOCES), Matt is an exceptional athlete who donates countless hours every year to numerous school, church, community, and scouting programs.

At Port Jervis High School, Matt is a member of the National Honor Society, Peer Mediators, the Varsity Club, the Varsity Football team (past captain), and Varsity Wrestling team (captain). The recipient of the 2009 New York State Wrestling Sportsmanship Award, Parlier placed second at this year's 2009 State Wrestling Championship, and first at the Section IX Wrestling Championships.

Outside of school, Matt serves as a mentor to area youths, volunteering his time to assist the coaching staff at the Tri-State Wrestling Club, and serving as a junior assistant scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts. Additionally, he has volunteered at the Grace Church Food Pantry, the Soap Box Derby, St. Paul's Church winter clothing drives and pancake breakfasts, and numerous Boy Scout camps.   

In recognition of his service, Matt was awarded numerous honors to include the American Legion Good Citizenship Citation, the Knights of Columbus Certificate of Recognition, the Orange County Honor Scroll for Outstanding Citizenship and Distinguished Service Award, the City of Port Jervis Certificate of Achievement, the State of New York Certificate of Achievement, and the NY State Assembly Citation of Achievement.

Eighth grader Joy Weingartner received the Middle School award. Joy is an excellent student, who has demonstrated a strong commitment to her community. In addition to making the high honor roll throughout middle school, Joy is a student officer, peer leader, a member of the French Club, modified soccer and track teams.

Outside of her involvement in school, Joy is committed to her church youth group and volunteers regularly at the local food pantry. Her involvement includes raking leaves for senior citizens, visiting senior citizens at Bon Secours Hospital and brightening their spirits with birthday celebrations. Additionally, Joy travels with her youth group to New York City to help the volunteers of World Vision sort and distribute items to the needy. Most recently, Joy and other members of her youth group raise $4,800 for orphaned and impoverished children in India. 

Sixth grader Jillian Cordisco received the Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School award. At her young age, Jillian already understands the spirit of volunteerism, donating hair on two separate occassion to Locks of Love to make wigs for cancer patients.

At ASK, Jillian organized a food drive, tutored kindergarten students, and assisted with the spring drama by painting sets, making candy, and modeling costumes. This year, she played the reporter in the school's production of Willie Wonka, Jr.

Through her association with her church, Girl Scouts, the Port Jervis Little League and Pop Warner Football, Jillian participates in many community service projects. Along with the other girls in her Girl Scout troop, who are earning the Bronze Award, Jillian is making environmentally-friendly outdoor games for the YMCA in Huguenot. She's also planted maple trees at the YMCA, helped run this year's Girl Scout Thinking Day, participated in the annual Tri-State Holiday Parade, and sold 120 boxes of Girl Scout cookies for U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq. In addition to selling the cookies, she packed them and shipped them to injured soldiers. She's also participated in Pop Warner fundraisers and helped prepare the fields for Little League, raking leaves, cleaning dugouts, and dragging dirt.

Sixth grader Kelsey Farr was the winner of the Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School award. Kelsey enjoys school and the Gifted and Talented program. She is an active participant in the Port Jervis Soap Box Derby, youth soccer, and has cheered for the Pop Warner Packer's since the age of 5.

Kelsey has always loved to help people, regardless of their age or hers. During the summer, she volunteers her time in the Port Jervis Summer School, working with students in grades K- 2. Throughout the school year, Kelsey spends her off days and half-days volunteering at Snipes & Snails Preschool.

She also spends a considerable amount of time helping to improve the quality of life for area senior citizens. In her neighborhood, she helps an elderly neighbor with yard work and household chores, and makes time to visit another senior. Additionally, Kelsey volunteers at a senior complex, playing games and spending quality time with the residents.

Kuykendall Award winners pose with award ceremony participants (from left) Assistant Superintendent for Instruction John Bell, School Board Vice President Cathy Sadaghiani, High School Principal Thomas Bongiovi, Superintendent John Xanthis, Mayor Gary Lopriore, ASK Principal John Solimando, Middle School Principal Cynthia Benedict, and HBE Principal Sharon Dickstein. Missing from the photograph is School Board President Michael Bell.

View Cable Ch. 6 coverage of Kuykendall Award ceremony.