2010 Theodore Kuykendall Community Service Awards
District honors four students for community service and good citizenship

Congratulations to this year's Kuykendall Award winners.

The Port Jervis School District honored four exceptional students for their community service and good citizenship April 9.

Justin Ward, Ryan Keane, Conner Decker, and Madison Retallick received the school district’s most prestigious award – the Theodore Kuykendall Community Service Award – in a special ceremony at Port Jervis Middle School.

During the ceremony, the award recipients were recognized individually by their building principal, who presented each of them with an impressive clear acrylic etched “Star” award. Each student will also receive a $100 U.S. savings bond.

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 Soull Pringle applauded the award recipients for their selfless service to the community. A professional disc jockey and avid community volunteer, Pringle knows many of the students from his involvement in Pop Warner football and numerous community programs such as this year’s Day of Service, which he helped orchestrate for the Middle School. Encouraging the Kuykendall Award winners to continue their community service, Pringle said acts of kindness such as volunteering to read to young children or helping senior citizens benefits everyone who’s involved. “When you take the time to help others, your actions make someone happy,” he explained. “And, ultimately the positive energy will come back to you – and your good works will make you happy.”

This year's Kuykendall Award ceremony also included a special video tribute to the award recipients and a performance by the Middle School Voices chorus. Under the direction of Middle School choral director Ruthann Gordan, the group sang "Somewhere Out There."


Congratulations to this year's award winners:

Senior Justin Ward received the Port Jervis High School award. A polite, hard-working and conscientious student, Justin leads by example. Active in student government, Justin is the senior class social chairperson and a member of the National Honor Society. The well-rounded student-athlete has played football at the varsity level for four years. He’s also participated in varsity baseball and junior varsity basketball. This year, he is one of a select group of high school students who were selected to participate in the Senior BOCES Enrichment Program.

Outside of school, Justin serves as a tutor at the Youth Center, mows lawns for elderly neighbors, and volunteers annually at two major community events – the Soap Box Derby and the Port Jervis Band Concert in the Park. Justin, who aspires to become a veterinarian, also volunteers weekly as a clinic assistant at Tri-State Veterinary Clinic, and servers an assistant Bible School teacher, alter server, and choir member at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. He also holds a part-time job.

Eighth grader Ryan Keane received the Port Jervis Middle School award. A high honor roll student, Ryan demonstrates a strong commitment to his school and community. In addition to being a peer mediator, Ryan is actively involved in the Middle School chorus, musical theater, yearbook, art club, video club, and the modified cross country and track and field teams. He is also one of the state champions on the Odyssey of the Mind team that will represent the district May 26-29 at the World Finals at Michigan State University.

In the community, Ryan has volunteered his time to clean parks and raise money for the Humane Society and the Salvation Army. He also participates in Boy Scouts, the Dog Club, the Soap Box Derby and the Delaware River Run, and SMART (St. Mary’s Actively Religious Teens.

Sixth grader Conner Decker received the Anna S. Kuhl Elementary School award. A bright student, Conner is dedicated to serving his community by keeping it clean and helping those who are in need. His future aspiration is to continue to help others through the field of medicine.

Conner is active in school and in the community. A versatile athlete, he plays Pop Warner football, recreational basketball, and baseball. He is also long-term participate in Soap Box Derby.

A high honor roll student, Conner is a member of the school band, chorus, and drama club. The past two years, he has had a major role in the school plays. Last year, Conner played the candy man in Willy Wonka, Jr. This year, he’s starring as Herald Hill in the Music Man, Jr.

Conner gives back to the community by participating in canned food drives and area clean-ups, and helping to educate others about the health risks associated with drinking and. He also assists at his younger brother’s baseball practices and at his church. In the winter, he shovels his grandfather’s driveway.

Sixth grader Madison Retallick received the Hamilton Bicentennial Elementary School award. She was selected in recognition of her commitment to the community and her desire to make a difference in people’s lives.

An avid reader, Madison enjoys writing poetry and is currently working on writing a book called Justice. Her goal is to work with children with special needs and/or become a lawyer.

Outside of school, Madison spends a considerable amount of time trying to improve the quality of life for senior citizens. As a member of the Junior Catholic Daughters, she visits senior centers. During the holidays, the youth group took time to sing carols and make placements for the residents. She also helps an elderly neighbor, who is unable to drive, by bringing groceries to her home.

In the summer, Madison volunteers at Vacation Bible School where she assists children with craft projects and teaches them songs. She also helps to raise money for the needy by selling items for fundraisers and helps improve the environment by cleaning up trash on local roads.

Kuykendall Award winners pose with award ceremony participants (from left) guest speaker Soull Pringle, ASK Principal John Solimando, Middle School Principal Cynthia Benedict, Superintendent John Xanthis, School Board member William Smith, High School Principal Thomas Bongiovi, HBE Principal Linda Korycki, and Assistant Superintendent for Instruction John Bell. School Board Vice President Cathy Sadaghiani and Assistant Superintendent for Business Lorelei Case are missing from the photo.