Area Youth Recognized for Achievements in Academics and Service

The following awards granted to Amherst area youth are listed below: Amherst Pelham Education Association Scholarships, Town of Amherst Youth Heroism Awards, Black Business Association of Amherst Area Black Youth Excellence Award and Amherst Regional High School Senior Scholarships and Academic Achievement Awards.

Three ARHS Grads Receive APEA College Scholarships
The Amherst Pelham Education Association (APEA) has announced the recipients of the 2024 APEA College Scholarships. The scholarships were established by the educators and clerical staff of the Amherst-Pelham schools to honor the achievements and aspirations of three Amherst Regional High School seniors who have demonstrated their abilities to use their leadership qualities to make a positive influence on society. 

The graduating seniors receiving the awards are: Brenden Camphor, Ashley Rodriguez Duran, and Jocelyn Vargas.

According to the APEA, this year’s winners honed their leadership skills by participating in Amherst Regional High School clubs like People of Color United. The APEA said the awardees articulated how they plan to give back to their community, such as through careers of nursing, social work, and immigration law. Each winner will receive a $1,000 check made out to the school they are attending. 

Town of Amherst Youth Heroism Awards
The Town of Amherst recognized 40 young people as the community’s Youth Heroes in its 18^th annual Youth Hero awards ceremony at Mill River Recreation area on June 9.  The event was part of an afternoon of community activities that included a celebration of Race Amity Day, the Youth Hero awards ceremony, a picnic, and a basketball tournament. The event was sponsored by the Amherst Human Rights Commission (HRC).  Those honored were nominated by members of the Amherst community in an open call for nominations that ended on May 17. Residents were asked to nominate individuals or groups that have shown “a special gift from the heart or an ability to love and care for one another,” consistent with the HRC’s mission to “promote a community of mutual respect and to honor the diversity of our community.”

Honored this year were: 
Groups:
Amherst Regional High School Mental Health Awareness Group
Sanaa Johnson
Ruthienny Varela Vaz

Amherst Regional High School People Against Sexual Harassment
Josephine Becker
Olivia Damian
Genevieve Dole
Anna Everett
Alice Hall
Neena Khurana

Amherst Regional Middle School People Opposed to Sexual Harassment
Luna Paradis
Maggie Reilly-Hogan
Julia Sitze
Elin Taylor

Amherst Sunrise Movement
Vanessa Cazho-Garcia
Deleney Chang
Sylvia Coco-Romano
Lilli DeGrande
Levi Gibson
Lila Gilman-Hollabaugh
Elyse Hawkins
Galen Hawkowl
Mel Hidalgo
Julian Hynes
Langston Johnson
Sophie Lindsey
Violet Nolan
Jesse Olson
Marisol Pierce Bonifaz
Saara Rathod
Haydn Reilly-Hogan
Amrita Rutter
Seneca Smith
Jesse Warren

Cambodians in Amherst Exhibit Curator
Moniha Krouch
Pavan Seiha

Individuals
Marcleo Aquino – youth mentor and basketball star
John Babagario – pillar of the Wildwood School Community
Miguel Piñero Jacome Amherst – Regional High School Peer Support
Coumba Potter-Ndiaye – youth activist, art club
“Geo” Arydel Santiago – kindness advocate

Black Youth Excellence Award 
The Black Business Association of Amherst Area (BBAAA) awarded its first annual Black Youth Excellence Award to Darius Cage in recognition of his service to the Amherst community and his social justice activism.  His citation from the BAAA was as follows:
In 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, some Amherst residents advocated for police reform in our town. Darius was only 14 years old in 2020 and the youngest member of the town’s Community Safety Working Group (CSWG), a committee created to make recommendations to the Town Manager and Town Council regarding public safety and police reform. As an African American youth, Darius brought unique perspectives and ideas during CSWG meetings. Darius served admirably and with humility. He collaborated with the other members of the CSWG and was respectful to his elders. Darius provided insights about a proposed Youth Empowerment Center based on the interviews he conducted with his peers. Additionally, Darius strongly supported all the CSWG recommendations including the creation of the Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service  department. Darius has helped to make Amherst a better community for all residents by volunteering his time to serve on the CSWG. 

Amherst Regional High School Senior Awards
Amherst regional high school last week announced 365 scholarships and academic recognitions granted to graduating seniors.  A description of the scholarships awarded can be found here.