Honor Youth Award Winner

Senate Resolution No. 2353 BY: Senator JACOBS HONORING Keaonte Townsend upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the 2017 Youth of the Year Award by the Boys & Girls Club of the Northtowns WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay tribute to those young people within the great Empire State who have made strong contributions to their communities and who serve as role models for their peers; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Keaonte Townsend upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Youth of the Year Award by the Boys & Girls Club of the Northtowns; and WHEREAS, The Boys & Girls Club's highest honor, the Youth of the Year Award, recognizes outstanding contributions to a club member's family, school, and overall community, as well as their perseverance in overcoming personal challenges and obstacles; these honorees are shining examples and living proof that great futures start at Boys & Girls Clubs; and WHEREAS, Since September of 2015, Keaonte Townsend has been a member of the Riverside Teen Center; in this capacity, he participates in numerous community service projects, fundraisers, and special events to educate the members and raise awareness for other issues surrounding the neighborhood; and WHEREAS, Dedicated to his community, Keaonte Townsend works with local youth in Diplomas 2 Degrees, a college preparatory program; currently, he and his peers are organizing a college road trip for high school juniors and seniors to expose them to the college culture as he has been through his attendance at Middle Early College High School; and WHEREAS, A senior at Middle Early College, Keaonte Townsend commutes to Erie Community College for college level courses; he is dedicated to maintaining his grades and ensuring his future success by staying on top of his academics; and WHEREAS, An ambitious and hard-working scholar, Keaonte Townsend plans to attend Erie Community College to study Criminal Justice and be a positive and strong force in the community as well as a role model for the local youth; and WHEREAS, Through his active involvement in the community and his sincere dedication to others, Keaonte Townsend has become an exceptional role model for others; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the youth of today, and leaders of tomorrow, whose character and achievements best exemplify the ideals and values cherished by this great State and Nation; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Keaonte Townsend upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Youth of the Year Award by the Boys & Girls Club of the Northtowns; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Keaonte Townsend.