Outstanding youth and adults who work on their behalf are recognized
Photo by Tom Rivers: The Orleans County Youth Board on Thursday honored the following, from left: Doug Egling, Cody Crane, Emily Bibby, Jessica Sedore, Alexis Penna, Hannah Duhow, Carrie Janas, Kaitlin Zwifka, Michela Hanlon, Jeremy Browe, Reese Raduns and Sal DeLuca. Missing from photo include Emma Lonnen, Riley Seielstad and Salvador Solis.
Doug Egling
Two adults were also honored for their service to children.
Doug Egling received the Helen R. Brinsmaid Professional Award, which is given to a paid professional who works with youth.
Egling is a caseworker for the Orleans County Department of Social Services. He is assigned to Albion middle and high schools. He supervises some children who are classified as PINS (Persons in Need of Supervision), and also does preventive and foster care cases.
Egling is musically talented and has found instruments for children to play, and will take them to concerts. He goes above and beyond to connect with children, said Carrie O’Neill, coordinator of the PINS program or juvenile adjustment services for Orleans County’s probation department.
“Doug is truly a genuine person who has a heart of gold and would truly do anything for anyone in need,” O’Neill said.
Egling has worked for the county the past 10 years, with six years as a caseworker assistant and the past four years as a caseworker. Prior to that he worked 16 years for The Arc of Orleans County.
Egling said he is part of team of caseworkers and other professionals who determined to find solutions for kids who are often in crisis.
“I like being a member of that team,” Egling said. “The caseworkers and CPS workers are my heroes.”
Egling urged the community to be more open to reaching out to young people, especially those whose families have broken down.
“It’s neighbor to neighbor,” he said.
Emily Bibby of Holley was recognized as a behind-the-scenes leader. She is active in the Interact Club and has coordinated several projects for the service organization. Jocelyn Sikorski, director of the Youth Bureau, is at left.
Sal DeLuca of Holley received the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Award for his 30 years of volunteer service to Holley youth. DeLuca has been a long-time soccer, baseball and track coach.
Sal DeLuca
He is currently president of the Holley Sports Boosters Club. He spends many hours at the Woodlands field concession stand, working the grill and refilling the cooler with water, Gatorade and soda.
Penny Cole of Holley nominated DeLuca for the award. She said she pays for many meals for students who show up to the stand hungry.
He also mows the grass at the Woodlands Soccer Complex and fixes many things that need maintenance.
DeLuca served on the Holley Board of Education for six years and was influential in the recent capital projects on the campus.
“Sal truly cares about every student in the Holley community and does his best to make sure they have the best education and are the most well-rounded students out there,” Cole said.
DeLuca said he enjoys seeing students happy.
“It’s the smile,” he said. “That’s the bottom line. I just like to do it.”
Jessica Sedore of Holley is a positive presence in the school. She is a role model for her classmates, and pushes others to try their best.
The following young people were recognized for their outstanding service in the community and/or family: Emily Bibby, Jeremy Browe, Cody Crane, Hannah Duhow, Christian Hahn, Michela Hanlon, Carrie Janas, Emma Lonnen, Alexis Penna, Reese Raduns, Jessica Sedore, Riley Seielstad, Salvador Solis and Kaitlin Zwifka.
The students serve in different ways, from volunteering in a Pre-K classroom to serving as an athlete buddy in the Empire State Games for the Physically Challenged. They have all been selfless in serving others.
Cody Crane of Medina accepts a “Youth Recognition Award.” He planned, organized and was a presenter at a public forum on Jan. 30 about the stigma of opioid addiction.
Dr. Daniel Doctor, Medina Central School’s director of community outreach, served as keynote speaker. He urged the youth to continue serving others. He said they need to use their talents to better the world.
“The young people sitting here tonight have done something with their talents,” Doctor said. “Share it and don’t bury it. Because if it’s under something, the world can’t see your talents.”
Dr. Dan Doctor, director of community outreach for Medina Central School, was keynote speaker at the banquet.
