Youth Board recognizes 2 adults for dedication to kids

Posted 17 May 2021 at 11:28 am

Vickie Scroger, Jason Requa make extra effort for local youth

Photos and information courtesy of Orleans County Youth Board

The Orleans County Youth Board is recognizing two adults in the community for their dedication to young people.

The Youth Board typically recognizes an adult worker and an adult volunteer during the annual Youth Recognition Banquet. This year the awards program won’t be held in person due to Covid-19 restrictions and concerns.

The Helen R. Brinsmaid Memorial Youth Worker Award is named for Brinsmaid, who have 33 years of community service in Orleans County. The award is presented to a paid professional who emulates dedication and service to youth and families above and beyond their paid position.

Vickie Scroger

Vickie Scroger is this year’s winner. She is the manager of food service at Holley Central School where she always makes sure the students have delicious, balanced meals for breakfast, lunch and after-school snacks.

While this is her job and what is expected of her, she always does more than she needs to, according to penny Cole, a co-worker who nominated Scroger.

In her role as food service manager, Scroger decorates the dining hall and serving areas for each holiday and/or event. During Homecoming, she has all of the different sports teams recognized with their own soccer ball, football, track shoe, or megaphone with each student’s name.

This takes countless hours, yet she does it each year. During the week of the musical, Vickie has musical themed menus for each day and, again, decorates to match the show. She does sports banquets at cost, so that all athletes and their families can attend when otherwise they wouldn’t be able to.

She has always gone out of her way to make things nice for the kids. Last year when the pandemic hit, she worked tirelessly to come up with different fun meals for the students. Vickie went above and beyond to make sure the students had filling, hot meals.

The parents would come each day to pick up breakfast and lunch, which meant preparing 180 meals most days, for both meals. She would also bake homemade cookies for them once in a while as a treat.

At Easter, she purchased Easter eggs and filled them with little candies so students would have a treat. Vickie had a team of helpers to assist her but the success of this was all Vickie’s planning and preparation. She genuinely loves the students and this past year has shown just how much. She always says, “It’s about the kids or it’s for the kids.” The Holley School District is extremely lucky to have such a remarkable, kind and caring lady.

In memory and spirit of Eileen Heye, the Eileen Heye Adult Volunteer Recognition Award honors an individual who is a role model for the youth of today and gives of themselves to better the lives of children.

Jason Requa

Jason Requa is the type of person that stands off to the side, just out of reach of most cameras, and lifts others towards the spotlight. He has led many young people in developing life skills and has never asked for anything in return. He truly wants to see the youth of his community grow into great adults. Jason works for the Local 3 Brick and Tile Setters Union in Rochester. His job requires frequent travel, but Jason still manages to help coach soccer, serve as a member of the Kendall Board of Education, and assist with Eagle Scout projects – all while supporting his own family.

Jason’s commitment to volunteerism within the community is admirable, said Kendall Scoutmaster Ken Spohr, who nominated Requa for the award.

Jason is always dedicated to becoming a better coach and leader. He has the ability to reach the hearts, minds and skill sets of the youth, which shows through his coaching. Jason’s passion for teaching life-long confidence and skill sets does not end at coaching, as he is a huge influence with the Kendall Boy Scouts. He used his knowledge of masonry work to teach the scouts, which led them to be able to complete the physical labor to finish their project at the Kendall War Memorial.

He has also spent countless hours educating youth about opportunities after high school in the skilled trades fields. Jason’s long-term influence on youth has already molded them into confident and successful college students, detailed skilled tradesmen, and dedicated people serving our country.

Through his employment with the union, he reaches young veterans through a program called Helmets to Hard Hats, to help them get jobs in trades after leaving the service. The strength of Jason’s influence is directly related to his dedication to youth, but he also leads by example as an adult who gives back to his community.