The YMCA of Metro North recognized the support the Y receives to make an impact in the community thanks to the donors, partners and volunteers at the Y Champions Celebration at Gannon Golf Club on May 17.

The Y was proud to award the first annual YMCA Youth Champions Scholarship to 7 graduating high school seniors from the Y’s service area. The YMCA created this scholarship opportunity with the intention to acknowledge the amazing students who have made a difference in their community, demonstrate a strong sense of social responsibility, and embody the YMCA core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. The scholarships were reviewed by a volunteer committee, who evaluated applications and interviewed the finalists with the intention of giving a $500 scholarship to two students. Committee members included Arthur Bourque from the Town of Lynnfield, Julie Daigle from the City of Peabody, Nicolas D’Onofrio from Boston Children’s Hospital at Peabody, Nanci Horn from MarketStreet Lynnfield, Tim Kolojay from Energi insurance, Cidalia Schwartz from Lyon Waugh Auto Group and Brian Vinagro from Peabody Wealth Advisors.

“The review committee was so moved by these amazing students, they were determined to find a way to provide scholarships to all of our finalists,” said Crystal Bates, VP of Communications for the YMCA of Metro North. “Thanks to the generosity of Arthur & Joan Bourque, Lyon Waugh Auto Group and Boston Children’s Hospital, we are thrilled to be able to award all seven of these very deserving young people with a $500 scholarship! We know these students will continue to make a difference in their college communities and beyond.”

Congratulations to the 2017 YMCA Youth Champion Scholarship winners!

Nicole Coates, Lynn
Lindsey Duhamel, Stoneham
Caitlin Dwyer, Peabody
Sara Feinstein, Peabody
Courtney Ingersoll, Saugus
Andrew Maguire, Melrose
Hannah Pellizzaro, Peabody

The Y Champions Celebration also recognized the support from volunteers and community partners. Whole Foods Lynnfield received the YMCA Community Partner Award in recognition for their support and collaboration. Mike Brown of North Shore Bank was recognized for his outstanding commitment to volunteerism with the Y with the Leonard Service Volunteer Award. “We are thankful that Mike chose to give his time and effort to making the Y and our community a better place,” said Bruce Macdonald, President & CEO of the YMCA of Metro North. “Congratulations and thanks to Mike and Whole Foods for all that they do to support the Y!”

YMCA Youth Champion Scholarship recipients pictured L-R: Hannah Pellizzaro, Drew Maguire, Courtney Ingersoll, Sara Feinstein, Caitlin Dwyer, Lindsey Duhamel, Nicole Coates. Also pictured are members of the scholarship review committee L-R Arthur Bourque, Cidalia Schwartz and Nicolas D’Onofrio. Not pictured are review committee members Julie Daigle, Nanci Horn, Tim Kolojay and Brian Vinagro.