Here is a link to the original story on the team's website.
NEW YORK- Four Staten Island youths who demonstrate leadership and concern for their community are the 2017 Staten Island Yankees/Con Edison kids.
The students were honored Thursday at the first Staten Island Yankees/Con Edison Kids recognition night at Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George. The ceremony took place before the game against the Connecticut Tigers.
The honorees are: Julia Hart, 15, Isaiah Terry, 15, Triniti Jackson, 11, and Sean Gomez, 13.
“This program honors young people who excel in the classroom by getting good grades and in the community by donating their time for good causes,” said Will Smith, president and operating partner for the Yankees. “We thank Con Edison and look forward to honoring elite young Staten Islanders for years to come.”
The ballpark crowd acknowledged the winner with applause as their images flashed on the screen in center field while they stood on the field. The children and their parents then watched the game – a 4-0 Yankees victory – from a luxury suite.
“I think it is a pretty big accomplishment, and I’d like to thank Con Edison for naming me a 2017 Staten Island Yankees/Con Edison Kid,” said Sean Gomez. “I feel like I accomplished something significant and it has me feeling proud.”
Community organizations from across the Island nominated youths who exhibit leadership, sportsmanship, and volunteerism. The nominees also had to have a grade point average of B or better.
“Having quality volunteers like Julia and Isaiah is critical for our organization to sustain our mission,” said Heather Butts, executive director and co-founder of Health, Education, Academics, Life Skills, Training, and Help (HEALTH) for Kids. “Volunteering is important to the kids because the opportunity to beautify their enviroment gives them gratification.”
Additional information about the impressive honorees:
- Julia Hart is a volunteer with HEALTH for Youth. As part of a gardening project this summer, she designed a model for an irrigation system.
- Sean Gomez is a vice president with the Staten Island NAACP Youth Council and has represented the council at three state and two national conventions. Sean has won gold, silver and bronze medals in track and bowling while representing Staten Island at regional and state Special Olympics competitions.
- Triniti Jackson is a leader of the NYC Parks Staten Island Recreation Robotics Team, inspiring her teammates, who participated in their first robotics competition this past year.
- Isaiah Terry also volunteers with HEALTH for Youth. He has participated in park clean-ups and gardening projects. He takes his passion for volunteerism to school, where he participates in community service projects.
This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.