By Grace Bennett, Photos by Kat McKee
Emphasizing the importance of tolerance and respect for diversity, Nethmi DeSilva, a sophomore at Fox Lane High School, accepted a Boys and Girls Club of Northern Westchester “Youth of the Year Award” during a warm and festive reception at Crabtree’s Kittle House.
DeSilva, who has been coming to BGCNW since preschool (when her mom worked there as a nursery school teacher), described her early years as feeling easily frightened and overwhelmed. “Being comfortable in my own skin was a struggle for me. At school I was quiet and I never talked much unless I was with my friends. I would always want to participate in class, but feel too nervous.”
The Club, Nethmi related, “helped me realize my full potential, and embrace my leadership skills.”
“We are fortunate to live in a multicultural nation, and still, discrimination exists. It’s important for our youth to tolerate and respect the differences of others. As Boys and Girls Club members we are privileged to have a program such as “Youth for Unity,” which teaches us how to deal with diversity. I hope that programs like this will keep being reinforced in young people’s lives whether at organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club or even in schools. In the words of Helen Keller “the highest result of education is tolerance.”
In other awards, Cameron Rosen, a senior at Fox Lane, received the “Chris Cutri award,” “which recognizes positive attitude, perseverance, strength, kindness, integrity and sportsmanship.
The Youth of the Year Finalists were Cristy Lopez-Duarte, a Fox Lane senior too, and Lillian Chang, a Fox Lane Junior.
