White Plains Honors 100 Youth for Essays
By Sam Barron
Why is White Plains one of the 100 best communities in America for young people? Just ask its youth that it serves.
On Wednesday, more than 100 White Plains youth were honored at White Plains High School for essays they wrote on why White Plains was a great community. America’s Promise Alliance recently named White Plains one of its 100 Best Communities for Young People.
Alyssa Ghilardi was one of the honorees. Ghilardi said that White Plains, in particular the White Plains Youth Bureau, has provided many opportunities for her family.
“They help guide students and allow them to develop,” Ghilardi said. “It gives them a strong base for the world.”
Ghilardi said the youth bureau gives kids a safe place to go to and fun activities to participate in. Ghilardi, who sits on the youth council and plays basketball, even traveled to Mexico with the youth bureau.
“Winning this award means a lot,” Ghilardi said. “This shows how I feel about the youth bureau.”
Raina Kadavil was another honoree. Like Ghilardi, Kadavil praised the opportunities that the youth bureau has given to her.
“Everyone is so supportive,” Kadavil, whose mom works at the youth bureau, said. “I couldn’t have done anything without them.”
Kadavil participates in the youth council and is also a part of White Plains Reads, which encourages reading in young people.
“I am really honored,” Kadavil said. “Thank you to White Plains. Writing is my passion.”
Frank Williams, the White Plains Youth Bureau’s executive director, said that this event speaks to the fact that White Plains truly cares about its kids.
“Young people rise to our expectations and become healthy, productive and successful adults,” Williams said. “It’s all about the collaborative partnerships that we have. A kid raised in White Plains will have more resources and opportunities to reach their full potential than a kid in Mount Vernon.”
White Plains Superintendent Christopher Clouet said he felt like a proud father seeing his students honored and praised the relationship the school has with the youth bureau.
“I love the youth bureau,” Clouet said. “We’re like family. It’s a great partnership for a great city. We work together because we care about the young people.”
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.