Eight Hillsborough YMCA Employees Honored for Excellence

The Somerset Valley YMCA honored 12 employees with a special recognition award for going above and beyond their job responsibilities in serving members and their communities in 2012, and also gave out awards to 30 employees for their many years of service.

“These award winners have served the Somerset Valley YMCA with a lot of dedication and heart," Dana Scarantino, a member of the Somerset Valley YMCA Pride Committee, said. "We are pleased to recognize them today for their extraordinary efforts to provide quality service in their jobs, making an impact on our ability to support our members and our community.” 

The awards breakfast was held at Kyma restaurant in Somerville May 9, and honored employees working in the Y's child care, membership, summer camp, fitness, youth development aquatics and maintenance departments.

The keynote speaker was Chuck Warner, who has led seven national YMCA swim teams to championships and served on the US Olympics International Committee. He said that anticipation, preparation and dedication are what lead to excellence in any job.

He also spoke about former Y swimmers who had dedicated their lives to helping others, including one who established a charitable foundation for cancer and another who set up a foundation to help inner city children to learn to swim.

“Your good work makes an impact down the road," Warner said. "So many kids will be able to make a huge difference in the world because because of what you do.”

Warner founded the ARETE Aquatic Services swim program and camp.

Staff honored for excellence were Hillsborough's Kavita Amesur, Linda Hook, Ali Ibrahim, Michelle Kelper, Hing Lew, Stephanie Marazzo, Adele Morgan and Eileen Rind; Tracy Lavelle, Meghan McCooe and Frank Oliver of the Somerville Family YMCA; and Garrett Stewart from the Bridgewater Family YMCA.

Certificates were also awarded to those who have been at the Somerset Valley YMCA for five, 10, 15 and 20 years. The 20-year honorees were Fred and Lesley Woodruff, SVY diving coaches, and Silvana Bucciero, a member of the Somerville child care staff. Fred Woodruff is also the diving coach for Rutgers University.

Submitted by Bev McCarron