Sponsored by The Dragon's Den in the Poughkeepsie Plaza - the store that's all about fun and The Art Gallery (inside the PX) at West Point, 1204 Stony Lonesome Road, West Point, NY 10906 (845) 446-4230 April '08 Bae-Corine Schulz, 8, New Hampton, NY (l.-r.) Coop, Kricket, Tobin, Bae-Corine and instructor Tom Short
Bae-Corine Schulz of New Hampton is only eight years old. When she was five, she cut off all her hair and donated it to the 'Locks for Love' Foundation. She also raised $590 for 'Pasta for Pennies,' which will benefit patients afflicted with leukemia and lymphoma. Bae-Corine has her sights set on being a veternarian or marine biologist. Hey Bae-Corine, you rock!
March '08 Danielle Moruzzi, 13, Saugerties, NY (l.-r.) Coop, Danielle, Kricket and Tobin Danielle Moruzzi, 13, of Saugerties was diagnosed two years ago with an autoimmune disorder. She raised $1800 for an organization called CUREJM, which is dedicated to finding a cure for her disease. In October of '07, Danielle volunteered at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC as part of a group fundraiser for CUREJM. For her 13th birthday party at Kiwanis Ice Rink in Saugerties, Danielle asked friends to make a donation to the Shriners Hospital for Children in lieu of gifts. She raised over $900! Hey Danielle, you rock!
February '08 David Narvaez,13, Wallkill, NY (l.-r.) Coop, David and Tobin David Narvaez of Wallkill has made a commitment to raise funds for our troops overseas. (David's sister, Sgt. Julia Narvaez, has served in Iraq since August of 2007.) He created his own community service organization called "Playing Tunes for Troops." If a store allows him to, for example, the Shoprite in Montgomery, he plays his clarinet outside the store to raise money. David plays patriotic music, and raised hundreds of dollars so far. Hey David, you rock!
January '08 Jeffrey Celestino, 14, Poughkeepsie, NY (l.-r.) Tobin, Jeffrey, Coop and Jeff's dad, Jeff Sr. Jeffrey Celestino of Poughkeepsie make a huge contribution to the community during the '07 holiday season. He encouraged several retail outlets to contribute gift cards to buy over $5400 in toys, clothes, books, diapers, electronics and toiletries to benefit the women and children who reside at the Grace Smith House. His good deed was recognized by the Poughkeepsie Journal in their Christmas Day edition. Hey Jeffrey, you rock! December '07 Cory Rivera, 16, Napanoch, NY (l.-r.) Tobin, Coop, Cory and Kricket Cory Rivera is a junior in the Ellenville School District and recently became an Eagle Scout. He's also a member of the Ulster County Sheriff Explorer Cadet Post 129, a member of the Napanoch Fire Department and Captain of the Ellenville School District Drumline. Cory's Eagle Scout project was for the benefit of elementary school children. Cory, with the help of elementary and high school students, teachers, fire and and emergency personnel, boy scouts, cub scouts, the Rolling V Bus Company and the Ulster County Sheriff's Department, planned and produced a set of safety videos geared for young children. Hey Cory, you rock! November '07 Brendan Kelly, 13, Montgomery, NY
(l.-r.) Tobin, Brendan and Kricket Brendan Kelly really rocks. He's a guitarist in the band A Fragile Tomorrow, which also includes his brothers. The band played The Chance in Poughkeepsie in October, and they're currently working hard on their second CD. Brendan is a Hendrix protege, and plays the axe with his teeth, and also behind his back. Hey Brandan, you rock!
October '07 Zackary Nolan, 10, Putnam Valley, NY (l.-r.) Zackary, Coop, Kricket and Tobin Fifth-grader Zackary Nolan of Putnam Valley developed and published the very first edition of his school's newspaper at Putnam Valley Elementary School. He organized a small group of students who wrote stories, took photographs and ultimately edited and produced the paper using Microsoft Publisher. Zack has made a historical contribution to the school and received great reviews from his fellow classmates and school staff alike. Hey Zackary, you rock! September '07 Kristen Capolino, 17, Shokan, NY (l.-r.) Coop, Kristen, Kricket, Tobin Seventeen-year-old guitarist Kristen Capolino is no stranger to Hudson Valley rock fans. The Michael Schenker protege has played the WPDH roofathon for the past three years, as well as benefits for cancer patients, Rock for Christian, Mammapolooza with Judy Norman, Women Who Jam for NABFEM in New York City, and has even shredded in the C5 "Galaxy" aircraft at Stewart's Air Force base for the troops. Kristen is home-schooled, and does volunteer work for the Avalon Seniors Home. Her family are in final negotiations with Vibe Records to handle the release of her debut CD, 'All That I Am.' Hey Kristen, you rock!
August '07 Amanda Hewitt, 11, Wallkill, NY (clockwise from lower left) Amanda, Tobin, Coop and Kricket Amanda Hewitt, 11, of Wallkill, is a student at the Plattekill elementary school and has been accepted into the People to People World Leadership Forum, scheduled for 2008 in Washington, DC. Amanda was accepted based on outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential. Amanda will earn high school credit while studying at the Forum, which examines the characteristics of American leadership during times of both national challenge and prosperity. The program fuffills the vision of President Dwight D. Eisenhower who founded People to People during his presidency in 1956. Hey Amanda, you rock!
July '07 Macallan Durkin, 12, Poughkeepsie, NY (l.-r.) Kricket, Macallan, Tobin After Macallan Durkin, 12, of Poughkeepsie returned home after living in Botswana for three years, she began raising money to help the homeless children of Africa. Macallan created a line of t-shirts and beading kits, and then expanded to goody bag items, At the inaugural Youth Festival at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds, she presented her non-profit "Goody Goodies" for the first time. Macallan is an honor-roll student and in June received a community service award from the Dutchess County Youth Board. Hey Macallan, you rock! June '07 Daniel Colodner, 12, Monroe, NY (l.-r.) Coop, Tobin, Kricket, Sandra Colodner (mom), Daniel, and his dad David When Daniel Colodner, 12, of Monroe, saw an ABC 20/20 program devoted to The Children of Camden, he sprang into action. He was so touched by the show, he wrote a letter to ABC that was subsequently read on Good Morning America. He then raised $1200 to benefit The Children of Camden, and is now involved in a fundraiser to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of America. He also helped the Monroe-Woodbury Student Council raise over $2500. ABC plans to film a portion of Daniel's efforts for a follow-up. Hey Daniel, you rock! May '07 Jeremy Sabath, 13, Katonah, NY (l.-r.) Jeremy, Tobin, Kricket, Jeremy's brother Mike, Coop Jeremy Sabath, 13, of Katonah, organized a Jammin' for Darfur contest in Kathonah. The concert raised $32,000. The funds were used to purchase 1,300 solar cookies for Darfer refugees. (Solar cookies use the sun's energy instead of fire and eliminate the danger of leaving camps in search of wood to fuel fires.) The benefit featured local musicians from 9 to 17 in age and was held at the Katonah Public library. Performers contributed sponsorship donations, audience members paid admission, and an anonymous donor matched every dollar raised. Hundreds of refugees are safer today because of Jeremy's grassroots effort. Hey Jeremy, and all the young musicians, you rock!
April '07 Kevin Eells, 17, Millbrook, NY (l.-r.) Coop, Kevin, Kricket and Tobin Kevin Eells of Millbrook stayed underwater at the Dutchess County YMCA pool for an astounding 24 hours to raise money for the organization. Kevin is an experienced diver who has been certified since 2003 and holds advanced certificates. More than 10 volunteer safety divers monitored Kevin's dive, which was the subject of a feature story in the Poughkeepsie Journal. The fund-raising dive will be repeated in 2008, albeit with a team of divers, not just Kevin. Kevin is also a YMCA volunteer who assists with pool maintenance and repair. He is a volunteer fireman with the Union Vale Fire Company, a Boy Scout who holds the rank of Life Scout with Troop 31, and a student at Millbook Senior High School. Hey Kevin, you rock!
March '07 Christina Catalano, 16, Marlboro, NY (l.-r.) Coop, Christina, Kricket and Tobin Christina Catalano of Marlboro, a junior at Marlboro High School, helps tutor mentally-challenged classmates. She co-ordinated a special craft workshop so they could present their parents with a gift which they had made and wrapped themselves. She also assists her teachers during her study halls. Christina is the student liaison to the Marlboro Board of Education and a PETA activist. Christina plans to be a doctor or criminal investigator. Hey Christina, you rock!
February '07 Michelle Birney, 16, Tusten, NY (l.-r.) Coop, Tobin, Kricket and Michelle
Michelle Birney of Tusten is an honors student, plays the flute and is a member of the Year Book committee and Student Council, as well as sports programs, at her school. Michelle raises money for all sorts of causes, and was involved in a walkathon for Lupus in honor of her Mom. Michelle helped raise over $2000 to fight Lupus, and will go to Washington, DC to meet with a Congressional committee about Lupus. Hey Michelle, you rock!
January '07 Shelby Roger, 14, Lakeville, CT (l.-r.) Coop, Shelby, Kricket and Tobin Shelby Roger of Lakeville, Connecticut is a Junior Firefighter, and is in charge of the entire Junior Firefighter division in Lakeville. Shelby has also been certified in ice rescue since she was 13. She has assisted in many fire fights in Lakeville and the bordering town of Millerton, NY. Her father is the Chief of Lakeville; her uncle is Chief of Millerton. She is also very active in the sports programs in her school. Hey Shelby, you rock!
December '06 Lee Wood, 15, Earlton, NY (l.-r.) Lee's dad, Lee, Coop, Kricket and Tobin After two young men passed away in Lee's school district of Greenville, he organized a benefit concert with thirteen local bands to help minimize the costs the families were facing. Lee even had t-shirts printed up. The concert was a success. The parents of the deceased boys spoke between sets. Lee was able to raise $1100. Lee's future goal is to continue promoting local bands and helping with charities. Hey Lee, you rock!
November '06 TJ Madison, 17, New Windsor, NY (l.-r.) TJ, his stepdad Keith Sands, Kricket, Tobin and Coop
Trystan (TJ) Madison, 17 is currently taking seven advanced placement classes in his senior year at Newburgh Free Academy. His average in his junior year was 98.9%. TJ is a member of the National Honor Society, and has helped with the American Red Cross fund drive and the cleanup of Plum Point Park in New Windsor. TJ also volunteers as a referee for the Town of New Windsor soccer league. He tutors students as well. He has already won a $45,000 scholarship to Clarkson University. Hey TJ, you rock!
October '06 Bettina Briccetti, 14, Wappinger Falls, NY (l.-r.) Michael Briccetti (Bettina's dad), Tobin, Coop, Bettina and Kricket Bettina Briccetti started The Challenger League, a little league team for children with disabilities. A family friend suffers from a seizure disorder and is unable to play baseball in the regular league due to his diabilities. Bettina contacted the Wappinger Little League and put together the Challenger League. She obtained a charter, secured insurance, ordered uniforms and worked out a budget. Then Bettina spread the word at Hudson Valley Renegades games, handed out flyers and made endless phone calls. Now The Challenger League is in its third year with 30 kids participating. Hey Bettina, you rock!
September '06 Michael DeFrance, 16, Wappinger Falls, NY (l.-r.) Tobin, Reno, Michael DeFrance and Kricket
Michael DeFrance, 16, holds a second-degree blackbelt and is a certified Tae Kwon Do instructor. He teaches at the Karate school Just For Kicks three days a week. He has received numerous karate awards, including the PKC (Professional Karate Commission) humanitarian award. In the summer of '06, Michael won the Gold medal in sparring in the Junior Olympics in Virginia Beach. For the past three years, he's participated in the Breast Cancer Kick-a-thon. Michael tutors grade school kids whenever asked. He also is a research assistant for a subcontractor for Consumer Reports. Hey Michael, you rock! August '06 Colin Schmitt, 16, Montgomery, NY (l.-r.) Reno, Colin, Kricket and Tobin Colin Schmitt of Montgomery is President of the Young Republicans club and a member of the Orange County Young Republicans. His goal in life is to soar in politics. In middle school, he organized fundraisers for the FDNY after September 11th, 2001. In seventh grade, he contacted many local politicians and had them donate new flags for the school. In eighth grade, he started a fundraiser to purchase carbon monoxide detectors for families in his local elementary school. (He ended up purchasing over 200 detectors!) In the summer of '05, he organized and produced a Battle of the Bands at his local park and raised money for a children's diabetics fund. Hey Colin, you rock! July '06 Courtney Weis, 14, Gardiner, NY (l.-r.: Reno, Courtney, her dog Zak, Kricket and Tobin) Courtney Weis of Gardiner has been a 4H kid for 9 years. Last year, her dog Zak was certified as a therapy dog. They visit Duzine elementary school for a program called "children reading to dogs." Courtney has also organized an organ donor awareness drive, and has had over 48 people sign donor cards since she started in January. Courtney volunteers for Toys for Tots with the OC Hog Association -- she also works at Moroney's MDA runs. Hey Courtney, you rock!
June '06 Michael McNamee, 18, Walden, NY (l.-r.: Reno, Michael, his mom Janis, Frankenberry) Michael McNamee is a senior at Valley Central High School. He's been a member of the Walden Volunteer Fire Department since he was 16, a member of the Walden Fire Department Explorers since 14. He's also a member of the haz-mat team. Michael is certified in water rescue and ice water rescue. He's been a volunteer with the Town of Montgomery ambulance corps. since he was 16. He's completed his EMT course, and has passed all his tests and physicals for the Air National Guard. Hey Michael, you rock!