From Left To Right – SITTING: Sarah Kung, Carmen Montoya, Lila Hudson, Samantha Ferrara, Jenna Bojku, Lexi Parsons, Maura McCormack. MIDDLE: Deborah Blatt (Guest Speaker & Founder and Executive Director of The Sharing Shelf), Fiona Kelly, Gabriella Meyo, Caileigh Waters, Alyssa Crane, Eliana Lieber, Tayla Shaw, Luis Angel Ochoa (Constituent Services & Community Affairs Associate for New York State Senator Shelly Mayer), Richard Bush (Senior Vice President, St. Vincent’s Hospital). BACK STANDING: Traci DeConcini (Youth Award Co-Chair & St. Vincent’s Auxiliary Board Member), Christie Manning (Youth Award Co-Chair & St. Vincent’s Auxiliary Board Member), Nicholas Gonda, Ethan Smolkin, Caspar Hamilton, Cole Cathcart, Alexander Mendlovsky
– St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester, a division of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center, and the Auxiliary Board of St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester celebrated the winners of the 34th Annual Youth Awards, recognizing 20 high school students for their exceptional volunteer service and commitment to St. Vincent’s values.
Approximately 100 supporters, including students’ families, high school guidance counselors, and school representatives, attended the event on March 25. In addition to receiving the St. Vincent’s Youth Award, honorees were presented with U.S. Congressional Certificates of Achievement.
Deborah Blatt delivered the keynote address. Ms. Blatt, Founder and Executive Director of The Sharing Shelf, a Port Chester, NY-based organization established in 2009 to provide clothing and basic necessities to children and teens in need. A former attorney, Blatt created the non-profit to address clothing insecurity in Westchester County, often featuring a “Teen Boutique” for dignity in shopping. Reflecting on her dedication to philanthropy and community service, she shared with the students her accomplishments and encouraged them to continue making a difference in their community.
The St. Vincent’s Annual Youth Awards was established in 1993 by the Auxiliary Board of St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester to recognize young people who support St. Vincent’s values and to promote lifelong patterns of volunteerism. Each year, the awards honor students from area high schools whose service best exemplifies these values.
This year’s honorees include:
| Jenna | Bojku | St. Catharine Academy |
| Cole | Cathcart | Fordham Preparatory School |
| Alyssa | Crane | School of the Holy Child |
| Samantha | Ferrara | Harrison High School |
| Nicholas | Gonda | Bronxville High School |
| Caspar | Hamilton | Byram Hills High School |
| Lila | Hudson | Rye High School |
| Fiona | Kelly | Maria Regina High School |
| Sarah | Kung | Scarsdale High School |
| Jaime | Lieber | White Plains High School |
| Maura | McCormack | The Ursuline School |
| Alexander | Mendlovsky | Archbishop Stepinac High School |
| Gabrielle | Meyo | Maria Regina High School |
| Carmen | Montoya | Port Chester High School |
| Lexi | Parsons | Sacred Heart Greenwich |
| Tayla | Shaw | Mamaroneck High School |
| Ethan | Smolkin | The Masters School |
| Taylor | Vroom | Rye Neck High School |
| Caileigh | Waters | Fox Lane |
| Matthew | Zimmerman | Iona Preparatory School |
“We are deeply honored to recognize these exceptional young people. Their dedication to service and their embodiment of St. Vincent’s values are a powerful inspiration to our community,” said Michael J. Spicer, President and CEO of Saint Joseph’s Medical Center.
To make a donation to St. Vincent’s Hospital Westchester and support programs like the Youth Awards, as well as efforts to enhance patient care, visit saintjosephs.org/about-us/ways-to-give/donate/st.-vincent’s-honor-and-memorial-donations. Link to webpage for photos of each youth and their bios. https://www.saintjosephs.org/about-us/event/st.-vincent’s-youth-awards/2025-youth-awards
