NORWICH – Now in its third year, the Norwich High School Youth Philanthropy Council held its annual awards presentation Tuesday night in the NHS Library and Media Center.

Youth Philanthropy Council co-advisor Sue Fertig introduced the 11 NHS students that make up the group – seniors Hayley Chwazik-Gee, Cleo Daoud, Lucas Follett, Katie Orioli, Victoria Parsons, Nathaniel Perry, Ethan Steers and Ryan Tomanocy; juniors Angelina Festarini and Patty McNeil and Sophomore John Antonowicz – who were selected following an application process and interview.

The goal of the council, according to Fertig and fellow advisor Elizabeth Monaco, is to get students involved with the non-profit and philanthropic process, teach local youth about the importance and impact it can have, develop leadership skills and better understand the critical needs in Chenango County. As a member, students participate in numerous discussions, write a mission statement and, ultimately, decide on a group of applicants who would share in $10,000 in Chenango United Way and the Foundation of South Central New York funding.

This year, the council decided on a trio of recipients it felt deserving of the grant moneys – the Norwich-based Children’s Center, the Oxford Youth Center and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

The Children’s Center received $2,000 in funding, presented by Parsons and Steers. Children’s Center Director Darlene Alexander, who accepted the award, considered it was an honor for the center to be recognized at Tuesday night’s presentation.

“It’s refreshing to see youth dedicated to their communities and committed to positive ideals,” she added. “The Children’s Center is especially proud of Victoria Parsons, who was a former attendee at our facility.”

Parsons said that – when she was young – the Children’s Center focused on making every game a learning opportunity.

“From a young age, we were taught important values and skills to help us succeed by a caring and competent staff,” she added. “As I aged out of the program, it was clear that innovations had been made to better the services they provided. This is a trend which has clearly been continued.”

The funding will be used to purchase computers for the center’s 3s and 4s preschool classrooms, and Alexander said she believed they’ll be a “tremendous asset” to the program. More importantly, she added, they will assist and prepare children who – in the not too distant future – may end up as students at NHS and members of the Youth Philanthropy Council, themselves.

Steers said he had advocated for the center from the start, primarily due to its request for funding in order to purchase computers.

“I’m a fan of technology and an even greater fan of children, so naturally, their advancement and development is important to me,” he added. “The center asked for much less than our maximum, but they made a great impact on not just me, but the rest of the group, who almost unanimously chose this program.”