On Wednesday, October 19th, Kyle McGovern, a senior at Sleepy Hollow High School, was honored at the Westchester County Youth Board’s 2011 Milly Kibrick Service Awards Dinner. The Westchester County Youth Board is committed to promoting and enhancing efforts at serving youth and their families. The Board supports programs that strengthen the capacity of the family, raising public awareness on critical youth issues, and ensuring comprehensive, quality, and collaborative services. Kyle is one of 10 high school seniors in the entire county selected to receive this honor.
Present at the Awards Dinner was Youth Bureau Coordinator, Mary Kate Cabaleiro and Westchester County Board of Legislators Chairman, Ken Jenkins. The Master of Ceremonies was Brian Conybeare, news anchor and reporter for News 12 Westchester.
Kyle’s accolades were shared with those in attendance by Mr. Conybeare. Mentioned was Kyle’s active participation in extra-curricular activities, including serving as Sleepy Hollow’s Student Body President, his membership in various clubs, including the Environmental Club (SPEAR) and the Multimedia Team. Kyle participates in three varsity sports: Cross Country, Ice Hockey, and Lacrosse.
Volunteer work and community service have always been a central and fundamental part of Kyle’s life. He has participated in several “Weeks of Hope” programs, where Kyle, along with other teens and counselors, traveled to areas of poverty to conduct neighborhood clean-ups, lawn maintenance, painting of houses, and clearing out of garages.
Locally, Kyle has contributed to numerous community events and fundraisers, including participating in local car washes and spaghetti dinners. In addition, Kyle has participated in and volunteered for several 5K, 10K, and triathlon fundraising events, including charitable swims across the Hudson River, all to benefit the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society. Kyle’s most personally rewarding community service is the “Bread & Loaves” food pantry located in Ossining, New York. This community service calls for Kyle and his family to dedicate various Saturdays throughout the year to preparing and serving free meals to those in need within the community.
His nominator, Patricia Bonitatibus, School Counselor at Sleepy Hollow High School, stated on the nomination form that “Kyle is a bright, civic-minded, altruistic and natural leader. Everybody loves Kyle – his infectious personality is easily
contagious. He gives of his time to help others willingly and does not seek any fanfare or accolades for his efforts. He is intelligent, kind, humorous, and well on his way to being a superstar.” ©
