• ByLiz Giegerich
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• October 19, 2011

Peekskill High School’s Stephanie Gil is among the ten Westchester County high school seniors who will be honored by county officials tonight for having shown “exceptional commitment to their local communities.”

Gil is selected as a recipients of the Westchester County Youth Board’s 2011 Milly Kibrick Youth Service Awards.

The Milly Kibrick Youth Service Awards are given in memory of Milly Kibrick, a prominent county social worker and youth activist, who dedicated her life to helping underprivileged children.

“Milly was a driving force in improving the lives of young people,” County Executive Rob Astorino said. “She made a lasting impact on our community. This year’s honorees are following in her footsteps. Their work has improved their own communities and at a young age they have managed to accomplish great things.”

We wrote about Stephanie Gil last year, when she was involved with the Peekskill High School drama, and are just as impressed with her today.

Gil lives in Peekskill and attends Peekskill High School.  She has been a part of the community service club at her school since she was a freshman and now enjoys the honor of being co-president  Her interest in community service stems from her desire to make others happier.

Her desire to help others be happier has not only led her to do community service, but to also participate in her school Drama department. From back stage set building to acting lead on stage, Stephanie has participated in all aspects of and considers the drama department to be a small family where artistic expression can be set free. She is the president of Peekskill High School’s student council and treasurer of the twelfth grade class council. She enjoys all things academic, which is why she participates in the school’s Academic Competition Club of which she is president.

Stephanie is a dedicated young adult not only in her studies, but also to her school and community. She has maintained a 4.0 GPA and has also helped organize school activities such as Spirit Week and tutored fellow students.  She has also helped to execute and plan arts and crafts activities as well as dances with senior citizens. Stephanie has volunteered her time at a business expo in her town and the Hudson Valley Hospital Center. She’d also like to thank her community service advisor, Allison Risoli, for truly being like a second mother to her at school and for nominating her for this award.

The aim of the Youth Board’s awards program is to recognize high school seniors of the Class of 2012 who have been involved in building a flourishing, strong and compassionate community through individual efforts and actions, according to officials.