On August 7, more than 120 campers at the Princeton Family YMCA’s Discovery Camp and M.V.P. Sports Camp gathered for the presentation of the fifth annual YMCA Alexander K. Buck Leadership Award.
Those selected to receive the surprise honor were Jordan McDonald of Franklin Park and Samantha Adamczyk of Lawrenceville.
The award is presented annually to two YMCA camp counselors, one young man and one young woman, who best exemplify and reflect the leadership qualities, character and passions of the late Alexander “Whip” K. Buck, a longtime Princeton resident and former trustee and supporter of the YMCA and its mission.
The qualities and characteristics include demonstrating the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility; showing humility and kindness to others in actions, words and deeds; serving as a good citizen in the camp community and showing a love of democratic principles of fairness and respect; possessing an infectious spirit of fun and adventure and inspiring others to follow; valuing the natural environment and encouraging others to do the same; demonstrating a balance of spirit, mind and body as a well-rounded individual; learning from his or her mistakes and accepting and sharing wisdom; and putting others first and being committed to serving others at every turn; And finally, being “a good friend to all.”
Paul Zeger, Princeton Family YMCA senior program director, who helped with the presentation of the awards, said, “Mr. Buck’s extraordinary life, as a longtime supporter of the YMCA mission and many other important community organizations, continues to inspire our Y family and others. This annual award gives us a happy occasion to remember him, while serving as a wonderful testimony to his good works and legacy.”
Samantha “Sammie” Adamczyk, daughter of Michael and Pamela Adamczyk of Lawrenceville, joined the Princeton Family YMCA’s summer camp this year as the Nature Camp director. Her dedication to working with children, friendliness, positive attitude and inspiring a love of the outdoors among her campers and colleagues embodies the true meaning of a camp counselor. Samantha attends Unity College in Maine where she studies sustainable science.
Jordan McDonald, son of Derrick and Deanna McDonald of Franklin Park, is a YMCA camp counselor for a second year with the Y’s M.V.P. Sports Camp. A rising sophomore at George Washington University and a Hun School alumnus, Jordan has a passion for athletics and enjoys using sports as a tool to teach teamwork and values to children.
“I love being able to influence kids and teach them, but also learn from them,” he said.
Both young adults are truly “a friend to all” and served as exemplary role models to their peers and to the campers, and demonstrated the YMCA mission in action throughout the summer. Each received a plaque and certificate in recognition of their achievement.
