The YMCA of Metuchen, Edison, Woodbridge & South Amboy (MEWSA) announced the John Malinowski Rising Star Employee Award recipients for 2019.
The Award is named after John G. Malinowski, former Metuchen YMCA Director who dedicated his life to service within his community and the younger generation. This award is presented to one outstanding youth employee at each YMCA Branch and Child Care Services who demonstrate outstanding job performance and initiative, often going above and beyond basic requirements of their position to get the job done, according to information provided by the Y.
The award winners for 2019 are:
Holly Elliott is the recipient for Child Care Services. She began working at the Y in 2016 at the Edgar Child Care Center caring for the infants there and also works as an administrative assistant, all while maintaining a full-time undergraduate workload. She will attend Kean University in the fall to complete her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Emily Shemchuk is the recipient for the South Amboy branch. She joined the Y five years ago and is currently a School Age Child Care Program coordinator. She attends Brookdale Community College where she studies social work.
Caroline Rankin is the recipient for the Edison branch. She began working at the Y in 2016 on the Wellness Floor before moving to the Welcome Center as a Member Services representative and eventually transitioned to her current role as membership connector. She is pursuing a degree in public relations at Rutgers University.
Kaitlyn Prendergast is the recipient for the Metuchen branch. She has worked at the Metuchen Y since 2015 in many areas including School Age Child Care, Camp, Child Watch and birthday parties. She also volunteers with the Togetherhood Program and is a member of the Teen Leader’s Club. She is currently studying pediatric oncology at Felician University.
“Being a Malinowski Rising Star award recipient is a great honor,” Rose Cushing, president and CEO of the YMCA of MEWSA, said in the statement. “These individuals demonstrate a strong commitment to the Y and exemplify the YMCA core values of honesty, respect, caring and responsibility, and serve as positive role models for other youth. They can be very proud of themselves.”
For more information, visit www.ymcaofmewsa.org.