By John Tredrea, Special Writer
Hopewell Township’s Youth Advisory Board members, who will graduate from Hopewell Valley Central High School next week, were honored by the Township Committee Monday night.
The YAB is composed of Central High students and is mentored by township resident Kim Bruno. The group advises the Valley’s three local governments and the regional school district on issues affecting youth.
The YAB was a key player in the recent opening of the Youth Activity Center, also known as the “teen center,” at 62 S. Main St., Pennington, in the YMCA’s Valley headquarters.
”They really have done an amazing job,” Ms. Bruno said of the students honored Monday night.
”Over the three to four years they have been on the Youth Advisory Board, they have volunteered 150-200 hours. It’s quite remarkable!”
As is well known, young people can be much more savvy than their elders in how to use computers and other digital equipment. The YAB has helped local seniors deal with that kind of gear.
”In addition to researching, fundraising and creating the teen center, this group also worked with the Senior Citizen Advisory Board and started some new traditions/events in Hopewell Valley, “ Ms. Bruno said.
The “Swing into Spring” is a dance planned and hosted by high school students for senior citizens.
This year, the group created the Tech Time program, held at the Hopewell Township branch of the Mercer County library. Teens help seniors with their technology questions and needs. The seniors bring in laptops, Ipads, digital cameras and the teens help the seniors download photos, learn about applications on Ipads, and have even helped clean up files. It’s a nice role reversal . . . teens teaching seniors.”
At Monday’s meeting, township Mayor Jim Burd quipped that the six senior class members are “soon to retire” from the YAB, due to their impending graduation. “Thanks very much for the fine work you’ve done,” the mayor said.
The six senior members of the YAB are Nicole Pashley, Julia Rockey, Natalie Santos, Kelly MacDonald, Chad Rew and Ryan Rew.
Ms. Pashley has been on the YAB for all four years of her high school career. She was actively involved with the research and creation of the teen center. She also was very involved with Swing into Spring and continues to work with the senior citizens with the Tech Time project. She is vice chairwoman of the YAB.
Ms. Rockey also has been a member for all four years. She was involved with the research and creation of the teen center, including community presentations to local governments and the school board. She also participated in Swing into Spring.
Ms. Santos has been a member for three years and is chairwoman this year. She was active with the community presentations for the teen center and Swing into Spring. She also has continued to work with the senior citizens in the Tech Time project launched this year.
Ms. MacDonald has been a member for three years and is secretary of the YAB. She was active in the creation of the teen center and Swing into Spring. She also served as one of liaisons this year with the Senior Citizens Advisory Board.
Chad Rew joined this year and was involved with the transition of the space at the YMCA into the teen center. He was instrumental in the Martin Luther King day of service, moving out supplies and kindergarten furniture, painting and assembling new furniture for the teen center.
Ryan Rew joined this year. He was involved with the transition of the space at the YMCA to the teen center. He helped to remove the kindergarten supplies, painted, assembled furniture and picked up and assembled the Ping-Pong table.
