2026 Oneida County Youth & Adult Winners

19 Youth & 6 Adults Honored for Community Contributions

Nineteen youth and six adults were honored today for their positive impact in the community at the 7th Annual Oneida County Youth & Adult Award recognition ceremony.

Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. and Youth Bureau Director Kevin Green presented the awards to the recipients at a breakfast ceremony at Hart’s Hill Inn in Whitesboro.

“The exceptional qualities possessed by these honorees are something that all members of our community should strive to emulate,” Picente said. “This annual awards ceremony demonstrates that the future of Oneida County is in good hands with outstanding youth who are being guided by equally outstanding adults.”

The event is sponsored annually by the Friends of The Oneida County Youth Bureau. The winners were anonymously selected by a reading committee comprised of Oneida County Youth Advisory Board members. The honorees were nominated by various school districts and community youth-serving agencies.

The 2026 award winners are:

·         Distinguished Youth Volunteer Award (Youth)

o   Margarita Silchuk (Whitesboro)

o   Logan Shedd (Notre Dame)

o   Marlee Winfield (New Hartford)

o   Alyssa Capuana (Notre Dame)

o   Austin LaFond (New Hartford)

·         Spirit of Success Youth Award (Youth)

o   NyAshia Linen (Proctor)

·         Commitment to Military Service Award (Youth)

o   Brody Barlow (VVS)  

o   Scott Yourdon (Notre Dame)

o   Alexandria French (New Hartford)

o   Shea Williams (Notre Dame)

o   Nevaeh Kimble (New York Mills)

o   Jaiden Lovett (Proctor)

o   Thomas Carville (Notre Dame)

·         Positive Change Leading to Success Youth Award (Youth)

o   Mariam Mahmoud (Proctor/ICAN)  

·         Exceptional Youth Leadership Award (Youth)

o   Broc Barker (Sauquoit Valley)

o   Edward Wright (Oriskany)

o   Ella Trinkaus (Notre Dame)

o   Braelyn Oehler (Oriskany)

o   Mia Shofany (Notre Dame)

·         Distinguished Youth Employee Award (Adult)

o   Lisa Herbowy (Oneida County Probation)

o   Dave George (Catholic Charities)

o   John DePerno (Notre Dame)

·         Rising Star in Youth Services (Adult)

o   Taylor McNamara (Cornell Cooperative Extension)

o   Taylor Shepard (Oriskany) 

·         Connecting Our Community Award (Adult)

o   Dr. Brian K. Bellair (Whitesboro)

“We have so many positive stories that highlight our amazing youth and adults working in youth services here within Oneida County,” Green said. “I’m proud that this event continues to grow and to unite community-minded youth and adults by spotlighting their extraordinary qualities.”