Celebrating Student Leaders: How Community Service Is Shaping the Next Generation
At Cmtyhelp, we believe that the future of our communities depends on the next generation of leaders. That is why we are proud to recognize students who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to service, leadership, and making a positive impact in the lives of others.
This year, we are honored to congratulate our scholarship recipients:
• Kalea Tom, recipient of the $1,000 High School Community Service Leadership Scholarship
• Sara Zuppardi, recipient of the $700 High School Social Impact Excellence Scholarship
• Emmanuel Olusanya, recipient of the $250 High School Changemaker Scholarship
• Jack Piccolo, recipient of the $500 Middle School Youth Impact Scholarship
• Lila Leiva, recipient of the $250 Middle School Future Leaders in Service Scholarship
These remarkable students have shown that community service is about more than volunteering hours. It is about developing character, building relationships, and learning how to make a meaningful difference in the world around them.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Rev. Fr. Arthur Mastrolia and the parishioners of the Church of St. Clare in Staten Island for generously sponsoring these scholarships. Their support is helping invest in young leaders who will continue to strengthen our communities for years to come.
Why Soft Skills Matter More Than Ever
As technology and artificial intelligence continue to transform the world, one thing remains clear: human connection matters.
We asked several of our scholarship recipients why they believe soft skills are so important today.
For Kalea Tom, soft skills are essential for building relationships and connecting with people. As she prepares for a career that involves working closely with patients, she understands that empathy, communication, and compassion are just as important as technical knowledge. The ability to listen, understand, and support others can have a lasting impact on someone’s life.
Emmanuel Olusanya believes soft skills go beyond the workplace. While teamwork and communication are valuable in any profession, they are equally important for becoming an active member of a community. Through volunteering and working alongside others, young people learn cooperation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that help them succeed in all aspects of life.
For Sara Zuppardi, leadership is one of the most important soft skills a person can develop. She believes that strong leaders inspire others, contribute to their communities, and help create positive change. Soft skills not only help individuals achieve personal success but also enable them to become better citizens and role models.
Their message is simple: success is not just about what you know. It is also about how you work with others, communicate, lead, and contribute to the world around you.
Volunteer Experiences That Made a Difference
Every volunteer experience teaches valuable lessons, but some leave a lasting impression.
For Kalea, one of her most memorable experiences was volunteering at her local library in New York. She spent time helping children with arts and crafts activities, organizing books, and assisting visitors in finding resources. Through her service, she gained an even greater appreciation for libraries as places that inspire learning, creativity, and a love of reading among young people.
Emmanuel’s most memorable experience was participating in environmental stewardship projects. Working alongside fellow volunteers to help keep the environment clean showed him the power of teamwork and collective action. For him, protecting the environment is not just about today. It is about creating a healthier future for generations to come.
Sara’s favorite volunteer experience has been helping with Religious Education and CCD classes. By supporting teachers and mentoring younger students, she has had the opportunity to make a positive impact on children in her community. The experience taught her the value of patience, service, and helping others learn and grow.
Building Stronger Communities Together
Although each student’s journey is unique, they all share a common belief: serving others helps build stronger communities and stronger individuals.
Through community service, young people develop confidence, leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and a deeper understanding of the challenges facing their communities. These experiences help prepare them not only for future careers but also for lives of purpose and impact.
At Cmtyhelp, our mission is to help young people develop these essential soft skills through meaningful community service opportunities while strengthening the connection between youth, local communities, nonprofits, and local businesses.
When communities invest in young people, everyone benefits.
Congratulations once again to all of our scholarship recipients. Your dedication to service is inspiring, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact you will continue to make in your schools, communities, and beyond.
2025 Cmtyhelp Scholarship Winners!
Here are the winners of the Cmtyhelp 2025 scholarships
Highschool
1) Nicholas Nigro-1000$( Community Service scholarship)
2)Jenna Ruiz-700$(Social Impact scholarship)
3)Glenda Peraj-250$(Game changer scholarship)
Middle school
1) Nicholas Amore-500$(Youth Impact scholarship )
2) Orion Peraj -250$(Future Leader in service scholarship)
2024 Cmtyhelp Scholarship Winner!
About Jessica Yani
Jessica Yani is a senior at Susan E. Wagner High School in Staten Island. She has completed over 350 service hours, received strong recommendations from her teachers, and wrote a thoughtful 500-word essay about her social impact and future goals while applying for the $2,500 Cmtyhelp Scholarship for 2024.
Her volunteer work has been a key part of shaping her character, teaching her patience, perseverance, and the importance of human connection. As she applied to various colleges in New York, including Columbia, Barnard, CSI, and Hunter, she realized that schools value students who show initiative, empathy, and a real commitment to their communities. Through her service, Jessica highlighted her dedication to helping others, strengthening her college applications and making her a more well-rounded candidate.
The Cmtyhelp app made it easy for Jessica to apply for the scholarship, which was awarded based on her service hours. She was pleasantly surprised to learn that she had won, as she never expected her efforts to help others would lead to such a rewarding outcome. The $2,500 scholarship has been a great support in her pursuit of medical school, easing some of the financial burdens of higher education.
For Jessica, community service has given her more than she expected—it has shaped her goals, enhanced her college applications, and strengthened her commitment to making a positive impact in the world.