Births
John and Meredith Clair announce the birth of a son, Blakely Joseph Clair, November 18 at Mount Sinai Hospital. He weighed 9 pounds, 1 ounce. Blakely joins big brothers, Colby, 2, and Christian, 1.
Catch This Rising Star
Connor Antico, a junior at Rye High School, will be featured along with his vocal coach, Trapper Felides, on Oxygen Network’s “The Next Big Thing” in February. The 16 year old will also appear in two episodes of ABC’s “What Would You Do?” in 2012.
The talented teen has been busy singing, acting, and modeling in the tri-state area, having starred as Danny Zuko in Rye High School’s “Grease”, and Brett in the Random Farm Kids Theater’s production of “13, the Musical”. He was also a contender for Westchester Teen Idol in 2009. Keep it up, Connor!
Midnight Magic
Kudos to Tilemahos G. Koutsogeorgas, who successfully organized both a Midnight Run clothing drive and a Thanksgiving feast at Don Bosco in November. The Rye High School junior is in charge of the Greek Orthodox Youth of America’s outreach programs through the Greek Orthodox Church of Our Savior.
Koutsogeorgas and over 80 volunteers helped prepare meals on Thanksgiving Eve, and then served them up the next day in two shifts. The clothing drive was also a wild success, and Koutsogeorgas is planning another Midnight Run on Christmas Day!
Improving the Lives Of Others
Last month, Suzanne Clary was honored by the African-American Men’s Association of Westchester (AAMW) for her leadership as President of the Jay Heritage Center, and the work of her staff and board to expand educational programs and outreach, particular those that help with interpretation of the site as a member of the historic African-American Heritage Trail. She was one of three recipients of the Visionary Award, recognizing her “dedication, commitment, hard work, and good will to improve people’s lives in Westchester County.” Clary received commendations from Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, County Executive Robert Astorino, and County Board of Legislators Chairman Ken Jenkins.
Applauding the work of the AAMW as successful mentors to youth in our community, Clary quoted Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall: “None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps. We got here because somebody — a parent, a teacher — bent down and helped us pick up our boots.”
The Jay Center and AAMW, an all-volunteer non-profit organization, have partnered on a variety of programs, including “Stand Against Racism”. More recently, they’ve worked together on a family oral history and research project for students to document the lives of some of the first free black landowners and businessmen in Westchester, particularly Rye, Rye Neck, and Mamaroneck.
