Newmarket students recognized for giving back to community

'These students spent most of their high school years in lockdown, yet they still collectively volunteered over 6,200 hours,' says Neighbourhood Network manager of the 20 Give Back Award recipients

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1 / 1 Christina Wang receives her Give Back award with Erin Cerenzia. Elizabeth Keith/NewmarketToday

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Newmarket students were among 20 young people from York Region recognized for their community contributions with Give Back awards from Neighbourhood Network.

Graduating high school students applied for the award and $1,000 scholarship that accompanies it based on their volunteer work. A panel of judges anonymously chose the winners, who were recognized at a special ceremony last night at Magna headquarters in Aurora.

Christina Wang of Newmarket was one of the award recipients. The Sacred Heart Catholic High School student has helped the homeless population by organizing drives for food and personal care items at her school.

During COVID-19, she also co-founded a not-for-profit app called Volunreach that connects students around the world with volunteers who can help them learn math and English.

She said the app really changed her perspective on volunteering as previously she thought it had to be in person to make an impact. Discovering that really helped her during the pandemic.

“During those difficult situations I was able to find more than one solution,” Wang said.

Coming from a lower income family and understanding the services that exist has helped Wang want to give back, she said. She also finds inspiration with her grandfather.

“I look at my Grandpa and I turn to him. He has many health conditions and issues and seeing how the hospital staff have taken care of him both in and outside the hospital, that really helped me,” she said.

Wang plans to study business in university and is currently deciding between schools.

She said it was an honour to receive a Give Back Award.

"It feels amazing to receive it. To see all my efforts have been recognized,” she said. “Also to meet all the other students, that’s personally my favourite part to see everyone else and see what they’ve done for their community. It’s a great experience.”

Another one of the recipients is Newmarket's Emily Faingold. Along with her family and their church, she helps host a spaghetti dinner at the Newmarket Community Centre every month. She also teaches synchronized swimming, delivers food for the Newmarket Food Pantry, helps at her camp, and assists with Sunday School.

"I feel like I’ve done a lot for the community, so it’s nice,” she said about receiving the award.

Faingold is graduating from Newmarket High School this year and will be going to Brock University for sports management.

“The Give Back Awards are all about celebrating the inspirational ways that local graduates donate their time to help others,” says Erin Cerenzia, manager of community relations at Neighbourhood Network. “These students spent most of their high school years in lockdown, yet they still collectively volunteered over 6,200 hours. It’s a true testament to each recipient’s character and commitment to building better communities."

The following 20 youth received Give Back awards this year: