Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. co-Founder Philip M. Eslick are pleased to announce the winners of the "Kids of Distinction" Program, created last year to recognize exceptional youngsters in the Town of Oyster Bay.

The winners were selected by the organization Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc., which established a committee to judge applications.

"We have so many exceptional young people living in the town that I'm certain it wasn't easy selecting just a handful of recipients," Supervisor Venditto said. "I thank the committee for their hard work and dedication in designating these fine seven individuals."

The committee was comprised of a variety of individuals from various fields. Committee members included Robert F. Eslick, executive director, Kids Helping Kids; Dr. Martin Brooks, superintendent, Plainview-Old Bethpage School District; Mitchell S. Klipper, COO, Barnes & Noble; Steve Battino, Zeidman, Lackowitz, Prisand & Co., LLP; Paul Eberenz, Woodbury Country Deli; and Reed Mauser, a recent graduate of Yale University who says the Kids Helping Kids organization has had a great impact on his life.

"This program is very much geared toward recognizing activities done on a youngster's own initiative," Philip said. "We are recognizing kids who participate in activities for the benefit of their community of neighborhood, outside of school-related activities."

The seven youngsters selected as "Kids of Distinction" for 2006 include Alanna Ticali, a sixth grader at Plainedge Middle School and resident of North Massapequa; Marc A. Magro, a seventh grader at Hicksville Middle School; Kyle Essex, an eighth grader at North Shore Middle School and a resident of Sea Cliff; Jordan Brustein, a 10th grader at Jericho High School and resident of Brookville; Emmy Liss, an 11th grader at Friends Academy and a resident of Brookville; Ashley Pereless, an 11th grader at Hicksville High School; and Ryan Gong, a 12th grader at Syosset High School.

Hicksville Middle School seventh grader Marc A. Magro is greatly involved with helping children suffering from cancer and other illnesses. A cancer survivor himself, Marc sadly lost his brother Michael to leukemia when he was just in seventh grade. His family soon set up the Michael Magro Foundation, whose mission is to reduce financial hardship and help ease the emotional turmoil of children diagnosed with cancer.

Marc works with the Child Life Center at Winthrop Hospital's Pediatric Center and helps out with annual toy drives. He visits the children in the hospital and the outpatient center and brightens their days. Marc also helps the foundation board members decide on what is appropriate for the children of all different ages.

Continuing his efforts to help children diagnosed with cancer, Marc is helping to put together a cookbook as a fundraiser for the cancer center. While his dedication to raising money for cancer research is certainly important, even more important is his dedication and commitment to helping youngsters inflicted with the same battles he has faced.

Hicksville High School 11th grader Ashley Pereless has a life goal probably quite different from many 11th grade girls; she wants to travel to a third world country as part of the Peace Corps to help people in need. She hopes to one day go to Africa and help create awareness of the need for development in health, gender equity and economic development.

Ashley follows a motto stated by Gandhi: "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Her endeavors in life have always shown off her sensitivity and empathetic heart. This reflects her selfless nature, as Ashley has had many of her own difficulties in life.

She donated time at the Special Olympic New York Summer Games in 2004 and, in 1999, she assisted in leading a campaign to fly a sick young boy from Ghana into the United States for a life-saving operation. These types of efforts seem to come naturally to Ashley. As her recommendation letter stated, "in short, Ashley just gets it."

Winners were recognized during a special ceremony at the meeting of the Oyster Bay Town Board on May 23, at which time they were presented with a plaque and $500 scholarship from Kids Helping Kids. Kids Helping Kids Executive Director Robert F. Eslick would like to thank John Chmela, chief operating officer of Millenium Auto Group, for the company's support and sponsorship of the $3,500 Kids of Distinction scholarships.

"There are many young individuals who have contributed to the great quality of life we enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay. We felt it was important to recognize our young residents who involve themselves in voluntary community, charity or civic activities on their own individual initiative," Venditto said. "This provides a perfect opportunity for them to be recognized for their outstanding achievements. They will surely stand as role models for their peers."