Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. co-Founder Philip M. Eslick, a resident of Old Bethpage, recently announced 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,” 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 said the Kids Helping Kids organization had a great impact on his life.

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

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 Mr. John Chmela, chief operating officer of Millenium Auto Group, for the company’s support and sponsorship of the $3,500 Kids of Distinction scholarships.

The seven youngsters selected as “Kids of Distinction” for 2006 are Jordan Brustein, a sophomore at Jericho High School, Emmy Liss, a junior at Friends Academy and a Brookville resident, Ryan Gong, a senior at Syosset High School, Alanna Ticali, a sixth-grade student at Plainedge Middle School, Marc A. Magro, a seventh grade student at Hicksville Middle School, Kyle Essex, an eighth grade student at North Shore Middle School and Ashley Pereless, a junior at Hicksville High School.

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.

“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,” Supervisor 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.”