Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto and Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc. Founder Robert Eslick congratulated the winners of the Kids of Distinction Program at a special ceremony during a recent meeting of the Oyster Bay Town Board. The program was created this year as a way to recognize exceptional youngsters in the Town of Oyster Bay. Winners were selected by Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc., which established a seven-member committee to judge applications.

"The committee worked very hard to weed through the many nomination forms that came from all over the Town of Oyster Bay. We have so many exceptional young people living in the Town that I'm certain it wasn't easy selecting just six recipients," Venditto said.

The committee, comprised of individuals from various fields, included Robert Eslick, Executive Director, Kids Helping Kids; Dr. Martin Brooks, Superintendent, Plainview-Old Bethpage School District; Mitchell S. Klipper, COO, Barnes & Noble; Rhonda Samuels, President, Long Island Board of Managers, Cancer Care; Steve Battino, Zeidman, Lackowitz, Prisand & Co., LLP; Paul Eberenz, Woodbury Country Deli, and Reed Mauser, a cancer survivor and recent graduate of Yale University who says the Kids Helping Kids organization has had a great impact on his life.

"This program was very much geared toward recognizing activities done on a youngster's own initiative," Robert AJ Eslick said. "We wanted to recognize kids who participated in activities for the benefit of their community or neighborhood, outside of school-related activities."

In addition to receiving town citations, winners were presented with plaques from Kids Helping Kids by Kids Way, Inc., as well as a $500 scholarship courtesy of the organization. Kids Helping Kids thanks Anthony Gulino of Laser Industries Inc. for funding the "Kids of Distinction" scholarships. They also thank and acknowledge Reed Mauser, who presented the plaques and scholarships on behalf of Kids Helping Kids at the ceremony, for supporting the program and the organization.

The six youngsters selected as "Kids of Distinction" for 2005 are:

Jennifer Zwilling - 9th Grade Student, Jericho High School

Over the past three years, Jennifer Zwilling has volunteered hundreds of hours to the national and Long Island Chapters of the Tourette Syndrome Association. She has educated not only her peers about this disorder, but also teachers and support staff in schools as far away as Virginia. Her goal is to enlighten her generation about Tourette Syndrome, to increase knowledge and acceptance of this widely misunderstood neurological condition and to educate her peers about acceptance of all differences.

Jennifer was recently one of four TSA "Youth Ambassadors" who spoke to US senators and congressmen in Washington to advocate for funding as well as a bill that will include TS in IDEA (Individuals' Disability Act) OHI (Other Health Impaired) classification.

Jennifer is active in many school related activities as well and always exhibits her maturity, articulation and determination. Her initiative is remarkable for a young girl her age and she is an exemplary role model for kids and adults alike.

Lindsay Brustein - 12th Grade Student, Jericho High School

Lindsay Brustein has also chosen to get involved beyond the classroom walls. She is extremely committed to various community service activities, including peer tutoring.

Lindsay works as a teaching intern at the Center for Gifted Youth at Long Island University. She is very mature for her age and works well with gifted students. She is described as a wonderful asset to the class; she individualized and differentiated her technique with each child as she helped the students understand various mathematical strategies.

Lindsay volunteers at the AHRC Nassau Chapter and brings a true sense of caring and joy to the children, who look forward to her arrival each week at the Saturday Recreation Program. She also coordinated a very successful food drive for over 100 AHRC families in need, assuring a Thanksgiving meal for each.

Elora Dannon Rosch - 8th Grade Student, Howitt Middle School, Farmingdale

Elora Dannon Rosch has many accomplishments to speak of despite her young age. A highly skilled vocalist, she has volunteered her time performing and singing for various organizations and groups, including performances at the annual tree lighting ceremony at EAB Plaza and during a Long Island Ducks' baseball game.

This past summer, Elora unfortunately became ill and was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, an illness which attacks the inside lining of the small intestine. Knowing little about the disease, she was forced to educate herself about the disease and found that there was little information available. Hoping to make others aware of Celiac Disease, even after she was free of it, Elora decided to help educate others as part of her work toward earning her Silver Medal Award with her Hardscrabble Girl Scout Cadette Troop. She designed a pamphlet about the effects Celiac Disease has on children, helping to spread the word about the illness to others.

This summer Elora plans to volunteer at "A Hole in the Wall Camp" founded by Paul Newman and Charles R. Wood in upstate New York, a camp for children with serious illnesses and life threatening diseases.

Stephanie Gillam - 5th Grade Student, Birch Lane Elementary School, Massapequa

Stephanie Gillam must have a heart of gold thanks to her deep passion for caring about others. Although only in fifth grade, she has already done more volunteer and community service than many others will have done in their lifetime.

Stephanie enjoys visits to the Parkland Nursing Home in Massapequa and helps the senior residents there play bingo and she serves refreshments. She also volunteers to collect and package food for the less fortunate at food drives. In addition, Stephanie assists in the set up and clean up at the senior citizens' luncheon and even plays Bunko with the residents. She also helps at the Christmas Fair. Whenever help is needed, Stephanie can be counted on.

Through Girl Scout Junior Troops 2150 and 2084, Stephanie was involved in community service projects such as helping two needy families in Massapequa by making two Thanksgiving baskets, making Valentine placemats for homebound elderly in the community and by making cards for veterans at Northport Hospital. Stephanie certainly has a right to take great pride in bringing happiness to others.

Lauren Ziesig - 5th Grade Student, Lee Avenue School, Hicksville

Lauren Ziesig sees her environment as a precious gift and helps to keep it clean and safe. Lauren, together with Junior Girl Scout Troop 3250, has helped to clean up Geise Park, Cantiague Park and the Triangle Park in Hicksville so that they can be enjoyed by other children, as well as all members of the community.

Another of Lauren's passions is respect for all human beings. She has enthusiastically visited senior citizen homes in the community and helped spread cheer by singing for the residents during the holidays. Lauren participated in the program "Gift of Caring," in which she encouraged community members to purchase a box of Girl Scout cookies that would be given to families in need.

Lauren has also helped care for young children by reading to them and feeding them healthy snacks. She also works with Brownies to help them reach their goal in becoming Junior Girl Scouts. She has received numerous Girl Scout awards and recognitions, as well as other accolades for all of her good work.

Lauren Victory - 10th Grade Student, Oyster Bay High School

Lauren Victory has helped numerous people through service and plans to continue volunteering as long as she lives.

In the fall of 2003 she organized and conducted an eyeglass drive for the needy, determined to give people the gift of sight. After reaching out to local opticians, eyeglass stores, her local parish and schools, she collected almost 100 pairs of glasses and was told by the local Lion's Club president that they had never received that many in one year, let alone in three short months. Thanks to the many hours she spent coordinating the drive, making and distributing fliers, making and decorating donation boxes, she gave many people the gift of sight.

Lauren is currently working with an autistic boy at Vernon Middle School and helps him approach and interact with classmates. This is a voluntary assignment, not a requirement. Lauren has also been a member of St. Dominic's Youth Choir for 11 years. Currently the oldest member, she leads the younger members through example and is often called upon to be the lector of readings during Mass.

"There are many young individuals who have contributed to the great quality of life we enjoy here in the Town of Oyster Bay," Supervisor Venditto said. "We believe it is important to recognize our young residents who involve themselves in voluntary community, charity or civic activities on their own individual initiative. They certainly stand out as role models for their peers."