Westchester Soccer Club Honors 9 Westchester Youth Service Award Recipients

MOUNT VERNON, NY — A special halftime ceremony honored teens who are making a difference in all our lives,

Nine Westchester County student leaders were recognized at Memorial Field in Mount Vernon during a halftime ceremony at the match between the Westchester Soccer Club and the New York Cosmos. The students had previously received the Westchester County Youth Bureau and Youth Board Annual Youth Service Award.

The event brought the honorees together with Westchester Deputy County Executive Joan McDonald, representatives from the soccer club and the team mascot, Hutch. The Youth Service Award recognizes 11th and 12th grade students living in Westchester County who have shown commitment to others through volunteerism and leadership, and the award is given each year by the Westchester County Youth Bureau and Youth Board.

McDonald said the county supports youth sports through Youth Bureau funding.

"Westchester County, through funding administered by the WCYB, is deeply invested in youth sports," McDonald said. "We support programs to the tune of $1.17 million that provide a variety of sports/physical fitness opportunities for a broad range of youth up to 18 years of age, in under-resourced communities. We have 49 programs in communities like Mount Vernon, New Rochelle, Peekskill, White Plains, Port Chester and others. We thank the Westchester Soccer Club for being a terrific community partner and bringing it all together –the excitement generated by the World Cup, the chance to recognize exemplary youth leaders and the opportunity to cheer on Westchester’s home soccer team to victory.”

Westchester County Youth Bureau Executive Director Ernest McFadden said the club’s role fit with the values behind the award.

"The Westchester Soccer Club exemplifies the power of sports to unite communities, inspire young people and build character, which was on full display during the recent 2026 FIFA tournament," McFadden said. "We are deeply grateful to the Club for recognizing the Westchester County Youth Bureau and Youth Board class of 2024 and 2025 Youth Service honorees, who have demonstrated exemplary commitment to others through volunteerism and leadership. Today, we celebrate not only their remarkable achievements, but also our shared commitment to creating opportunities that empower every young person to thrive—both on and off the field."

Youth Service Award recipient Aiden Mendez also spoke about the recognition.

"Recognizing everyday students for extending a helping hand to their community is always great," Mendez explained, "Reminding youth of where they come from is always the most important part of development."