Bucks students to be honored by National Liberty Museum at TD Bank Young Heroes Awards
The TD Bank Young Heroes Awards recognize students ages 18 and younger who make positive changes in their schools and communities.
[Aug. 21, 2020: Joseph Shavit]
The National Liberty Museum will honor 14 young heroes during a virtual awards ceremony on Sep. 12.
The TD Bank Young Heroes Awards recognize students ages 18 and younger who make positive changes in their schools and communities. One student will also be named the President's Honor Winner and will receive $2,000 in scholarships.
"We are proud to honor these young people for using their time, their talents and the needed resource to give selflessly to others, the very attributes of heroism that are ingrained in our museum's mission," said Gwen Borowsky, CEO of the National Liberty Museum.
This year's TD Bank Young Heroes were chosen from a pool of nominations from 11 states, including seven students from the Philadelphia region. Submissions were made by teachers, friends and community members who recognized the contributions of these students.
The projects created by the students this year sought to help vulnerable populations, with many focusing on empowering other students in the use of technology and addressing community needs during COVID-19.
Local nominees include:
Matthew Genatempo, 17, from Sellersville, who used his engineering and 3D printing skills to create personal protection equipment for community hospitals and front line workers in the Pennridge and Bucks County communities. He has distributed over 3,000 face shields.
Amy Liu, 16, from Warrington, who founded Get in Touch! to help integrate the visually impaired community into daily life. She has been raising money to distribute white canes as well as started a braille magazine that educates blind individuals on STEM topics.
Trinity Pryor, 16, from Yardley, who used her love for theater to develop a performance to raise awareness of local female veterans.
The Virtual Award Ceremony will take place on Sep. 12 at 1:30 p.m. Each winner will receive a special medal and certificate, and a plaque featuring the winners' stories will be displayed in the museum's Young Heroes Exhibit.
"TD Bank is honored to support this year's TD Bank Young Heroes Awards for the 20th year at the National Liberty Museum," said Pennsylvania Market President, Tom Shoemaker. "We greatly admire the National Liberty Museum's dedication to celebrating diversity, promoting respect and diffusing violence, qualities reflected in our own community philosophy."
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The TD Bank Young Heroes Award recognizes young people who have taken action to make positive social change in their schools and communities. Each year we look for young people who have championed liberty by engaging in civic activities; promoting respectful resolutions to conflict; advocating for diversity and inclusive environments for everyone; and taking leadership roles in their school or community.
All winners receive recognition at an awards ceremony at the National Liberty Museum. Their stories are featured for one year in a Museum exhibit. They receive a certificate of achievement, medallion, and other gifts. They may also have the opportunity to represent this program at future Museum events.
Additionally, one student is named the President’s Honor Winner, which includes a monetary prize. This year we also presented a student with our Spark Award for Innovation, Creativity, Perseverance and Respect, created in memory of Alan Holmes Johnson-McNutt, Manager of Outreach for the National Liberty Museum.
