The Westchester County Youth Board presented the 2024 Rosemarie Siragusa Award to three dedicated advocates for youth who have helped to improve the lives of children, youth, and families in Westchester County. Those recognized were Roseanne Aresty, Amy Auld-Owens, M.S. Ed., and Terry A. Joyner who were selected by their peers for their tireless volunteer efforts and embodiment of what the Rosemarie Siragusa Award was intended to represent.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer said: “Mrs. Siragusa understood the value of creating a community of caring, civically engaged youth. These honorees who tirelessly dedicate their time and efforts towards the enrichment of our young people and future is what this award is all about, helping to keep the legacy of Rosemarie Siragusa alive.”

 Aresty is a long-time volunteer with Yonkers Partners in Education, helping underrepresented and under-resourced students apply to and prepare for college admission and success. Auld-Owens spearheads various initiatives for youth in her memberships in the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority and Jack & Jill of America, including raising money for scholarships, and partnering with schools for leadership workshops and community service activities. Joyner supports youth in her roles in the Links, Inc. and G.O.O.D. for Girls. She has conducted collections of coats, books, and school supplies, and has coordinated a reading program at a family shelter. In 2023, she put her career on hold to adopt a baby girl born to teen parents to provide her with a loving home.

 Westchester County Youth Board Chairperson Dr. Alexandria Connally said: “As a member of the Westchester and East Putnam Regional PTSA and the current Chair of the Westchester County Youth Board, I am pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Rosemarie Siragusa Youth Service Award. Rosemarie Siragusa was a remarkable advocate for young people throughout Westchester County. The 2024 recipients embody the passion, advocacy, and much-needed support in Westchester County.”

The Rosemarie Siragusa Award is given in memory of Rosemarie Siragusa, the founder and first chairperson of the Westchester County Youth Board. Ms. Siragusa, who dedicated her life to helping children, served on the PTA at the local, county, and state levels until she became the President of the Yonkers Council of PTAs. Desiring to serve in a greater capacity, she became a trustee and an officer of the Yonkers Board of Education.

 This award is presented to adult advocates for youth who have embodied the work of Rosemarie Siragusa and her commitment to serving youth and their families in Westchester County.

Rosanne Aresty has been working in college access since 2016 in various capacities. Since 2018, she has worked/volunteered with Yonkers Partnership in Education (YPIE) as a college advisor and coach. YPIE works with students to ensure they are ready for, enroll in, and complete college. Ms. Aresty has grown from working with one student to now serving a whole school as a de facto college counselor and coaching other volunteers. Her knowledge of the college access process and her willingness to devote significant time to volunteering resulted in her being assigned her own caseload of high school juniors each spring. She has been an in-house college advisor at the Charter School of Education (CSEE) in Yonkers. She is responsible for shepherding her students through the entire college process, including the application process, providing students and families an overview of the process, developing their college lists, scholarships and financial aid information, and much more. Her volunteer work focuses on first-generation, economically challenged students from underrepresented minorities.

Ms. Aresty is a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in School Counseling from CUNY Lehman College School of Education, Class of 2025. Ms. Aresty, her husband, and three daughters have been long-time Mamaroneck residents.