Lawrence residents Abby Whitlow and Matt Boyd hold their Buck Leadership Award plaques during a Princeton Family YMCA’s Discovery and M.V.P. Sports camps’ community session on August 16, 2013.
Princeton YMCA awarded Lawrence residents Abby Whitlow and Matt Boyd the Buck Leadership award on August 16.
YMCA presents the award in honor of the late Alexander K. Buck, a longtime Princeton resident and former trustee and supporter of the YMCA and its mission. The award is presented annually to two camp counselors who exemplify Buck’s leadership qualities, character and passions.
Characteristics include demonstrating the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility and being “a good friend to all.”
Whitlow has worked for the Princeton Family YMCA since October 2008. Her first role was a swim instructor; later, she became a lifeguard. During the summer of 2010, Whitlow switched from the aquatics department to work with the MVP Sports summer camp.
As a head counselor of the MVP group, she was instrumental in creating a fun and supportive environment for campers. This summer she became part of the Discovery Camp activity staff. Her dedication to helping others and bringing out the most of everyone she encounters embodies the true meaning of a camp counselor.
Whitlow graduated from West Windsor-Plainsboro High School and earned a certification from the National Personal Training Institute.
Boyd has been part of the YMCA after school and camp programs for the last three years. His experience and education as a certified teacher led to a quality program for its participants. Two campers in his leadership program received the New Jersey YMCA State Alliance Volunteer of the Year award for the Princeton YMCA in 2012.
For the last two summers, Matt has put his curriculum and classroom skills to work as the coordinator and head counselor of the summer specialty camps.
Boyd earned a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social studies and education from the College of New Jersey.
More information is online at princetonymca.org
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