Ten Louisville teens recognized with leadership awards scholarships

The 2017 Teen Leadership Awards go to 10 outstanding young people for their dedication to volunteering in the community, sportsmanship, and BBYO participation.

“The awards are really important because they show all the hard work [the teens] do for the Jewish community,” said Teen Director Kari Semel.

The Ellen Faye Garmon Award recognizes teens whose work in BBYO strengthens and grows the organization. Andrew Tuvlin, a DuPont Manual High School junior, works with BBYO, the Beta Club, Peer Mentoring, and as Drew Corson AZA’s Chapter President; and volunteers to better Louisville’s Jewish community.

Carly Schwartz, Ballard High School sophomore, is the soprano section leader of the Madrigal Choir. She plays soccer, and works with BBYO, Beta Club, Math Honors Society, Backside Learning Center’s Tutoring Program, and is Jay Levine BBG’s morah.

The Joseph Fink BBYO Community Service Scholarship recognizes a dedicated high school senior for commitment to community service throughout Louisville, while being deeply invested in BBYO for all four years of high school. Hunter Borowick, a Walden School senior, has done extensive work with BBYO, ECHO (Exploited Children’s Help Organization), Shirley’s Way, Rock for Kosair, U of L Musical Therapy, National Honor Society, Key Club, Environmental Club, KUNA, and Bowling Team.

The Stuart Pressma Student Leadership Development Award recognizes incoming and outgoing seniors for their devotion to BBYO. Max Strull, a Kentucky Country Day junior, has been gizbor and moreh in BBYO, a KCD Reach Out Days participant, and is mazkir and gizbor for the Kentucky-Indiana- Ohio region (KIO). Abigail Geller, a North Oldham High School junior, has had several BBYO chapter board roles. She served two terms as Jay Levine BBG’s gizborit. She plays field hockey and participates in Beta Club and the National Art Honor Society. Laina Meyerowitz, a Ballard High School senior, works with Beta Club, Ballard Spanish Club, and has had several regional and local BBYO positions, including a recent year-long term as KIO n’siah. Charles Bessen, a Louisville Collegiate senior, works with his student government, volunteers at the VA Hospital and Beber Summer Camp, and just completed a year-long term as KIO regional shaliach.

The Tony Levitan Awards recognize remarkable senior athletes’ demonstration of character and leadership. Gabe Sherman, a Kentucky Country Day senior and avid baseball and basketball player, works with KCD’s Community Service Club. He volunteers at Gilda’s Club and Atria Senior Living. Marnina Goldberg, a Ballard High School senior, football manager, swimmer and field hockey player, is a member of Hebrew Club, Beta Club, and does peer-tutoring for special needs students.

The Stacy Marks Nisenbaum Award recognizes a teen BBYO leader whose work to strengthen and grow BBYO is unprecedented, but is also engaged in his or her school and community. Jacob Ioffe, a DuPont Manual High School sophomore, is a golfer, and football and tennis player. He serves as the Drew Corson’s AZA’s moreh, is in the National Honors Society, Technology Student Association, and volunteers at the Kentucky Lions Eye Clinic, Shalom Towers, and Jewish Family & Career Services.

“It was very hard to pick the candidates for the awards,” Semel said. “There are so many teens in our community whose activities are both extraordinary and varied.”