There were no Clinton or Trump signs at the Princeton YMCA’s Centennial Awards. Just ubiquitous buttons reading “Zoe for President.” Mind you, Zoe isn’t on any ballot; she’s not even a real person: she is the Y’s every-toddler, the future leaders in every community who need support to reach their potential.
Children were the focus at the annual awards ceremony, inaugurated during the Princeton Y’s 100th year in 2008, that recognizes “remarkable individuals in our community who demonstrate outstanding commitment to helping kids gain the skills and confidence they need to reach their potential, from birth to president (or astronaut or doctor or playwright) and beyond.”
This year’s honorees were Robert O. Carr, founder, Give Something Back Foundation; Thomas J. Espenshade, sociologist and researcher, Princeton University; Toni Forbes, mentor and advocate for Y Scholars and other youth programs; Lenora Keel, social worker, Princeton High School; Joanne Parker, youth group leader, First Baptist Church; and Princeton Special Sports, a volunteer-driven nonprofit that provides children with opportunities to play sports in an environment tailored to their special needs and abilities.
