May 27, 2026 3 min read

The UPMC Washington Teen Outreach will hold its 24th annual Community Awards Night at 6 p.m. Thursday at Washington Park Elementary School, 801 W. Wheeling Street, Washington. The public is invited.

The event recognizes individuals, community agencies and businesses that have provided extraordinary support in the past year to the Teen Outreach mission to young people. Graduate Peer Educators are also recognized. All the awardees demonstrate exceptional commitment to youth.

Awardees are:

Agency Award: LeMoyne Community Center, accepted by Teresa Burroughs, for outstanding support for young people in the community.

Alumni Award: RJ Susko, former Peer Educator, whose service to Teen Outreach is outstanding and exemplary.

Business Award: Scarlet Roses Flower Shop for providing education and beauty to teens at Common Ground Teen Center.

Community Award: Kelley Swift of CASA for Kids, for leading the way to prioritizing the needs of children and young people.

Educator Award: Dr. Caylin Charrie, Education Department Chair, Washington & Jefferson College, for preparing outstanding new teachers.

Fellowship Award: Johnny McDaniels, former peer educator for modeling acceptance, kindness and compassion.

Inclusion Award: Washington Community Theater, for providing an excellent and joyful community learning experience for young people.

Peer Educator Award: Graduating Peer Educators and Common Ground Teen Center Staff, including Logan Hollowood, Irre Sickman, and Car’Liyah Walden for dedication, commitment, and service to their peers.

Power Award: Nadia Uhall, Guidance Counselor, California School District, for supporting and empowering teens in the community.

President’s Award: Susanna Halas, Education Department Support Specialist, W&J College, for providing unfailing support for Dr. Mary Jo Podgurski’s efforts at the college.

Presidents’ Award: Monique Jackson, Executive Director, and Bethany Hemingway, Senior Program Officer, Staunton Farm Foundation, for supporting mental health education efforts.

School Administrator Award: Alisa King, Superintendent, Washington School District, for supporting Teen Outreach programs, especially the ELECT Program.

Service Award: Stacy Till, Washington Bar Association, for support of in-school programs for mental health and respect online.

Spirit Award: Jim Skroupa, education student at W&J College, for supporting and tutoring teens at the Common Ground Teen Center.

Youth Achievement Awards: The following peer educators, teen staff, or members of the Common Ground Teen Center Executive Board will be acknowledged for their commitment and achievement – Amaris Chaney, Malekaih Cockrell, Moshe Dale, Greta Fulton, Daveon Green, Mason Hankins, Ryan Hester, Adele Hollowood, Isaiah Hollowood, Da’Shya Jackson, Kaidon Mowery, Ele Sickman, Cece Wright, and Myla Young.

Youth Advocate Award: Jessica Branagan and Jacqueline Jaroszynski, guidance counselors, Washington School District for empowering children and young people and advocating for them to live their best lives.

Volunteer Award: Heath Hollowood, for supporting the Washington’s Got Talent fundraiser.