New Rochelle honors youth and community leaders at inaugural 'Champions of Change' awards

New Rochelle gathered for the inaugural Champions of Change awards ceremony, where youth and adult community leaders were recognized for service, arts and mentorship. The event, hosted by the New Rochelle Youth Bureau in partnership with the NAACP New Rochelle High School youth chapter, featured speeches by city and school officials, musical and poetry performances, and award presentations to several local students and longtime community workers.

"It is my honor to bring greetings to you on behalf of all of the administration, the staff, and more importantly, the students of the City School District of New Rochelle," said Corey Reynolds, superintendent of schools. Rejani Thomas, senior youth worker at the New Rochelle Youth Bureau, opened the program, calling it "my absolute pleasure to welcome you all to the first annual Champions of Change Awards." The program also included a performance of "Lift Every Voice and Sing" by the NRHS choir and an original poem by student Sarah Valerio.

Youth awards recognized students for leadership and creativity. Isaac Evans, a New Rochelle High School junior involved with the New Rochelle Council of Arts Youth Division, received a Champion of Change award for his work in poetry and creative media. Harmony Hopwood, introduced as a former Westchester County youth poet laureate and active member of local arts and civic groups, said, "This award is a city showing me and my fellow honorees that we can make change." Mason Smith, a senior active in entrepreneurship and youth leadership programs, was also honored.

Adult honorees included Nathaniel "Nate" Adams III, recognized for his work coordinating My Brother's Keeper and related initiatives that the program said engage over 350 students across the district; Denisha "Dee" Gordon, a New Rochelle High School teacher with 25 years in the classroom; Alprentice McCutchen, a history teacher and curriculum developer with an international teaching background; and Wayne Nelson, a longtime New Rochelle public‑works and school security team member with more than three decades of local service.

Speakers credited partnerships between youth leaders, schools and community organizations in supporting the honorees. McCutchen invoked historical educators in urging students to find their passions, while Nate Adams described youth work as "humbling" and thanked the young people who nominated him.

Organizers closed by asking students, volunteers and partners to join honorees at the front of the room for acknowledgement and invited attendees to refreshments. The event concluded with thanks to organizers, parents and the broader New Rochelle community; no formal government action or vote was part of the ceremony.