On August 5, we were proud to honor Ashley Gbemudu, a recent graduate of Springfield Township High School as a TD Bank Young Hero in our award ceremony at the National Liberty Museum.

Ashley Gbemudu considers herself a normal teenager, but many around her call her a “citizen of the world” because of her compassion for others.

All throughout junior high school and high school, Ashley has been a great leader to her peers. She was voted class president in 8^th, 10^th, 11^th and 12^th grade. In addition to being class president, Ashley spent time as a peer tutor and student mentor.

She held the office of vice president for one year and president for three years of Springfield’s Youth in the Loop for Life, an organization that promotes awareness and supports youth with lupus, juvenile arthritis and juvenile diabetes.  This experience in working with Youth in the Loop inspired her to get involved with the Arthritis Foundation and the Tri-State Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America where she sponsored events to raise money and had the opportunity to attend the Lupus Symposium in Washington, DC.

Her involvement with Youth in the Loop for Life and the Lupus Foundation of America demonstrates her great concern and compassion for people with life threatening illnesses - characteristics that will help guide her in achieving the goals she sets for herself.

Her school counselor, Mary E. Soboleski, described her as “simply, a young woman who sees her life as a life of responsibility and takes her responsibilities seriously.” Her aunt, Sandra Clark explained that “Ashley’s sense of self as a citizen of the world is what inspires me the most.”

Ashley is currently Drexel University with the goal of becoming an oncologist. We wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors.  

Her local newspaper, the Springfield Sun featured her in a recent article.

Admin: B.Blumenthal

We were proud to honor Talib Coffield, a 10 year-old from South Philadelphia as a TD Bank Young Hero last month in our award ceremony at the National Liberty Museum.

Talib Coffield is an exceptional “friendship builder” who stands alone when it comes to meeting, helping or mediating new or current students.  What makes Talib’s skills so unique is his innate ability to recognize challenging situations among his student body. He is always the first student to help every classmate navigate the halls, classrooms or resolve any conflict between classmates.  

His teacher, Candace Kean, sang his praises when she stated that “when it comes to meeting or helping new students, or even mediating when friends argue, Talib stands alone in this field.” He goes out of his way to become friendly with newly admitted students and students who have been rejected by others, gladly inviting them into his circle. Before Talib, Kean had never seen any student come close to this type of relationship-building behavior in all of her years of teaching.

Talib not only caught our attention, but that of the South Philly Review, a community newspaper from South Philadelphia.

Congratulations to you and your family!

Admin: B.Blumenthal

The National Liberty Museum Young Heroes Award recognizes extraordinary, young people from across the area and the U.S. – from every sector of society – who make outstanding and selfless contributions to drive change from their local communities. On August 5, we were proud to recognize thirty-nine amazing youth leaders from the tri-state area.

The award, which is sponsored by TD Bank, is given to young people who make positive changes in their schools and communities through art and creative writing, leadership, volunteer work, political involvement or peer mediation.

Ron Matthew, Greater Philadelphia Market President of TD Bank, says: “These young leaders dedicate their energies to bettering the lives of others; they do not do it for financial award or publicity: they do it to make a difference.”

Receiving the Young Heroes Award empowers young people to improve the society we live in and gives them public recognition for the valuable work they do.  Each year, the event has grown to honor hundreds of outstanding students, under age 18, who are creating change through a variety of uplifting activities.

Our winner this year, Deana Vega, a remarkable 11-year-old cancer survivor who is dedicated to improving the lives of those around her, received a $1000 grand prize and a laptop computer. All winners received recognition at the Young Heroes Awards Ceremony at the National Liberty Museum; a certificate of recognition, medallion and gifts; a plaque featuring their story in the Museum’s Young Heroes Exhibit and a wonderful accomplishment to include on college and job applications.

The 2010 Young Heroes have received some outstanding press including:

Philadelphia Inquirer

Channel 6 ABC in Philadelphia

KYW Newsradio 1060 in Philadelphia

Philadelphia Tribune

Courier-Post Online

NJ.com

Admin: B Blumenthal