More than 100 campers at the Princeton Family YMCA’s Discovery Camp and M.V.P. Sports Camp joined together for the presentation of the Alexander K. Buck Leadership Award Aug. 15.
Pennington resident Jonathan Govantes and Crystal Abbott of Trenton received the fourth annual award.
The award is presented annually to two camp counselors, one young man and one young woman, who best exemplify the leadership qualities, character and passions of the late Alexander “Whip” K. Buck, a longtime Princeton resident and former trustee and supporter of the YMCA and its mission.
Buck Award honorees demonstrate the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility; show humility and kindness to others in actions, words and deeds; serve as a good citizen in the camp community; possess an infectious spirit of fun and adventure and inspiring others to follow and act as “a good friend to all.”
Abbott, daughter of James and Sandra Abbott of Trenton, has worked for the Princeton Family YMCA for two summers. She has also volunteered at Johnson Park Elementary School as a reader and helped with the Y’s Y Zone program. Her dedication to working with children, helping others and bringing out the most of everyone she encounters embodies the true meaning of a camp counselor. She will be a senior at Princeton High School this fall.
Govantes, son of Pedro and Christine Govantes of Pennington, came to the Princeton Family YMCA this year, applying his athletic and leadership skills to his role. A rising sophomore at Villanova University with a passion for athletics, Govantes enjoys using sports as a tool to teach values. He also volunteered with the Special Olympics, is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and has coached young players at a baseball and softball camp.
More information is online at princetonymca.org.
