The Bradford YMCA held its 2018 Bradford Community Awards Breakfast on Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.

Over 160 individuals attended the event which recognizes area individuals for their accomplishments and commitment to the area.

Five area youth were presented with the “Ray C. Uhler YMCA Outstanding Youth

Award.” The McKean County students selected are individuals who have demonstrated throughout their high school careers a continual commitment to helping others through volunteer efforts to local community groups and organizations, church and school.

This year’s honorees were: Juliah Laemmer from Bradford Area High School, Riana Smith from Kane Area High School, Patrick Taylor from Otto-Eldred High School, Katherine Ernst from Port Allegany High School, and Dominic Alfieri from Smethport Area Jr.-Sr. High School.

The Program Leadership Award was given to Caren Barnes for her outstanding dedication to the YMCA Barracudas Swim Team.

Stacie Titus received the Excellence in Child Care Award for her commitment to youth development in the community.

The “George G. Blaisdell YMCA Community Service Award” was presented to Kristen Tim and Lisa Johnson received the award on behalf of Bradford Ecumenical Home Inc. The annual award recognizes one or more individuals, businesses, or organizations in Bradford and the surrounding area for continual commitment to the improvement of the community by his/her actions, words, and deeds that exemplify the Y mission of building “spirit, mind, and body for all.”

Bradford YMCA Executive Director Brent Raabe commented, “Congratulations to our award recipients. I want to thank the community for coming and supporting this event. I am blessed to be part of an organization that celebrates the strong partnerships and collaborations necessary to achieve with our common goal: to work together to improve Bradford, fill necessary gaps, and add value for the families in our community.”