Coatesville teen recognized for his leadership skills

CASH junior chosen to receive award from Widener U., NBC10

By Kathleen Brady Shea, Managing Editor, The Times

Noah Willett

A Coatesville teen has been selected to receive a Widener University High School Leadership Award and scholarship.

Noah Willett, a junior at Coatesville Area Senior High, was one of 134 students from high schools throughout the Philadelphia region chosen for their abilities to stand up for what is right, address a wrong, or make a difference in their communities or schools, said a news release from Widener University.

Willett has made a difference in the community through ServiceCorps, an intensive program of the Coatesville Youth Initiative that combines employment and volunteerism with a life and leadership curriculum, the release said. Willett, who has worked at the Brandywine YMCA as well as Art Partners Studio in Coatesville, is now in a leadership role in the ServiceCorps program, which helps others teens reach their potential.

“Over the last four years, Noah Willett has committed countless hours of meaningful service to nonprofit organizations in the greater Coatesville community,” said Chaya Scott, executive director of the Coatesville Youth Initiative. “Noah is an exceptional young leader who uses his many skills, talents, and gifts to improve the lives of others. We are so proud of him!”

Now in its third year, the Widener award program is run in partnership with WCAU-TV NBC10, the release said. High school principals select a student, who then has to fill out an application form and submit a 250- to 300-word essay that is reviewed by Widener, a university spokesperson said.

“We are thrilled to see that the High School Leadership program is continuing to grow because there are so many students in our area who are demonstrating courage and leadership within their communities,” said Widener University President James T. Harris III.  “This award embodies Widener University’s focus on developing strategic leaders and responsible citizens, who demonstrate the capacity to lead outside their comfort zone, and it’s one that we are extremely proud of.”

Eric Lerner, president and general manager of NBC10 Philadelphia, said the station was honored to be involved in a program “to recognize students who are involved in wonderful initiatives” in their communities. “This year’s winners deserve to be in the spotlight, as they are shining examples of how we can all work together to improve our communities and help those in need,” Lerner said.

Winners are invited to a celebratory breakfast at the National Constitution Center on March 20, as well as a leadership conference at Widener University in the fall of 2014. Most notably, winners will receive a scholarship of $20,000 over four years should they enroll at Widener University for undergraduate studies.

Widener University is a metropolitan university that connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. A comprehensive doctorate-granting university, Widener is comprised of eight schools and colleges that offer liberal arts and sciences, professional and pre-professional curricula leading to associate’s, baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degrees. The university’s campuses in Chester, Exton and Harrisburg, and Wilmington, Del., serve more than 6,300 students. For more information about the university, visit www.widener.edu.

For more information on the Coatesville Youth Initiative, visit https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coatesville-Youth-Initiative/123584734363228.