(Credit: Luke Mosseau, 2022)
Kyle Burkett
Kyle Burkett is a Rock Star.
That was the official title conferred upon him Friday Aug. 12, by the leaders of Warren County’s Summer Youth Employment Program.
He is in his third year in SYEP and was recognized for being ambitious, team-oriented, and intuitive. He is also working to become an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. He completed that this summer, too.
So now, Burkett is a rock star, with an award to prove it.
The annual end-of-year celebration at the East Field Pavilion in Glens Falls, highlighted 29 young employees, all between 14 and 20 years old, who excelled at their summer jobs in SYEP. The awards are based on performance conduct, attendance record, positive attitudes and courteousness in the workplace.
The awards ranged from pins for achievement to larger prizes for the three stand-outs:
- Rock Star: Youth who was an excellent employee and demonstrated a high level of professionalism and work ethic during program. Winner, Kyle Burkett of Glens Falls, 16, worked at Glens Falls Parks & Recreation.
- Rising Star: Youth who was an excellent employee and demonstrated a lot of growth during the program. Winner, Averi Belanger of Queensbury, 14, worked at Blackberry Hill Farm in Thurman.
- Employee of the Summer: Youth who was an exceptional employee, stood out with outstanding work qualities and had perfect attendance. Winner, Serenity Wood of Johnsburg, 17, worked at Johnsburg Public Library.
Under the direction of the Warren County Department of Employment and Training, SYEP provides jobs for youths under a certain income bracket and runs during the months of July and August to coincide with summer break.
The program offers a chance to build relationships that might lead to career opportunities, said Liza Ochsendorf, Warren County’s director of employment and training.
Organizations such as the Open Door Mission, Salvation Army, BOCES, Blackberry Hill Farm, Adirondack Safari, and municipalities like Warrensburg and Johnsburg, among several others, were the worksites involved with the program.
SYEP is funded by grants though the New York State office of Temporary and Disability assistance. During their enrollment in the program, youth earn $15 per hour wage.
“Since the youth are being paid and employed through the county, the businesses and municipalities involved are essentially receiving free labor in a time when it’s hard to find dependable, hardworking employees during staffing shortages,” Ochsendorf said.
Youth counselor Jill Metcalfe said that while the program exposes young workers to possible career fields while earning money, the awards are important, too.
“It’s also important to recognize those who go above and beyond and exemplify grit in their work, as an example to those that follow,” Metcalfe said. She is in her 10th year supporting the program as a youth counselor.
Guest speaker Stephen Pugh told the story of his rise from hard-worker to entrepreneur. Pugh owns The Stone Stash, a company he formed in his bedroom when he was 18.
“I was working two full-time jobs, over 100 hours a week. I was taking classes to get my real estate license, and I was riding a bicycle 16 miles a day as transportation.
“I started selling my crystals on Facebook when my collection had outgrown my bedroom. The first few months were slow, but I was making a little extra money which made a huge difference, and some time around month two or three, I pushed hard and hit around $7,000 in sales in a week.”
His business grew from there.
Acting Warren County Administrator Craig Leggett, the Chestertown Supervisor, reminded everyone that their hard work filled a need, that the places where they worked needed what the young people could give, and that creates opportunity.
“With this summer experience, a whole new world of opportunities opens up to you. You have experience. As you continue to grow, remember that you are also an opportunity for somebody. You have value. And that, I hope, is what comes through with what this program is all about,” Leggett said.
Sidebar: The picnic for the awards luncheon was provided by Operation Food Chain, a community food service sponsored by the Warren, Washington, Hamilton, Essex County Community Action Agency. Operation Food Chain serves nutritional lunches, meat and vegetables, to children 18 years and younger at the East Field Pavilion and Village Greens in Glens Falls during the summer.
This summer, Operation Food Chain included three youths from SYEP and delivered the most meals in their 27-year history, 1,152 in all.
Rainer’s Gourmet catered the event.
Correction: Kyle Burkett is working to become an Eagle Scout. We originally said he already had that designation.