Zefi recognized for her leadership and volunteerism

Goshen, N.Y. – Orange County Executive Steven M. Neuhaus has named Maybrook resident Elizabeth Zefi as March’s Citizen of the Month Award recipient.

Zefi, a senior at Valley Central High School in Montgomery, was honored for her leadership and her volunteer work. Zefi has gained both leadership and volunteer experience through her involvement in multiple organizations, including Girl Scouts of America, the American Red Cross (Blood Program Leader), the Orange County Youth Bureau Youth Advisory Board (President), the Board of Education (Student Representative), Student Government Association (Secretary), and National Honor Society (Dean). Last July, Zefi attended both the Marist College Summer Pre-College Program in Business and the Mercy College Summer Leadership Academy. She also interns for Assemblyman Brian Maher.

In addition, Zefi has received the New York State Seal of Biliteracy in Italian and Spanish, the Girl Scout Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards, and the President’s Volunteer Service Award. She also maintains top grades at school and is awaiting college acceptance letters before deciding where to head in the fall.

“Elizabeth’s active and engaged leadership roles within various organizations in her community is wonderful. She is a great example to her peers that being involved and participating in your school and community is a win/win endeavor.”  Neuhaus said. “Not only is Elizabeth learning useful, lifelong skills, but she is also making friends and meeting mentors while contributing her own skills to the groups to which she dedicates her time,” Neuhaus added.  

Zefi is the daughter of immigrants; her father is from Albania and her mother is from Italy. The couple came to the United States in the early 2000s. Both of Elizabeth’s parents were small business owners; her mother had an Italian deli where she would take Elizabeth as a first grader, sometimes quite early in the morning. Her father owned a construction company and Zefi said, “He has been very successful in his career in America. While his success may not be millions of dollars, it seems like it is for us, as we know how hard he and my mother had to work in a new country.”

Zefi has been very involved with the Orange County Youth Bureau, currently serving as President of the Youth Advisory Board. She represented the County’s youth at the Association of NYS Youth Bureaus’ annual Youth Leadership Forum and Legislative Day. Zefi advocated to the Senate and Assembly Representatives for the value of Positive Youth Development Programs.

Neuhaus summed up, “I know Elizabeth will benefit from her experiences as a volunteer and leader here in Orange County and she will be an asset to whatever schools or organizations she chooses in the future. It was a pleasure meeting with Elizabeth and her family, and I look forward to hearing about the awesome things she will go on to do.”   

Neuhaus introduced his Citizen of the Month Award, which acknowledges outstanding Orange County residents, in January of 2017. To nominate someone for the Citizen of the Month Award, please email ceoffice@orangecountygov.com or mail a letter to “Citizen of the Month” at 255-275 Main Street Goshen, N.Y. 10924. Be sure to include the nominee’s name, hometown, a list of their accomplishments, why you are nominating them and any other pertinent information.

For more information, contact Mary Pat Smith, Assistant to the County Executive at 845.291.3258 or mpsmith@orangecountygov.com.