In one of his first appearances since retirement, Mariano Rivera, a New York Yankees legend and Purchase resident, was honored with the Kohlberg Citizenship Award at the New Rochelle Fund for Educational Excellence Gala on Wednesday, Nov. 13.
Along with the regular honorees, five New Rochelle High School students were presented with awards.
Jocelyne Oliveros, 17, is a senior who was given the Garfinkel Citizenship Award for being an outstanding member of her community.
"It's really an honor to be here," she said. "I'm so excited."
Courtney Mills, 17; Matthew Ricker, 17; Ashley Wiggins, 17 and Torin Di Salvo, 17 were also student honorees.
Rivera spoke to the students, stressing the importance of student leadership, hard work and community action in order to achieve success.
"You have to be driven for success, and to have passion for what you want," he said, "As a player, I had a lot of passion for the game, I worked very hard, and that is why I succeeded."
"Leadership, especially in young people, is very important, because (the youth) are an example to those coming behind them," Rivera told The Daily Voice. "You have to have patience, kindness and love to embrace the people you lead, even when they don't do what you want them to."
Jerome Kohlberg, of the Kohlberg Foundation, received the Foundation Award.
Steven Sayfer, president and CEO of Montefiore Medical Center, received the Community Leadership Award.
Mary Anne Schmitt-Carey, president of Say Yes To Education, Inc., received the Distinguished Alumna Award.
Errol Lewis, host of "Inside City Hall" on NY1 News and a CNN contributor, was the master of ceremonies.
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