Mounties Participate in Teens for Teens Organization
Six Mount Saint Mary Academy students hold membership positions on the board of the Teens for Teens organization which held its Gala last week at Echo Lake Country Club in Westfield to benefit Caring Contact.
Founded in 2013, Teens for Teens’ mission is to aid New Jersey teenagers by fundraising and volunteering through existing organizations.
At the Gala, the leadership and compassion of these Mounties took center stage: Bridget Mooney '22 (President), Riley Newall '22 and Katherine Kenny '22 (Co-Directors of Communications), and board members Phoebe Costalos '23, Katie Ferris '24, and Nina Heim '24.
In addition, Ankita Mallik ’23 and Maddie Carnesi-Silberstein ’23 offered musical performances during the Gala.
“I had heard about the Teens for Teens galas through the Mount, but I really got to go through the whole process of helping to plan the gala this year,” explained Phoebe, who participated this year as a first-time member of the team.
“I loved being a part of a team working so passionately toward helping our community,” she said. “It was so amazing to see what we could do when we worked together as a group. Knowing that our hard work contributed to Caring Contact and changed the lives of many is such a moving experience. I cannot wait for next year!”
Nina, who joined after learning that Bridget would be the President of the organization, said, “Once she told me a little more about what the group did, I immediately knew that it was something I wanted to do. I had heard about the galas they had held in the past and remember being in awe of how much a group of teens could accomplish for such amazing causes.”
“I was excited to find out that this year we would be supporting Caring Contact, a local crisis hotline. Like most of the other girls on the team, I live in Westfield, so to be able to raise money for a volunteer group like Caring Contact was amazing,” she shared. “The services they provide to people struggling with mental health literally saves lives, so being able to support them was beyond rewarding. I am so excited to be on the team again next year and look forward to helping support more groups like Caring Contact.”
Katherine added, "I first heard about Teens for Teens from upperclasswomen at Mount when I was a freshman. I was invited to a gala, and when I attended, I knew this was something I had to be a part of. It was so inspiring to see a group of capable teenagers contributing positively to locals in such a creative way, by hosting a gala.”
“I have been a part of Teens for Teens for two years now, and it has been so rewarding to say the least,” she continued. “Learning about Caring Contact this year and their mission to provide a listening ear to those facing challenges mentally was so inspiring, and it made hosting a successful gala so important to the rest of the team and I."
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