Gianna Dewitt of Atlantic Highlands recently received the Unsung Unitarian Universalist Award, the first teen recipient of this award, given by a 51-District-wide organization including Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The award is for “Significant and Continuing Contribution to Unitarian Universalism Without Regard for Recognition.”
Dewitt, a member of the Unitarian Universalism Congregation of Monmouth County located in Lincroft, has been an active congregant most of her life. Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal religion that encourages each person to articulate their own faith and to listen deeply to what calls them to life. It asks only that you believe what you have to believe based on your own experience, that you respect the authenticity of others beliefs and that we can indeed come together in love. In order to expand accessibility, the Congregation is moving to a two-service schedule on Sunday, with services at 9 and 11:00 AM. You do not have to be a member to attend. The new schedule will start in September.
Her youth group advisor, Liz deBeer, who nominated Dewitt, said, “Gia is an outstanding young woman, who has exhibited leadership in our congregation, both directly by leading multiple activities and indirectly by simply being a good person, eager to learn and grow.”
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Some examples deBeer cited were Dewitt’s volunteer work in the congregation nursery, her leadership in both the Crop Walk and organizing several blood drives, and her involvement in interfaith work via the Garden State MOSAIC for Youth. Dewitt’s favorite hobbies are graphic art, musical theater and choral groups, all of which she hopes to continue in college. Dewitt often volunteers to sing in the congregation’s yearly musical theater and the talent shows. Her graphic arts skills have helped advertise various congregational events, including the blood drives. Dewitt graduated from Communications High School in Wall this spring and will study Graphic Design at Philadelphia University, Philadelphia.
