iTNT Radio (www.itntradio.com) recently hosted its first annual “18 Under 18 Awards” ceremony at the Sephardic Community Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event honored 18 Jewish high school students from the greater Tri-State area, recognizing them for their outstanding achievements in academics, charitable work, athletics, the arts and extracurricular activities. This new award is designed to seek out and honor those teens who see the value in applying their personal interests, skills, and knowledge toward building a stronger local and universal Jewish community for today’s youth.
iTNT Radio is an online interactive social hub for the young Jewish community. The site launched last year and is successfully run by more than 50 teen volunteers and high school interns. It is a place where they can express themselves through music, blogging, photography and video, while learning about digital media and all that running a radio station and website involves.
“Since the launch of iTNT, we have worked with amazing young talent. These teens are committed, creative, and involved with their community. We wanted to expand our reach, hear from more teens, and create some healthy competition amongst the young Jewish community and did so with the 18 Under 18 Awards,” said Elliott Azrak, founder of iTNT Radio.
The 18 Under 18 Awards celebrate the success of Jewish high school students who have gone above and beyond what is expected of them to make a positive change in their personal lives and the world. The overall mission of iTNT Radio is to encourage teens to communicate with others and find a way to make a constructive impact on those around them.
Nominations were made by teachers, classmates, parents or the nominee him/herself. Judging was based on how the nominee has excelled in two or more of the following categories: academic excellence, extracurricular achievements, standout charity work, athletic excellence and achievements in the arts along with the unique personality traits that enable him/her to connect with peers and inspire them to better themselves and further the common good. Nominees were also asked to either create a half hour radio show or a short video that featured music and commentary that defines today’s youth and their view on the world.
The following teens were honored as iTNT Radio’s 2010 “18 Under 18 Award” inductees: Zachy Adler, Joe Benun, David Braha, Sam Gabbay, Al Gindi, Norman Greenberg, Raymond Habbaz, Sam Haddad, Ayala Magder, Linda Maleh, Nathan Mishan, Ezra Mosseri, Daniel Newman, Joey Cohen-Saban, Sara Shalam, Jacob Shamash, Ethan Stein and Morris Zeitouni .
Jacob Shamash was the recipient of the 18 Under 18 $1,800 scholarship, an award sponsored by Hymie and Sophia Dweck. While each of the 18 students recognized are truly extraordinary, Jacob’s academic achievements, his devotion to Yachad—the national Jewish Council for Disabilities, and his participation in Write on for Israel, a two year selective program that prepares high school students to serve as advocates for Israel on university campuses, along with his athleticism and overall devotion to his family, friends and school work made him well deserving of this recognition.
iTNT looks forward to hearing from more students next year, and is eager to celebrate the energy, devotion and kindness of today’s Jewish youth.
If you would like to learn more about iTNT Radio or inquire about how you can become involved with the websites internship program or the next “18 Under 18 Awards,” visit www.itntradio.com, or email info@itntradio.com.
