What's Happening in Yonkers, NY…

Years ago, Bryan Diaz arrived in the U.S., barely able to speak a word of English. Now, he is a senior at Yonker's Riverside High School and has ranked third in a class of 222 students.

To honor and recognize Diaz's achievements, his guidance counselor Scott Silverman applied to the Watermark Kid program, which is run by a company that operates retirement communities throughout Yonkers and Westchester County.

At the end of February, Diaz got a pleasant surprise when he was called to the counselor's office. Two representatives from Watermark for Kids, Christine Nazzaro and Stephanie Walters, were there to meet him and his family, and to present Diaz with a laptop.

The goal of Watermark for Kids, which is a national nonprofit, is to help talented and deserving kids do well. The organization raises money through a variety of projects, such as bake sales, and through payroll deductions.

Kids chosen for the program are asked to return the favor by mentoring and talking about their experience with their community. Riverside High School could use newsletter printing to share Diaz's story with the rest of the school community.

Along with applying for the Watermark for Kids program for his student, Silverman is helping Diaz apply for scholarships, as he gets ready for college. Diaz hopes to become an engineer and has taken a number of honors courses, plus a college level course, to help him prepare.