Phat Friend award winner William “Chip” Madsen (ctr.) with Stephanie Gidigbi (l.), who nominated him for the award, and Gloria Strickland (r.).

The first New Jersey Young Leaders for Change ceremony was held in December, 2003 to honor the exemplary leadership of three alumni of the All Stars Project programs in New Jersey. Jamarl Banks 19, Darling Fluker, 20, and Veronica Osorio, 21 were all recognized for the way in which they have embraced the challenge of their own growth and for “giving back” by building the All Stars for thousands of other young people in their community.

Earlier in the fall, six adults received Phat Friend leadership awards from the youth of the All Stars in New Jersey – adults they felt deserved special recognition for supporting youth development. The awards were presented at a festive event at the Newark Club that also raised $90,000 for the All Stars programs. Among the 2003 Phat Friend Awards recipients were: Toni Caldwell, Director, Tri-City People’s Corporation in East Orange; Patricia Boatwright, Parent Liaison, Hawkins Street School in Newark; Roychele Woodton, 4th Grade Teacher at the Washington Community School in Plainfield; Leda Reeves, Teacher at St. Vincent’s Academy in Newark; William “Chip” Madsen, Director of SCEEP in Newark; Newark family physician Dr. Edward Capriola, and All Stars donor, Robert Barber.