2010 Champion of Youth Award

Sandy Solmon
Sweet Street Desserts

Sandy Solmon has inspired and empowered many men and women to take on challenges, believe in themselves and be innovative. From making chocolate chip cookies in a garage to producing more than 60,000 cases of desserts each week at Sweet Street Desserts, Sandy Solmon has become a leading businesswoman in our community. She is dedicated not only to the success of her company, but more importantly her employees. She values each of them, encouraging ongoing education and development. From skills training, language programs and supervisory education to a scholarship program to encourage continuing education for the employees’ children, Sandy emphasizes Sweet Street’s true dedication to education and to its most important resource - people.

In 2005, Sandy and her Kiss A Pig team shattered all records of funds raised fo the campaign to benefit the youth served by Olivet Boys & Girls Club. Her campaign has raised more than 2 1/2 times any previous records. To this day, Sandy is known as the “Queen of Kiss a Pig”. Her campaign and personal commitment to the success of our community youth has benefitted thousands of youth. Sandy has helped to support programs in education, the arts, character development, leadership development and health. In addition, to her commitment to Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Sandy is actively involved in the American Red Cross, Reading Civic Theatre, GoggleWorks, Albright College, Jewish Federation of Reading, Reading Public Museum and Berks Economic Partnership.

2010 Youth of Year

Rhode Paulemont
Center for the Arts

When she was two years old, Rhode Paulemont’s family immigrated to the United States from Haiti. Her mother wanted to give all of her daughters a better life and an opportunity for education. Moving to New York City was an opportunity for her mother to seek employment and raise her six daughters. In her pre-teens, Rhode’s mother moved them to Reading knowing the value of education, ability to succeed and opportunity to attend college was much more achievable for her daughters.

Today, Rhode is a seventeen year old senior at Reading High School currently ranked in the top 11% of her class. She is actively involved in the Reading High School Dance Team as Co-Captain, recurring performer in the RHS Talent Shows, member of Track and Field team and a member of Baba-Na-Ka. Baba-Na-Ka is a school club whose mission is to raise awareness of Black History and Culture, promote diversity and create mutual respect between the diverse ethnicities at Reading High School.

In addition to her academic priorities and extracurricular activities, she has been an active member of her church, Weed & Seed Camps, Berks Pride and the Center for the Arts at Olivet Boys & Girls Club.

After graduating this June, Rhode is planning to attend Philadelphia University to major in fashion design. She has a goal to become a designer in the fashion industry and to launch her own line.