2024 Summerfest Awardees

  • Ms. Nerissa Kamara

    Ms. Kamara works as a supplementary teacher at Harris Elementary School. She is attentive to the kids in class and she talks to them when they need a listening ear. She works part-time at the Collingdale library. In the past, she tutored kids at the library and presently she is a custodian. She is a wife to Ps. Matthew Kamara, the pastor of Pilgrims Seventh Day Adventist Church, where she coordinates a food pantry for anyone in need of food items. She is a mother to nine kids; seven of them are adopted. She is a recent graduate of Western Governor University in Utah receiving her Masters in Elementary Education. She loves to cook and entertain others. Her favorite meal to prepare is Liberian dry rice.

  • Emma Restrepo

    Emma is a voice for connecting Latinx women in the Philadelphia area and beyond.  She is a journalist from Columbia who escaped danger because of her advocacy.  

    She founded 2PuntosPodcast, a radio show that, in the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic, became an intimate audio conversation now available on Spotify, Ivoox, YouTube, Facebook, and three radio stations: Philatinos, PhillyCAM WPPM 106.5 FM and USALAl.

    Her work continues to grow. She now has established a Newsroom, VozColectiva that is staffed by a team working remotely from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Bogota, Colombia to produce a podcast. It is a multigenerational, bilingual team.

    Fun fact: She doesn’t smile when she’s joking.

  • Fatumata Kaba (Fatu)

    As president of the Student Council of the 2024 class at Academy Park High School (APHS), Fatu played a key role in organizing various school fundraisers. These events aimed to raise funds for important school initiatives, such as extracurricular activities, dances, and trips.

    Fatu contributed to a vibrant and positive school environment by organizing fundraisers and events. Increased participation in these activities fostered a sense of unity and pride among students, teachers, and staff. Fatu’s involvement in organizing fundraisers and promoting school spirit is regular and ongoing. As president of the Student Council and co-founder of the APHS Positive Behavioral Intervention Services (PBIS) Leadership Committee, she consistently contributed to the school community & well- being. Fatu graduated with the 2024 class of APHS and will starting at Delaware County Community College in the fall, with the hopes of becoming a Neuropsychologist someday and is excited to be getting her drivers license soon. 

    Her dad is from Guinea and her mom is from Liberia. Fatu loves to read and her favorite book is American Sirens.

  • Daniel Dobson

    Daniel is known for being kind, respectful and always keeping the peace. At home, he does all his chores without complaints. His parents say they can count on him. As a junior in high school, Daniel also shown amazing kindness and courage. Once at school, one of his peers wanted to hurt himself and Daniel saved his life by talking him out of it. His family receives great reports about him from neighbors and friends.

    He is already accepted into the Votec trade school for computer Engineering upon graduation. He loves movies based on comic books.

Community Service/Kindness Recognition Nomination Form