Barbering student honored with Westchester County proclamation
Westchester County Board of Legislators designates "Candelario Torres Day"
Torres, who is a senior at New Rochelle High School, received these honors earlier this month. One was granted by the Westchester County Board of Legislators, who named Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, “Candelario Torres Day.” Torres’ name was on display on the marquee at the Westchester County Center, and he posed for a picture alongside the digital display with his parents.
“I was excited when I found out, but I really just wanted to see my parents’ reaction,” Torres said. “I’m an only child. Them honoring me showed them that I’m a good person, and it was great that my parents got to see my name displayed. They were happy. They were so proud of me.”
Torres first learned about the county’s proclamation earlier this month when he volunteered during a Boys & Girls Club event to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month. William Ianuzzi, who serves as the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s Chief Program Officer, revealed the news in front of all of the attendees. A shocked Torres later had Mr. Ianuzzi — who also serves as the President of the New Rochelle Board of Education — share the news with his parents.
My dad got out of the car and told me he was proud of me,” Torres said. “He was emotional, crying. I’m the only child he has, and he said I’m representing him and our generation well.”
Torres also received proclamations from New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert, the New York State Assembly, and State Senator Shelley Mayer.
Torres earned the recognition for his volunteer work. He first joined the Boys & Girls Club as an eighth grader, but the leadership team recent began asking him to volunteer at its events. He has jumped at every opportunity, and, through programming at the Boys & Girls Club, also had opportunities to travel to Albany and Washington, D.C.
The Washington, D.C. trip occurred for the Summit for America’s Youth in July. Torres and other members of the New Rochelle chapter met with senators and other politicians to advocate for program funding. A group of representatives, including Rep. George Latimer, teamed up to advocate for additional funding for the Boys & Girls Club, when federal funds in a $911,000 grant were released this August.
“We asked them if there was anything they could do to help us,” Torres said. “Since we went, they donated a lot of money for the 21st Century Community Learning Center, which is great.”
Torres’ teacher, Barbering instructor David Biviano, was impressed but not surprised by Torres’ accomplishments. Biviano said he has found his student to be a consummate leader who consistently shows a willingness to help his classmates and teachers.
“He’s very interested in community affairs and helping others,” Biviano said. “Candelario really has all the attributes in someone you’d like to see in a mentor or a role model.”
