PASE Honors Five Afterschool Educators at 2015 Anniversary PASEsetter Awards

The PASEsetter Awards Benefit gathers more than 500 city leaders from government, business, education, advocacy, philanthropy, and youth development to honor five of New York City's most innovative and effective community educators, individuals who achieve excellence in and exhibit true devotion to improving the lives of the young people in out-of-school time.

This year's PASEsetter winners are:

• Katha Cato, Director of After-School and Camp Services at Henry Street Settlement;

• Lamont Jackson, Program Director, After School and Summer Camp at Kingsbridge Heights Community Center;

• Ranti Ogunleye, Senior Trainer at Global Kids;

• Aubrey Semple, Program Director at New York City Urban Debate League; and

• Matthew Smilardi, Artistic Instructor at Rockaway Artists Alliance.

"The PASEsetter Awards were the first, and remain the only, event of their kind in the afterschool field," said Fern Khan, Dean Emerita, Division of Continuing Education at Bank Street College and President of PASE's Board of Directors. "Each year we look forward with excitement to expressing our thanks to afterschool educators for their tireless efforts, to recognizing their critical importance to the families and communities they serve, and to reaffirming our collective commitment to New York City's children."

In addition to celebrating the five PASEsetter Award winners, PASE will also honor Richard Scheff, Chairman and Partner of Montgomery McCracken Walker & Rhoads, LLP, a highly valued member of the PASE Board of Directors, and a longtime friend of PASE and supporter of the afterschool community in New York City.

The PASEsetter Awards Benefit will be held on Thursday, February 26 at 6:00 p.m. at Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York City. Tickets to the event can be purchased by visiting www.pasesetter.org.