June 3, 2015 -- Fifty-one promising young women and their professional women mentors were celebrated during the Her Honor Mentoring Graduation June 3 at the Larchmont Shore Club.

"Mentors play such an important role in a person's life," said Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino. "Not only did these young women get on-the-job training, but they also got to see first-hand what it takes to set goals and succeed in the workplace. I congratulate all of the students who completed the program, and thank our fantastic mentors."

Funded by Judge Judy Sheindlin, the presiding judge on the #1 daytime syndicated show "Judge Judy," and developed by her daughter, Nicole Sheindlin, Her Honor Mentoring is administered by the Westchester County Office for Women, a division of County Executive Astorino's Office, and The Mental Health Association of Westchester.

Mentees were selected this year from the following high schools: Lincoln, Mamaroneck, Mount Vernon, Nellie Thornton, Saunders and White Plains.

"It is my profound wish that having had the experience of Her Honor Mentoring will help these fine young women become the heroes of their own stories," said Judge Sheindlin.

The girls were selected with the help of their school districts and received stipends for their work. They spent a minimum of four hours per week for six months with their mentor at her work site. In addition, the girls took courses on topics including budgeting money, business attire, professional expectations, healthy relationships, dining etiquette, public speaking and advocacy.

Mentees and mentors all received a hard copy of Judge Judy's newly published book, "What Would Judy Say? Be the Hero of Your Own Story." The book provides discussion topics and guidance to help women evaluate what it really takes to get what you deserve out of life, how to define your worth, and ultimately create your own destiny. Judge Judy is providing the ebook for free at www.whatwouldjudysay.com/be-the-hero. 

MEET THE HER HONOR CLASS OF 2015

Lincoln High School

Christie Medina - Christie's career interests include both culinary arts and business.
Christie Verschoor ♦ - HR Specialist, Stew Leonard's

Rosa Ortega - Rosa dreams of pursuing a career in education.
Katie Cray - Program Associate, Yonkers Partners In Education

Vianey Vaquero - Vianey won second place in the YSAP competition for her notable experiment with the bacteria E-Coli.
Nancy Dong ♦ - VP, Controller, ContraFect Corporation

Jennifer Yang - Jennifer loves to solve problems by using science and analytics.
Susan Liddie ♦ - Group VP & Chief Information Officer, Avon Products, Inc.

Mamaroneck High School

Maritza Angeles - Maritza's passions include psychology and counseling.
Gladys Perez-Divito - Licensed Psychotherapist

Daniela Barrios - Daniela is focused on a career in early education.
Maria Diaz ♦ - Owner, Eye Level Learning Center

Maritza Bautista - Maritza enjoys working with children because they bring her joy.
Laurie Gage - Director, Drama Dept., Mamaroneck Avenue School

Maria Carrasco - Maria is focused on her goal of being an independent, successful woman.
Jasmine Colon Rice - Real Estate Agent, Coldwell Banker Residential Services

Nikki Caruso - Nikki is passionate about her writing and has a strong interest in sociology.
Daphne Swinton ♦ - Westchester Dept. of Social Services & Jessica Grimm - Braveheart

Giselle Fonseca - Giselle is a strong young woman determined to break stereotypes.
Jirandy Martinez ♦ - Programs Manager, Hispanic Resource Center

Daisy Mairena - Daisy loves math and plans to pursue a career in accounting.
Jane Corcoran ♦ - Owner, E-Administrative Services

Stephanie Maldonado - Stephanie expresses herself through drawing and art.
Kathleen Reckling ♦ - Gallery Director, ArtsWestchester

Ana Mazariegos - Ana's career interests are focused on communication and business.
Edith Barillas ♦ - Minuteman Press Mamaroneck

Auriyanna Melendez - Auriyanna loves to read, write and follow her artistic inclinations.
Maria Garzona ♦ - Account manager, Cisco

Olivia Morgan - Olivia looks forward to a career that involves working with children.
Inga Watkins - Director, Modelquette

Hyo-Jin Kang - Hyo-Jin feels inspired when she is helping other people.
Helen Gates - Executive Director, Rye Arts Center

Thania Rodas - Thania is focused on being a role model and enjoys counseling people.
Jackie Agudelo - Executive Director, United Community Center of Westchester Inc.

Joana Dos Santos - Joanna loves learning and being a part of different cultures.
Carol Bengis ♦ - Legislative Aide, Westchester County Board of Legislators

Kimberly Travezano - Kimberly is a hard worker with a contagious smile.
Nancy White ♦ - Owner, The Flower Bar

Diana Vasquez - Diana enjoys learning where we came from and how we have changed.
Christina Carino-Forrest ♦ - Government/Community Production Manager, LMC-TV

Dalia Yan - Dalia dreams of a career in photojournalism.
Myra Hafetz ♦ - Photographer, Mamaroneck Artist's Guild

Mount Vernon High School

Janei Chambers - One of Janei's favorite past times is watching FoodNetwork.
Cathy Schauber ♦ - Owner, Cathy's Biscotti

Crystal Luna - Crystal describes herself as open-minded and easily learns new concepts.
Margaret ("Meg") Powell – Sr. Business Leader, Global Products & Solutions, MasterCard

Jennifer Morales - Jennifer's favorite subjects are math and business.
Amy Macca - Strategy & New Initiatives, Franchise Development, MasterCard

Anya Patterson - Anya hopes to become a pathologist that specializes in diseases of the eye.
Deborah Crowder - Office Manager, Harooni & Sheindlin MD

Sofia Ruiz - Sofia dreams of a career in fashion merchandising.
Louisa McTurner ♦ - Owner, Weezie D. Ladies Boutique

Talibah Stephenson - Talibah strives for her goal to seek and learn knowledge every day.
Alisa Kesten - Executive Director, Volunteer New York!

Saunders High School

Noor Azeem - Noor looks forward to a career in her favorite subject Constitutional law.
Hon. Mary Anne Scattaretico-Naber ♦ - Judge, 9th Judicial District, Westchester Family Court

Alejandra Flores - Alejandra is passionate about a career in fashion and business.
Antoinette Klatzky ♦ - Program Director, Eileen Fisher Leadership Institute

Kimberly Garcia - One of Kimberly's career goals is to attend college at FIT in NYC.
Viannig De La Cruz - Sample Coordinator, Eileen Fisher

Kadelin Hernandez - Kadelin wants to follow her dream of working in the medical field.
Beth Schorr-Lesnick ♦ - Physician, Beth Schorr-Lesnick, MD

Luisana Herrera - Luisana strongly believes "if you can dream it, you can become it."
Shelley Mayer ♦ - New York State Assemblywoman, Yonkers

Fatimah Huda - Fatimah describes herself as a responsible and mature role model.
Laura Alemzadeh - General Counsel, Kawasaki Rail Car Inc.

Nadia Naoum - Nadia's major in Bio-Chem has taught her great lessons in teamwork.
Ann-Marie Mitroff - River Program Director, Groundworks Hudson Valley

Khaja Parvez - Khaja's career interests are focused on the area of criminal justice.
Gretchen Mullins-Kim ♦ - Lawyer, Gretchen Mullins-Kim P.C.

Cristina Perez - Cristina enjoys helping identify problems and finding practical solutions.
Ellen Story ♦ - Director of Management Development, Stew Leonard's

Ashley Santoro - Ashley loves culinary arts and dreams of owning a bakery.
Mariana & Maria Gambini ♦ - Co-Owners, Chantilly Patisserie

Thornton High School

Zaira Barajas - Zaira's interest is human behavior and psychology.
Rosa Boone ♦ - Deputy Commissioner/Family Investment, Westchester Dept. of Social Services

Chantal Espaillat - Chantal is committed to being a lifelong learner and role model.
Renee Fleuranges-Valdes ♦ - IBM Information Management Software

Shadia Simms - Shadia describes herself as confident and a very determined individual.
Robin Harmon-Myers ♦ - Owner, Harmony Designs Furniture & Interiors

Destiny Smith - Destiny's strongest traits are sensitivity, kindness and a strong work ethic.
Redina Hembree - Co-Founder, King's Southern Delight

White Plains High School

Luz Calderon - Luz lives by the motto "put yourself out there because you never know who you will meet on your journey."
Hon. Kathie E. Davidson ♦ - Supervising Judge, Westchester Family Court

Michelle Eguez - Michelle knows hard work and dedication will ultimately lead to success.
Martha Anderson ♦ - Spanish Speaking Program Specialist, Westchester County Office for Women

Valencia Flerinord – Valencia loves people and helping them find working solutions.
Nancy Levin ♦ - Chief Development Officer, My Sisters' Place

Daisy Flores - Daisy is passionate about pursuing her dream to become a civil engineer.
Marialisa Zywotchenko - President/Owner, Cyrus Contracting Corp.

Maria Garcia - Maria knows she wants a career that focuses on helping others.
Alissa Kozlowsky - NY Presbyterian Hospital/Westchester Division

Jennifer Gomez - Jennifer has a Karate black belt and prides herself on never giving up.
Zoya McCants, LMHC, CASAC-T - Liberty Healthcare @ Westchester Medical Center

Jennifer Loja - Jennifer loves learning about different careers and experiences.
Kenya Ajose ♦ - Director & Program Manager, Women's Enterprise Development Center Inc.

Corel Marchena - Corel lives by the motto that struggles lead to greater success.
Valerie Raynor - Director of Program Development II (Personnel), Human Resources, Westchester County

Gabriele Mateo-Saja - Gabriele is interested in marine life and protecting our oceans.
Patricia O'Callahan - Deputy Director, Solid Waste Commission, Westchester County

Cindy Rosas - Cindy is open to learning a variety of career and business opportunities.
Nancy Krzemienski ♦ - Senior Vice-President, MHA Westchester

♦ Indicates returning mentor.