Photo: President George Delisle, left, presented the inaugural Joseph Soltysiak Leadership Award to long-time member Sylvia Abar, center, with the assistance of Janice Soltysiak.
The Westfield Kiwanis Club kicked off our 105th year of service to the Greater Westfield community Friday night with our annual officer installation and awards night.
The ceremonies were held at Tekoa Country Club in Westfield.
The club recognized members for reaching membership milestones, and honored the 2025-2026 Kiwanian of the Year and the first-ever winner of the Rev. Joseph Soltysiak Leadership Award.
Outgoing club president George Delisle served as master of ceremonies. Westfield Kiwanians were joined by members from the Springfield, Northampton, Easthampton, and Southern Berkshire Kiwanis Clubs, as well as from the Kiwanis Club of Greater Enfield, CT, and the Kiwanis Club of Likasi, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Incoming President and outgoing Division 15 Lieutenant Governor Amanda Waterfield was recognized with the New England and Bermuda District of Kiwanis Legion of Merit for reaching 10 years with the club. Members Jerome Pitoniak and Heather Witalisz received their 15-year pins.
Past President B. Bradley Cassin received Kiwanis International’s Legion of Honor membership for 25 years with the club, and Past President Kenneth Magarian received his 45-year Legion of Honor pin.
Member Daniele Sturmer was honored with the Kiwanis Ruby K award for recruiting more than five new members into the club.
Dr. Sylvia Abar was honored by the club with the first-ever Joseph Soltysiak Leadership Award. The award is named for past club president “Father Joe” Soltysiak, who died last year. Dr. Abar, a retired educator, was recognized for her years of work as the club’s service leadership chair, and for spearheading the Westfield Kiwanis Good Citizen Awards program.
Incoming President Amanda was honored as Kiwanian of the Year for her work for the club, her service as Div. 15 lieutenant governor, and the efforts she put in as the district’s First Lady in 2025-2026. Before being installed as the new club president, Amanda passed the divisional lieutenant governor’s home club banner to new Lieutenant Governor David Tully.
Lt. Gov. David discharged the 2025-2026 board from its duties before installing the new officers and board. Installed were President Amanda Waterfield, Immediate Past President George Delisle, President-elect Stephen Dondley, Secretary Geana Delisle, Treasurer Anne Benoit, and directors Cathleen Bastible, John Lanoue, Daniele Sturmer, Drew Renfro, Chris DiSanto, and Adam Wright.
