On May 15, 2025, at their Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting, the Overlook Auxiliary presented Upper School Counselor Christine Mahoney with a Youth Leadership Champion Award. In notifying Mahoney of the honor, Melissa Hartzell-Galileo, President of the Overlook Auxiliary Board, said, “Your dedication and excellence have greatly enriched our organization. Your commitment to the Junior Twigs is truly commendable.”

Twelve Twig Organizations throughout the area brainstorm ideas and perform drives to raise financial support for the Overlook Medical Center. In 2018, the Auxiliary established Junior Twigs to engage youth in these philanthropic efforts. 

Mahoney is the Oak Knoll Junior Twig chair and supervisor, leading 75 dedicated Oak Knoll students. Club members have made cards, friendship bracelets, activity books, painted rocks for pediatrics, created Code Lavender bags for nurses, started a program to make Thanksgiving Baskets for HealthStart families, planted flowers in the Hersh Children’s Center outdoor space, and helped decorate the medical center for the holidays. 

This club also organizes creative fundraisers to raise money for volunteer-related activities. The Overlook Auxiliary also hosts a day of service in the Fall and Spring for all Junior Twig members, which most OKS students attend.

“I was humbled to receive the 2025 Overlook Auxiliary Youth Leadership Champion Award,” Mahoney said. “The Overlook Auxiliary has had a profoundly positive impact on my life. Through this organization, I’ve met incredible people, built lasting friendships, and strengthened my commitment to something I deeply value: volunteering and giving back to my community. I’m so proud of my students and their commitment to serving others. I look forward to continuing to live out our school’s mission through ‘Actions, Not Words.’”

Congratulations to Mahoney for this high honor and to all the students in Junior Twigs at Oak Knoll, whose dedication to community service helped pave the way.