Ten high school students from several schools in Westchester County were honored in White Plains tonight for their leadership and dedication to service and social justice.

“It’s really an amazing feeling," says Mateus Hertz-Bird, a Dobbs Ferry student and award recipient.

"It definitely feels surreal," says Mia Uzcategui-Dommar, an Ossining student and award recipient.

These students are juniors and seniors in high school in Dobbs Ferry, Mount Vernon, Ossining, Scarsdale, Sleepy Hollow, White Plains and Yonkers.

Each them received a Youth Service Award from the Westchester County Youth Bureau and the County Youth Board. “These young people give their time and their energy to impact their community, everything from delivering toys to homeless shelters to community gardens to creating a safe space in school," says Dr. Alexandria Connally, Chairwoman of the Westchester County Youth Board.

To the students, these awards mean the world to them. “We are so lucky to be in a county with so much opportunity, especially at the youth level," says Hertz-Bird.

"The stuff that I’m being recognized for today is stuff that I honestly stuff that I didn’t expect to be doing at such a young age," says Uzcategui-Dommar.

Student award recipients told News 12 their work isn’t going to end here. They also want to encourage younger kids to get involved with opportunities inside and outside the classroom. "It’s important to be shown at a young age that you have access to all these opportunities," says Hertz-Bird.