More than 160 guests attended Two’s AZA’s third annual Marty Awards on May 10, at the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park, Kan., shattering the event’s attendance record. Attendees celebrated the achievements of KC BBYO, strolled down the red carpet, noshed on gourmet desserts and partied like it was 1925. A total of 165 guests were in attendance and the chapter raised over $11,000 in donations and ticket sales — another Marty’s record. Twenty-nine Two’s members were present.
The award winners were: Bryan Persky, Aleph of the Year; Gabby Sosland, BBG of the Year; Claire Rosen, Mensch of the Year; Justin Parmet, Senior of the Year; Judah Bassin; Underclassman of the Year; and Friendsgiving, Program of the Year. Ariel Palan was named Chapter Sweetheart; Senior Lucy Warner was named honorary Belle of the Ball.
“It absolutely blew my expectations,” said sophomore Will Widman, Two’s Mazkir.
This year, the chapter had another reason to celebrate as Marty’s fell on the chapter’s 101st birthday.
“It was amazing seeing so many people gathering to celebrate BBYO and Two’s 100 years later,” said sophomore Shaefer Spizman, Two’s Shaliach.
The night’s ceremonies kicked off with a video highlighting the chapter’s spring semester activities and programs, including Two’s epic basketball win over Nordaunian in April and the chapter’s two six-fold programs this spring.
The theme of the night was “Party Like It’s 1925,” honoring the past, present and future of KC BBYO. The JCC was transformed into a “Roaring 20’s party,” featuring gourmet cakes and cupcakes, a chocolate fountain, over 100 old-fashioned craft sodas, cookies, macarons and mocktails.
“Tonight we will be transported 100 years back into the roaring 1920’s, a time of innovation, resilience, and most of all, celebration,” said sophomore Danny Martin, before introducing the hosts for the evening, Noah Bergh and Bryan Persky.
“This evening is all about honoring the outstanding accomplishments of my fellow Kansas City BBYO teens, alongside the amazing adults who keep BBYO running,” Martin said. “We will admire the dedication, leadership, and resilience these individuals have brought forth. These are qualities which created the foundation 100 years ago. My great grandfather, Julius Peltzman, an original Two’s member, was a person who embodied all these qualities. I am proud that today I am standing here before you wearing the same jersey he wore as starting point guard on the 1925 AZAA championship team.”
Ken Sonnenschein spoke on behalf of Mitzvah Garden KC, a volunteer-supported, nonprofit garden with 100% of its harvests going to local food pantries. Two’s members have been volunteering at the Mitzvah Garden throughout the year as part of the chapter’s BBYO Stand UP campaign, “If I Had the World to Give,” aimed at ending child hunger in our community. Two’s announced it would be making a $400 donation to the Mitzvah Garden.
Two’s introduced a new honor at this year’ Marty’s: the Mnookin Memorial AZA #2 Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame is named in memory of Kansas City chemist Nathan Mnookin, the founder of the AZA movement and the adviser of AZA’s first two chapters, whose vision and dedication paved the way for countless young Jewish leaders. Two’s was thrilled and honored to have Mnookin’s daughter, Diane Mnookin Arnell, 92, and family in attendance.
“It was truly special that each member of Two’s AZA took the time to personally introduce themselves and express their gratitude to Diane Mnookin, honoring her and her father Nathan Mnookin for his pioneering work as one of the founders of the AZA movement,” said Two’s Advisor David Wexler, a cousin of the Mnookin family.
The inaugural class of AZA #2 Hall of Famers are:
- Philip Klutznick, William Horowitz, Lewis Sutin and Abraham Margolin. These four founding members of AZA #2, who gave themselves the nickname, “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” played pivotal roles in shaping the AZA’s core values and mission. Their leadership and commitment to the cause have inspired generations of Jewish youth.
- The 1925 AZA National Basketball and Debate Champions. In 1925, AZA held its first ever national basketball and debate tournament on March 21-22, 1925 in Omaha, Nebraska. The debate team consisted of Phil Klutznick and Bill Horowitz, college roommates at KU. The basketball team — led by Phil Copland, Sidney Magazine and Julius Pelztman — not only showcased athletic talent but also exemplified the spirit of teamwork, camaraderie and competition that are hallmarks of the AZA fraternity.
As always, the Marty Awards featured several humorous and entertaining skits this year, including Dad Jokes with Micah Kramer and Jacob LaRoque, the annual “funny awards,” and a “Finish the Lyric” contest.
The Marty Awards, which debuted on May 12, 2023, was the vision of Two’s AZA Aleph Miller Brown, who envisioned creating an Oscars-style formal awards ceremony honoring the accomplishments and achievements of members of Kansas City BBYO. This year’s event was chaired by Jason Persky, Judah Bassin and Shaefer Spizman.
“I’m really proud of all our members, especially our younger members, who helped contribute and make the night as amazing as possible,” said Bryan Persky, Two’s Aleph Godol.
It was a big year for Two’s AZA: the chapter launched a new website, resurrected the chapter’s newspaper, designed a new logo, unveiled new basketball jerseys, signed 13 new members in the winter BBYO Rush, planned three “six-fold” programs and was one of eight chapters in the world to win the BBYO International Stand UP Gemilut Chasidim Chapter Award for its work to better their community through civic action.
“We have our eyes set on winning BBYO’s Maurice Bisgyer Chapter Excellence Award at next year’s International Convention,” Wexler said. “Two’s AZA is committed to striving for excellence and inspiring others to reach for greatness. No. 2 in the Order, No. 1 in our heart.”
