|
May 10, 2006 - “The best measure of success is whether someone has made a positive difference in the lives of others,” Senator Richard T. Moore (D-Uxbridge) stated in announcing the recipients of the 2006 Commonwealth Award for Exemplary Community Service. This year there are 17 outstanding high school seniors selected to receive the prestigious award.
“I have always believed that those of our youth who give themselves to help others in their community should be applauded and encouraged. Young people who see problems and try to solve them, who see a community need and try to fill it, who light a candle rather than curse the darkness; these are the type of people who are honored by the Commonwealth Award,” Senator Moore explained.
For the eighth consecutive year, Senator Moore has recognized high school seniors who are residents of the Worcester and Norfolk Senatorial District who, in the opinion of their principals and guidance directors, have distinguished themselves on the basis of their community service activities. Senator Moore established the award program in 1999. Award selection is based primarily upon the significance and extent of the service and the relevance of these activities to addressing solutions to profound community and societal problems.
High school principals or guidance counselors in the schools of Senator Moore’s district nominated the senior who, in their opinion, most clearly demonstrates the following criteria (only one senior per high school may be nominated):
• The student must have performed community service that has surpassed what is ordinarily expected of a socially responsible citizen.
• The student must have demonstrated self-motivation, leadership, creativity, dedication, and commitment to pursuing their service.
• The student must have involved and inspired others to participate in community action.
Grade point averages, SAT scores, and school club memberships are not significant factors in selection. The emphasis is on outstanding service, not scholarship or traditional extra-curricular activity.
The high schools located in the towns in the Worcester and Norfolk Senatorial District are: Bellingham, Blackstone-Millville, Shepherd Hill (Dudley resident), Douglas, Hopedale, Milford, Northbridge, Oxford, Southbridge, Sutton, Uxbridge, and Webster. Students from those towns within the district who attend Bay Path Vocational – Technical High School in Charlton, Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational – Technical High School in Upton or Nipmuc Regional High School in Upton, Norfolk County Agricultural School or Whitinsville Christian School in Northbridge are also eligible for nomination.
A list of the winners is included below, with a summary of their achievements as stated in the letter of nomination:
Hopedale Junior Senior High School
Ashley Palmer has a drive and focus about her that is refreshing and impressive. She has channeled boundless energy into an active Student Council. Her selection as Student Council President this year is a true testament to the impression she makes on both groups as this class has many involved leaders who could have filled this role. As a leader, her ability to balance, her dedication and her motivation are contagious. Her membership and involvement in the National Honor Society further attest to her ability to se goals and to meet high expectations in academics and community service.
Bartlett Junior-Senior High School
Paul Vanderhoof performs community service as a good citizen of the National Honor Society and has also provided help far beyond the walls of Bartlett. Paul volunteers after school in the PASS Program at Webster Middle School, organizing activities with 5th and 6th grade students. Paul has also organized a music venture PAVLOV (Peace Above Violence, Love Over Victimization) that addresses domestic and dating violence and child abuse. He has organized a church yard sale benefiting the victim of Hurricane Katrina. Paul also participated in various small-scale activities such as Toys for Tots, coat drives and cancer walks.
Sutton Memorial High School
Stephanie Kotseas is currently the president of the Sutton High Student Council, a member of the peer leaders and a flautist in the Sutton High School band. Stephanie was recognized early on as a freshman for community service for coordination of Sutton’s Toys for Tots program. She was chosen as a junior, to be inducted in to the Nation Honor Society. Stephanie has participated in a Walk for Homeless and ran a half marathon to raise money for the Jimmy fund.
Uxbridge High School
Suzanne Healy-Wurzburg has stood out with her natural instinct for volunteering to help others and inspiring others around her to do the same. Suzy is also a fine student and there is not doubt that she will continue to have a positive impact on people’s lives.
Bellingham High School
Jolie Frechette is the president of the National Honor Society. She has led innumerable service efforts here at Bellingham High School. This year alone, she organized a blood drive, Meet the Teacher Night and peer tutoring program.
Milford High School
Laura Brandt is a young woman of exceptional talents and abilities. More significantly, she is one of the most kind-hearted, sincere, thoughtful individuals. Humble in her accomplishments and clearly appreciative of her good fortune, Laura is active in her church community and spends most of her free time helping others. In fact, Laura has invested just about all her free time in working with “Circle of Friends” and Special Olympics programs.
Northbridge High School
Michael Nedoroscik consistently demonstrates responsibility, achievement, mutual respect and service to his school, community and to his fellow mankind. Michael does so without expectation of reward, self adulation and fanfare. Michael just simply does what he does because he feels in his heart it’s what you do. He is 7th in his class of 15. He is also a member of one of the most service-oriented, academically talented classes. He holds a part time job, plays lacrosse and is also an Eagle Scout.
Douglas High School
Kelly E. Maurer has truly gone above and beyond in performing community service that has benefited others. Over the past three years, she has donated more than 200 hours of her time to the Natick Summer School Academics program, teaching two photography courses to students in grades 4-8. She has also gives 12 hours of his time to the Special Olympics in Boston, four hours to the Whitinsville Day in the Park program and 10 hours at the Douglas Public Library. In addition, she participated in the Jimmy Fund Walk in 2004 and 2005.
Blackstone-Millville Regional High School
Paulina Mikulko is a dynamic person who has a sense of community, direction, work ethic and insight. Paulina, a leader by role model, recognizes the educational value and common good with giving back to the community. She is the recipient of the Daughters of American Revolution Award. In conjunction with the Blackstone-Millville Chapter of the National Honor Society, she has mastered the art of managing academics, employment and social life.
Nipmuc Regional Middle School
Erica Drescher is strong of character, an outstanding student and committed to her communities – school, town and country. As president of the student council it was Erica who, after the Katrina disaster, created “Community Caring Month.” Erica pulled together groups within the school, extended invitations to the community and created a phenomenally successful month-long campaign of community ideas that helped the victims of Katrina. Had it not been for her leadership skills and her follow though, the results would not have been quite as successful.
Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School
Aliesha Lowell has demonstrated outstanding community service and leadership since her entrance to Bay Path. She has volunteered at the Webster/Dudley Boys and Girls Club throughout her high school education as well as participating in SADD for three years, Planet Project program and Skills USA program placing with a silver medal in the district competition. She is also a member of the Coop program and works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Oakwood Rehab and Nursing Facility.
Shepherd Hill Regional High School
Jennifer Duval epitomizes the high level of involvement in both the school and local communities. She can be described as a person that “gets the job done” and does so with grace and humility. Jen has been a steadfast member of the Student Council, a student member of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School Committee and New England Association of School and College’s self-study group, and a member of the National Honor Society. Jen has also served as an elected class officer, on the Regional Student Council Advisory Council and as an athletic director student assistant.
Southbridge High School
Richard C. LeBlanc II assumed the responsibilities and challenges necessary to achieve an outstanding record as a school leader. His extraordinary record of participation in student government in concert with sustained involvement in community service paralleled his record of academic excellence. He ranks third in his graduating class. His remarkable leadership record is unmatched by any other student in the school’s recent history.
Oxford High School
Michael Joseph Arsenault has distinguished himself among his peers in the number of hours he has performed in community service. His service is outstanding! He is one of the high school’s best examples of a socially responsible citizen. In his service he has demonstrated self-motivation, leadership, creativity, dedication and commitment. Michael’s example of involvement has inspired others to participate in community action.
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School
Modesto Montero is an engaging, outgoing and personable young man. As president of the Valley Tech Student Council, he is responsible for initiating and directing a whole variety of community service projects undertaken by the Council each year. His memberships in the Valley Tech chapter of the National Honor Society and SkillsUSA also have annual community service requirements which he easily exceeds each year as a major contributor to school sponsored projects such as Red Cross blood drives; holiday fundraising to provide meals, clothing and gifts for needy families, and disaster relief drives.
Whitinsville Christian School
Brittany Kolodziej is very disciplined and organized and has a very sincere desire to help those around her. She is constantly engaged in peer counseling as well as serving our broader community in a wide range of events. She is very active in her church youth group serving in a leadership role as well as a volunteer in the Crusader Outreach Committee. She has also actively participated in “The Walk for Cancer” for the past two years.
Norfolk County Agricultural High School
Emily Guiod’s academic and vocational accomplishments coupled with her extensive community service distinguish her in school and in the community. Emily’s community service is not limited to Massachusetts. She and her family have traveled to Virginia to volunteer in the Rikki Animal Shelter. In school Emily is an Honor Roll student and the president of the National Honor Society. She manages to combine a challenging academic course load, a busy extracurricular life and community service with grace and maturity.
To learn more about Senator Moore’s issues and his work in the Massachusetts Senate, log onto his web site at
www.senatormoore.com
|
