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Outstanding community leadership and service recognized through Senator Moore’s ninth annual “Commonwealth Awards”
June 4, 2007...For the ninth consecutive year, Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, has recognized high school seniors with who are residents of the Worcester and Norfolk Senatorial District “The Commonwealth Award for Exemplary Community Service.” This year, sixteen students in the opinion of their principals and guidance directors, have distinguished themselves on the basis of their community service activities. “It has long been my belief that public or community service is an important responsibility of every citizen,” said Moore. “When young people involve themselves in their community, in helping others, in seeking solutions to community or societal problems, their efforts should be appropriately recognized.” 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 Sen. 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: Bartlett Junior-Senior High School Kathryn Jolda’s participation in school and community activities has made her a truly highly qualified candidate for the prestigious recognition. Her fundraising efforts, tutoring underclassmen after school and participation in National Honor Society and Student Council exhibits her ability to be a model student at Bartlett Jr. Sr. High School. Bay Path Regional Vocational Technical High School Antonio Trifone, a Plant Maintenance senior, has volunteer at the Southbridge Fire Department to learn the may of the tasks he would need to become an actual firefighter. He also has been attending firefighting classes during his time as a Bay Path student and has completed him EMT certification. He goes out on emergencies on a regular basis as part of the Southbridge EMT squad. Bellingham High School Mia DiFabbio as secretary of her class for four years and as a member of the National Honor Society, she has led innumerable service efforts at Bellingham High School and in the community. This year alone she helped organize the school’s Blood Drive, Meet the Teacher Night and Holiday Toy & Food Drives. Blackstone-Millville Regional High School Jennifer Martain has spent many hours volunteering around the school and in the community. During the summer of 2005 and 2006, she volunteered one day per week at the Blackstone Animal Shelter. She participated in raising funds to provide bullet/stab proof vests for police dogs throughout the state. Other community-based service activities including raking leaves at a local cemetery, a sling a long at the Blackstone Nursing Home, volunteering at the local food pantry and babysitting during town finance/budget meetings. Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School Julianne Lewis is an inspiration to teachers and students alike for her tireless fundraising efforts to benefit cancer research and for spearheading a variety of other endeavors which assist needy individuals. She regularly participates in the Relay for Life Cancer Walk and other similar events, often creating posters, distributing flyers, and manning a table in the school lobby to recruit student participants and sponsors. In addition to cancer research fund raising and school-sponsored community service projects in which she has participated as a member of the Student Council and the recently formed Leo Club, Julianne has personally initiated clothing drives and yard sales to benefit needy people in the community. Douglas High School Kathryn Roy the class of 2007 Valedictorian, consistently goes above and beyond in everything she does, always demonstrating leadership, compassion, and a genuine commitment to her community. Kathryn began her senior project in the summer of 2006 with a plan to open a food pantry for the residents of Douglas and other surrounding towns. Kathryn has worked diligently to plan and implement this program. At the beginning of the yea, the pantry serviced over 200 families in the Blackstone Valley area and she logged 60 hours of work time. In 2007, she continued to work at expanding the project, providing items one might not normally associate with a food pantry. She has been a Class Historian, the Class Secretary, and Treasurer. Hopedale Junior Senior High School Samantha Garner is a bright, versatile, and conscientious young woman whose overall performance throughout her four years at the school has been excellent. She has worked diligently in all that she has accomplished and she has actively involved herself in numerous activities ranging from athletics to peer mediation to and editor of the school yearbook. She has managed a very busy schedule playing sports, offering her time to community service projects, while as the same time maintaining a qualifying average for the National Honor Society. Milford High School Michael Walsh is highly involved with Special Olympics, Youth Athletic Coaching, and organizations that support Special Education Students. A four-year member of the schools Best Buddies Program Michael has serves as vice president and president. Because he has earned the respect and trust of the faculty and administration, Michael was chosen as a mentor for the newly created Peer Mentoring Program. Having undergone an intensive training program, Michael makes “connections” with underclassmen on issues including, but not limited, to peer pressure, ethical behavior, and decision making. He is a highly respected member of his class and is a credit to his family and school. Nipmuc Regional Middle School Gregg Katz formed a new club called “Friends of Seniors” that connected senior citizens with high school students. In two years, Gregg has established a strong bond between the senior citizens of Upton and Mendon. Students in his group teach weekly classes at both towns’ senior center in computer skills. Gregg has grown this club over the past two years and in the process he has been creative, persistent, inspiring and dedicated. Northbridge High School Brittany Perro’s contagious enthusiasm, spirit and leadership intelligence aspires others to explore and step up to the challenge. Her style of leadership is participatory, and certainly one that lends itself to following my example. Brittany is a teacher, a visionary and strategic planner and a dreamer. As student council president, Brittany shares her knowledge freely and frequently. She conducts training sessions, establishes organizational objectives, and motivates those to do more. She has dedicated herself to Student Council, her school and community. Oxford High School Ashley Nicole Snider has distinguished herself among her peers in the number of hours she has performed in community service. Her service is outstanding! She is one of the high school’s best examples of socially responsible citizen. In her service, she has demonstrated self-motivation, leadership, creativity, dedication and commitment. Ashley’s example of involvement has inspired others to participate in community action. Shepherd Hill Regional High School Diana Kach has distinguished herself on the basis on her community service activities. As a four-year member of a very involved Shepherd Hill Student Council, Diana took a giant step in her junior year and successfully ran for secretary of the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils. Diana serves on an elected five-member Student Advisory Committee, also, the Shepherd Hill Regional High School Council, serving as co-chair, and, has also served as student representative on the Town of Dudley’s Board of Selectmen. Southbridge High School Audrey Weber has been a member of the Student Council for four years. In her junior year, Audrey held the position of secretary for the Executive Board and this year she serves as the Historian. Audrey is also a member of the high school Advisory Council and the Regional Student Advisory Council. Audrey has created and directed several Charity Fashion Shows to benefit UNICEF and Heifer International. IN addition, Audrey has chaired committees for Spirit Week, semi-formal dances, rallies, prom and Career Day. Audrey’s remarkable leadership record is unmatched by any other student in her class. Sutton Memorial High School Parker Wellington’s involvement in athletics, band, community volunteering, and leadership positions in student Council and Venture Crew are only a few examples as a testament to his dedication. Parker started off his high school career becoming involved in activities such as peer mediation. As time progressed, his leadership skills soared. As part of Venture Crew, not only does he hold the position of president, but he volunteers as local food shelters and assists in activities for the younger students, such as school dances. He clearly leads by exampled, making him a role model for those around him who respect his caring, contemplative, and amiable nature, not to mention his great sense of humor. Uxbridge High School Megan Cullen has stood out with her natural instinct for volunteering to help others and inspiring other around her to do the same. Megan is also a fine student and there is no doubt that she will continue to have a positive impact on people’s lives. Whitinsville Christian School Leeann Hackett is one of the few students that gives of her free time and energies “just because she wants to.” She is a refreshing reminder of what ‘being a servant is about.” Her gift of “time” will be sorely missed next fall. She is a strong leader. Leann has been very active in outreach programs at the school. She helped organize and raise monies for “Walk to Cure Cancer” in the fall. I believe she helped raise over $1,000. She has been very active as a member of Tour Orchestra participating in an outreach project in March of 2007. She has also had a pivotal role in the annual Operation Christmas Child program. To learn more about Senator Moore’s issues and his work in the Massachusetts Senate, log onto his web site at www.senatormoore.com |
