Students honored for community service

LYNN – Pickering Middle School eighth-grader Sidney Denham has been doing community service since she was in the sixth grade, but it was only recently she was called out on it and in a big way.Denham along with classmate Alex Rodriguez, Marshall Middle School eighth-grader Aldo Zacarias and Breed Middle School student Jayden Lowe were each honored with a John F. Kennedy Make a Difference Award. The awards were handed out March 13 during a luncheon at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.The students were each nominated by a teacher or principal “for an outstanding contribution they have made to their school, neighborhood, town or global community.”Rodriguez said he was surprised to learn he had won the award.”I helped out at a food pantry, and I helped kids play Challenger Baseball,” he said.Rodriguez said he had a friend already involved in Challenger Baseball.”He said it was fun, so I did it ? it was,” Rodriguez said.The Challenger League shares its home with East Lynn Little League. As a buddy, Rodriguez is assigned a player, whom he “helps” during games.Lowe was recognized by the Kennedy Library for his part in an anti-bullying campaign. Unfortunately, bullying is something Lowe knows about first-hand, which is why the program is important to him, he said.When asked if he was ever bullied, he said, “Yes, in elementary school.”Lowe said the campaign brought students together, invited people to speak about their experiences then brainstormed ideas to prevent and stop bullying from happening.”I think it went well,” he said.Zacarias was recognized for helping at My Brother’s Table.”I don’t do it all the time, but I like it,” he said. “I go with my church.”When she was in the sixth grade, Denham joined a newly formed club, “Pickering Voices,” which focused on community service.”It was a new group when I was in the sixth grade and I just stayed with it,” she said.Through Pickering Voices, Denham has helped collect clothing, money, worked to stop bullying in her school and made bracelets for autism for the kids at school.The students each received a personalized certificate recognizing their work.”President Kennedy believed that every person can make a difference and each of us should try,” said Library Director Tom Putnam. “These students are an inspiring example of JFK’s timeless call to service.”