SAUGUS — Nine Saugus Public Schools students were presented Unsung Hero Awards by the Saugus Business Education Collaborative (SBEC) on Thursday.
Jake Hogan and CJ Surette of Saugus High School, Nathaniel Chadwick and Sumayyah Iratni of Belmonte Middle School, Vance Knowles and Silene Pires Oliveria of Veterans Memorial Elementary, Ayva Torres of Lynnhurst Elementary, Vittoria Valentine of Oaklandvale, and Kiara McCarthy of Waybright Elementary were honored for their academic efforts and contributions to their school community during a rolling parade that visited each recipient’s home yesterday afternoon.
“We are happy to be able to continue this tradition of honoring the students,” SBEC President John Smolinsky said. “The Unsung Hero Award is a special event because it recognizes students for being overall good individuals. I appreciate all the efforts of the SBEC and Wheelabrator Saugus to make this event happen for our students.”
With the awards ceremony, originally scheduled for the end of March, having been cancelled due to the restrictions on large gatherings, Wheelabrator Saugus and the SBEC joined forces to bring the presentations to each student’s home. The Saugus Police and Fire departments participated, arriving at the homes with sirens blazing.
Students’ principals and teachers spoke of the qualities that made them worthy of the recognition. Pictures were taken with proud family members and elected officials including Selectmen Anthony Cogliano and Debra Panetta, School Committee members Tom Whittredge and Dennis Gould, and State Rep. Donald Wong.
Students are selected for the Unsung Hero award, sponsored by Wheelabrator Saugus, based on a number of factors, including academic effort, character, maturity, personality, standing among peers and staff, school citizenship, and contributions to the entire school community.
Recipients each receive a trophy and gift card, as well as a citation from State Representative Donald Wong.
“We congratulate and commend these Unsung Heroes for the positive role they have played in their school community,” said Wheelabrator Market Manager John Farese, who is a SBEC board member. “Even though we could not stage the traditional celebration, we wanted to make sure these students get the recognition they deserve. They are a credit to their school, their family and their community.”
