PEABODY — This past year has been tough on everyone, especially for young students who have had plenty extra to worry about on their plates.
However, a pair of Higgins Middle Schools students have not only excelled in the classroom, but have also gone above and beyond in their community.
Eighth graders Connie Patturelli and Noah Crocker are this week’s Peabody co-students of the week for their work as the school’s ambassadors to Project 351.
The program itself has a fairly simple goal — give young students the resources, mentors and platforms they need to make their communities a better place through community service.
Crocker and Patturelli first got involved last year.
“Last year in seventh grade we started working with former ambassadors, Logan and John,” Crocker said. “They gave us an opportunity to work with them on a few different projects and we were fortunate to be selected by (Principal Todd Bucey). We grew close with them and Mr. Bucey and last summer Connie and I were selected to be ambassadors for this year.”
Project 351 was started in 2011 by then Gov. Deval Patrick. Since then its ambassador and alumni community stands at 3,753 strong, with more than 980,000 lives positively impacted through community service projects.
Patturelli and Crocker have spent the last year in the program, culminating in several local food and clothing drives they’ve spearheaded with the program’s help.
“During the beginning of the year in January we did a food drive,” Patturelli said. “Now, this upcoming May we’re excited about starting a clothing drive with the city’s elementary schools.”
“We usually help organize a lot of it, take charge and take people to help with us,” Crocker said. “I think just knowing that the donations we’re receiving are going to a good cause and to someone who needs it. That’s inspiring work.”
Inspiring is a fitting word for two students who do it all. Patturelli has a passion for science and also plays soccer and lacrosse outside of school. Crocker has had his interest peaked by social studies and math and also hits the baseball field and basketball court after school. Balancing it all isn’t easy by any means, but the pair get the job done just fine.
“It’s hard but we manage it,” Crocker said. “We make it work and really have fun doing it.”
It’s been a rewarding experience for a pair that’s sure to accomplish and do more in the years to come. But for now, they’re just happy to be returning to school. Higgins Middle School, which is currently hybrid, is set to return to full in-person on Wednesday.
“I’ve been really grateful to be in the school instead of being fully remote at all,” Patturelli said. “And I’m getting really excited for us to be fully in person soon.”
