THE REVERE ADVOCATE – Friday, January 17, 2020 Page 13 CHAMPIONS | FROM PAGE 1 cator. Mariya Emille Inocentes received the Youth Health Leader Award for her impressive personal growth and leadership skills. Dr. Dianne Kelly received the Community Partner Award for her loyalty and commitment to serve Revere youths and their families in the best way possible. Techrosette Leng received the City Partner Award for her collaboration and support in developing the coalition’s new direction of workforce development. And Dr. Josh Vadala received the Community Partner Award for his valuable contributions to the coalition’s initiatives. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly, in a personal interview, said her role as a facilitator is far less signifi cant since Revere CARES fosters change. Dr. Kelly said together, they partner with parents and faculty to fi nd ways to make the school community healthier. “We fi nd ways to leverage shared resources and work collaboratively,” Kelly said. “I’m very thankful to be receiving this award.” Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Josh Vadala also received the Community Partner Award. He said they have worked together on initiatives, such as combatting the opioid and vaping epidemic, and addressing menRevere CARES Director Dr. Sylvia Chiang-Raposo, City Partner Award winner Techrosette Leng, Revere on the Move Champion award winner Damian DeMarco, Community Partner Award winners Dr. Josh Vadala and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly, Youth Health Leader Award Mariya Emille Inocentes, Revere CARES Program/Communications Manager Viviana Cataño and Mayor Brian Arrigo. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) tal health issues. “What impresses me the most is that they consistently reach out and ask what we need and how they can help,” Dr. Vadala said. “With that, they’re true partners.” Vadala said he’s incredibly honored to be recognized by Revere CARES and that their partnership has been instrumental to the Revere Public Schools. Damian DeMarco, a steward for the Gibson Park Community Garden Beehive, who received the Revere on the Move Champion Award for his dedication and contribution to the Urban Farming Initiative in his role as beekeeper and educator, helped to manage a 60-bee hive at Gibson Park throughout the summer and fall. “The purpose was to educate the community that bees are quiet, hardworking and don’t bother anyone unless they’re a fl ower,” DeMarco said. “Their cousins, yellowjackets, may come after you at the family picnic.” Since Revere CARES financed the $700 hive that produced three frames of honey, he doesn’t feel that he deserved the recognition. “I was surprised and happy to be able to do this,” DeMarco said. For Mariya Emille Inocentes, who CARING LEADERS: Supt. of Revere Public Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly was the recipient of the Community Partner Award for facilitating healthy changes to the public school system. Pictured are Revere CARES Director Dr. Sylvia Chiang-Raposo, Kelly, and Mayor Brian Arrigo. Members of the community were honored by Revere CARES during their annual event at the Marina @ The Wharf Restaurant this past week. (Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) received the Youth Health Leader Award, it was more her impressive personal growth and leadership skills. Moving to the United States from the Philippines in 2016, which is a very conservative country, she wasn’t used to advocating for any type of issue. A Revere High School ’20 student, she spoke at the State House about youth funding for summer jobs in summer 2018 and facilitated an anti-vaping campaign in 2018. “I was shy but learned to speak my mind about issues,” said Mariya, whose top choice is Simmons College as a nursing major. “I’m very overwhelmed and humbled.” City Planner Techrosette Leng won the City Partner Award for her role as Project Manager for Next Stop Revere, a long-term solution for a city that is growing and changMariya Emille Inocentes won the Youth Health Leader Award for her personal growth and leadership skills in speaking out about issues that matter to her, as a shy student. Damian DeMarco won the Revere on the Move Champion Award for upkeep of a beehive at Gibson Park last summer. From left to right: Revere CARES Director Dr. Sylvia Chiang-Raposo, DeMarco and Mayor Brian Arrigo. ing (the Master Plan), and for hospitality training. Chiang-Raposo said Leng supports the coalition’s new direction of workforce development. And she says she’s just getting started. “There’s so much opportunity ahead to connect residents to jobs with new developers who want to strengthen the city,” Leng said. “I’m humbled and grateful to have gotten the award, but it’s important to acknowledge the community schools, district leadership, training programs and teachers who played a role.” Tara Vocino may be reached at printjournalist1@gmail.com.
14 Publizr Home