Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MAy 24, 2024 We pay tribute and honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA 01906 WINWASTESAUGUS.COM Saugus Unsung Hero Awards 2024 Seven students honored for their work to make Saugus Public Schools a better place to learn By Mark E. Vogler T he good deeds and contributions of unsung heroes that lead to the betterment of their communities often go unnoticed. But Saugus Public Schools spent more than an hour Tuesday (May 21) in the spacious lobby of the Saugus Middle High School Complex celebrating seven talented students who make the world a better place for their classmates without getting the credit they deserve. “ You should be ver y proud,” School Superintendent Michael Hashem told the recipients of this year’s Saugus Unsung Hero Awards. Hashem called it “a tremendous honor,” and “a job well done.” The students sat at several tables with their families, munching on pizza and sandwiches as teachers and their principals summed up their contributions and why they were being cited for special recognition. This year’s honorees: • From the Veterans Early Learning Center – Pedro Amarilla and Gwen Thurston. • The Belmonte STEAM Academy – Reese DelMuto • Saugus Middle School – Luis Fung Chen and Victoria Vannah • Saugus High School – Jordan Chantha and Kathryn De Souza Each of the students received a star-shaped trophy and citations from the Massachusetts House of Representatives, the Massachusetts Senate and the Saugus Board of Selectmen. The event is organized annually by the Saugus Business Education Collaborative and Saugus Public Schools. WIN Waste Innovations again sponsored the event. The Unsung Hero Awards program seeks to recognize academic effort, character, maturity, school citizenship and contributions to the Saugus community. Peter Rossetti Jr., a member of the Saugus Business Education Collaborative, noted that the students being recognized are “the kids who aren’t necessarily the smartest kids in the class … but ones you can always count on.” “Two incredible seniors” The two High School students selected as this year’s “Unsung Heroes” are top senior students in the Class of 2024 who will be receiving their diplomas next Friday night (May 31) at the school’s 153rd commencement exercises. “She’s a true leader behind the scenes,” Saugus Middle High School Principal Brendon Sullivan said of Kathryn De Souza, who ranked third in this year’s graduating class, with a 4.6 grade point average. De Souza plans to attend UMass Lowell in the fall for software engineering and computer science. Sullivan noted she was a role model and assistant to middle school drama club tech, crew, set design, lighting control and production and an usher. She was a member of Students in Action and was also a Young Feminist Alliance activist. De Souza was a recipient of the National Hispanic Recognition Award and the Smith Book Award. In introducing Saugus High senior Jordan Chantha, Sullivan called him “a scholar and social justice activist” whose contributions to the school “helped make it a safer and more inclusive place.” Chantha plans to attend Suffolk University in the fall STUDENT ROLE MODELS: This year’s “Unsung Hero Award” winners showed their trophies after being recognized during a special presentation this week at the Saugus Middle High School Complex. Pictured from left to right: Front row: Reese DelMuto, Pedro Amarilla and Gwen Thurston; back row: Jordan Chantha, Kathryn De Souza and Luis Fung Chen. Missing from the photo is Victoria Vannah. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) to study prelaw and international relations as a first generation student. He is fluent in English and Khmer. Sullivan cited Chantha’s work as a volunteer with Bayon Medical Group LLC, providing linguistic needs for patients from Cambodian backgrounds, assisting with scheduling and organizing health. He served as Secretary-General & President of Model United Nations. He was the recipient of the Brandeis University Book Award. “Two incredible seniors who always represent Saugus High in a positive light,” Sullivan said. Outstanding Middle School students Sullivan highlighted the scholastic accomplishments and character traits that led to two members of the Saugus High School graduating Class of 2028 being selected among this year’s “Unsung Heroes.” He said Victoria Vannah “brightens the room with her smile and positive attitude every day.” Vannah “embodies the spirit of Saugus Middle High School through her many HERO AWARDS| SEE PAGE 13
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