Local JA Volunteers Recognized for their Outstanding Efforts

May 23, 2008

(Holyoke, MA) On Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the Baystate Reference Laboratories Conference Center, over 100 local JA supporters gathered to recognize the highlights of this school year. Outgoing Chair, Sandra Magyar, Director of Public and Member Relations for MMWEC presided over the Spirit of Achievement Awards Dinner, sponsored through the generosity of Baystate Health, Inc.

The group heard from three outstanding guest speakers. Patrick Kayego, a Senior at Elms College and JA Volunteer in Holyoke and Springfield spoke about the lessons he learned since coming to the US from Africa four years ago and how he used those lessons to help the young people in his JA programs. Natalie Morales, a fifth grader from Mary Lynch School in Springfield spoke eloquently about her JA Our Nation program and the impact the JA High School Heroes volunteers had on her learning this year. Natalie thanked the JA volunteers for their hard work and time and urged JA donors to continue to support JA programs so that one day she can grow up to be a JA High School Hero. Jaylen Franklin , a fifth grader from Litwin School in Chicopee brought tears to the audiences’ eyes with his poem, “A Man I Know” dedicated to Mitch Kuzdzal, his JA Volunteer and retired principal of Chicopee High School.

Following the inspirational words from our young people, awards were presented to many companies, schools and individuals. Mitch Kuzdzal was honored as JA Volunteer of the Year. Beth Hawley, a teacher at Our Lady of Hope School in Springfield was recognized as JA Teacher of the Year. Gold Peak Performance awards which recognize outstanding commitment to JA were given to Sharon Dufour from Luso Federal Credit Union; Dale Diefenderfer, from Johnson & Johnson; and Julie Pelletier from the RSVP Volunteer Program in Pittsfield. Nancy Ritz, from the YMCA of Greater Springfield, Michelle Anamisis from the YMCA of Greater Westfield, Paula Moore from YSET, Jane Kuzdzal from Chicopee, Carol Alaimo from Spalding Sports, Vicki Hicks from Leeds Elementary School and Erika Mack from Mountain View School received Silver Peak Performance awards. Schools recognized for 100% student participation in JA included Leeds Elementary, Homer Street School, Memorial School, Soule Road School, Mary Lynch School, St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Patrick School, St. John the Baptist School, St. Mary’s School in Ware, and St. Mark School in Pittsfield.

Awards were also presented to the thirteen JA Volunteer Coordinators who are the backbone of JA and help provide JA programs to over 2,200 students in their local areas. Those recognized were: Carol Alaimo, Sharon Dufour, Dale Diefenderfer, Pam Gustafson. Vicki Hicks, Karen Bryant, Donna Cirillo, Kerry Calnan, Christine Irujo, Brenda Canning, Anne Potter, Peggy Doyle, and Mary McCarthy.

Awards were also presented to local businesses for the financial and volunteer support of JA. Gold Medal Awards in recognition of contributions of more than $10,000 were presented to Bank of America Foundation, MassMutual Financial Group, St. Germain Investments Management , Country Bank, Easthampton Saving Bank, The Irene E and George A. Davis Foundation, TD Banknorth, and Yankee Candle. Partnership Awards which recognize both financial and/or volunteer support were given to: Berkshire Bank Foundation for the Springfield Schools; The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for the JA High School Heroes program; Country Bank for the Ware Public Schools; GE Plastics for the Pittsfield Schools; Luso Federal Credit Union for Memorial School in Wilbraham; MassMutual Financial Group for JA in a Day at Central High School; Monson Savings Bank for Quarry Hill School in Monson; RSVP Volunteers for Pittsfield Schools; United Bank Foundation for East Longmeadow Schools; Waste Management for JA in a Day at Mosier Elementary School, and TD Banknorth for JA Kindergarten programs throughout Western Massachusetts and JA in a Day at Chestnut Accelerated Middle School.

Junior Achievement also took time to recognize the outstanding efforts and dedication of its Board members. Phil B. Goncalves from Country Bank received the Richard A. Siska Award for embodying every good and positive aspect of JA. Margaret LaMotte from MassMutual and Donald Wesson from Veritech each received the JA Worldwide Bronze Leadership Award for their outstanding service to JA.

President of JA of Western Massachusetts, Jennifer Connolly closed the event by highlighting some of the accomplishments of the year including 450 JA volunteers teaching 575 JA classes and reaching over 11,000 throughout western Massachusetts. She noted that it was the most successful year in JA’s 89 year history and urged everyone to continue to support JA so that other youth can have the experience that the High School Heroes at Central High School as well as Natalie and Jaylen had.

About Junior Achievement
Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to educating young people about business, economics and free enterprise. Through a dedicated volunteer network, JA provides in-school and after-school programs for students in grades K-12. JA offers educational programs that focus on seven key content areas: business, citizenship, economics, entrepreneurship, ethics/character, financial literacy, and career development. Today more than Junior Achievement Worldwide reaches almost seven million students in 98 countries. For more information, visit www.jawm.org.