Northern CT Students Receive North Central Act Of Kindness Award

Press release from MorningBird Media:

Feb. 15, 2021

Each day there are students making a difference in the community – through silent acts of kindness to community-wide events. What began as a small thought for the Miller Family of Miller Farms Family Markets evolved into an anticipated and honorable award for recipients across the Four-Town Region. Miller Farms has proudly partnered with the North Central Chamber of Commerce and other local area businesses to bring the North Central Act of Kindness Award to students across the region.

The North Central Act of Kindness (NCAOK) Award is an adaption of a program that originated in 2014 as an anti-bullying campaign in collaboration with the Enfield School System and quickly evolved into a cherished award ceremony commemorating students in Enfield, Somers and Suffield. The Award is designed to honor students who regularly display redeeming qualities like civic awareness, commitment, kindness and care towards others. The NCAOK Award recognizes leadership and commitment, rather than scholastics or athletics. Each student honored is given a personalized award plaque for their good deeds, a donation made in their name to a charitable organization of their choice and recognition in front of their peers and parents during a monthly gathering to celebrate. As this year brings with it unique challenges, “virtual presentations” have also been introduced to ensure the award is open to all types of learners.

It is the school administrators, teachers and community members who take the time to nominate a respective candidate that displays the theme of “kindness” and the North Central Chamber of Commerce who shares their stories through the news, social media, in their office space at the Enfield Square Mall, and in person by meeting with students and peers in a socially-distanced environment. To encourage kindness within the student population, their photos and stories also hang in their school hallways for other passing students to admire. The most recent students nominated were Diondre Jackson, Sophie Gleeson, Sara Brown and Sydney Bechard of Enfield High School, Serena Robidoux of Somers High School, Nicholas Diana of Avery Middle School, and Jenna Devin and Cassandra Hryniewicz of Suffield High School.

Each student shares a common thread and that is making their school and community a better place through unnoticed daily acts of kindness and compassion. Diondre Jackson was nominated for his kindness displayed in Earth Science and ability to bring his classmates together, even in a remote setting. Sophie Gleeson was chosen because of her displays of leadership and kindly making sure that her classmates stay on task- she is the student that all her peers want to work with. Sara Brown has spent the last 4 years actively involved in Best Buddies and has always displayed dedication and patience to her fellow peers. Sydney Bechard received the award for always assisting struggling students during hybrid learning without hesitation. From Somers, Serena Robidoux accepted the award for her uplifting attitude toward her teachers by acknowledging their efforts through delivery of homemade baked goods and Thank You cards to staff in the building. Emma Waters was awarded for treating everyone equally and respectfully and her constant display of encouragement. 6th grader, Aubrielle Hevey, was nominated for being a conscientious student and a role model to her school and community. From Suffield, Nicholas Diana was given the kindness award for always having a positive attitude and putting others before himself. Jenna Devin and Cassie Hryniewicz were nominated by a local citizen for a Civics project that helps the elderly shop for their groceries. The program they created continues to go above and beyond the scope of their school project and has received donations from local area businesses to help sustain and grow their efforts.

This award is not possible without the support of the local community- Platinum sponsors, Rich’s Oil Service, Home Helpers of Enfield and Miller Farms Family Markets graciously offer their support as the primary sponsors of the program along with our Bronze sponsors Costco and State Farm. The program is also made possible by support from Asnuntuck Community College, Keating Real Estate and Enfield Community Credit Union. To get involved with the program, please contact the North Central CT Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the efforts of these students and the charities they chose, visit the North Central CT Chamber of Commerce or MorningBird Media Facebook Page.

Last year alone, this award recognized about 60 students in Enfield, Somers and Suffield and donated almost $3,000 to 52 charities locally and around the world.

This press release was produced by MorningBird Media. The views expressed here are the author's own.