Seekonk Public Schools: Seekonk's Aitken Elementary Second-Grader Connor Gallagher Announced As Feinstein Foundation Jr. Scholar Golden ...

Press release from the Seekonk Public Schools:

Taylor O'Neil

March 24, 2021

Superintendent Rich Drolet and Aitken Elementary School Principal John Haidemenos are pleased to share that Aitken Elementary second-grader Connor Gallagher was announced as a Feinstein Jr. Scholar Golden Ticket winner.

During the week of March 1, Gallagher’s Feinstein Foundation Jr. Scholar Golden Ticket was chosen as the winning ticket of the week.

“As a Jr. Scholar, Connor is encouraged by the Feinstein Foundation to help those in need,” Principal Haidemenos said. “As a Golden Ticket winner, Connor has the opportunity to donate funds from the foundation to a charity of his choice. It’s great to see the foundation foster the philanthropic efforts of our students and recognize our Jr. Scholars’ dedication to helping others.”

As the Golden Ticket winner, Gallagher received a $500 grant that he can donate to either his school or a non-profit of his choice. Gallagher chose to donate his grant to the Doorways Food Pantry, a local food pantry that supports Seekonk residents.

In addition to his $500 grant, Gallagher was presented with a Feinstein Foundation winning package on March 11 by Principal Haidemenos and Assistant Principal Dave Graf. The winning package included a Feinstein Foundation sweatshirt, a commemorative coin from an Apollo Mission, an autograph from Feinstein Foundation founder Alan Shawn Feinstein and a Golden Ticket winner certificate. 

The Aitken Elementary School also received a $5,000 grant from the Feinstein Foundation alongside Gallagher’s Golden Ticket. The School Committee voted to accept the grant at its meeting on Monday, March 22.

“We are pleased to share that Connor was the first Golden Ticket winner within the Aitken Elementary School,” Superintendent Drolet said. “We are thankful to the Feinstein Foundation for recognizing Connor and also for its generous donations to him and our district.”

Added Superintendent Drolet, “We recognized Connor at our last School Committee Meeting and it was great to acknowledge him along with his family in person. We celebrated his benevolent act of donating to our local food pantry, which should be commended.” 

This press release was produced by the Seekonk Public Schools. The views expressed here are the author’s own.