SAY It Proud Awards

Congratulations to the Pittsfield Prevention Partnership’s SAY It Proud Award Winners!

Five teens were presented with SAY It Proud Awards at the Melville Block Party in September 2011. 

1.  Cindy Chou:  Nominated by Marietta Rapetti-Cawse, a guidance counselor at Pittsfield High School. Cindy performed volunteer service at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Santuary this past summer.  According to the education coordinator there, Cindy was kind, caring and made activities fun for the preschool children she worked with.  She was ready and willing to chip in with any task that needed doing. 
2.  Kevin Fischer:  Nominated by Frank LaFrazia at Barrington Stage Co. Kevin is a 10th grader at Pittsfield High School, who has been a program participant at Barrington Stage for two years.  He has stepped up as a leader in the KidsAct! and the Playwright Mentoring Projects, bringing a positive attitude to all his work.  A tireless worker, team player and consummate volunteer, Kevin is an up and coming student leader. 
3.  Evan Skubel: Nominated by Ransom E. Northrup, a counselor at the Juvenile Resource Center. Evan is a sophomore at Taconic High School.  This past summer he took summer classes to earn credits toward graduation and scored a 95 or higher in all his classes.  During the summer, he also helped at home with younger siblings and jobs around the house.  Ransom considers him “one hard working young man!”
4.  Isaac King:  Nominated by Ransom Northrup.  Isaac was nominated for his enthusiastic participation in the 21st Century After School program and the summer Community Service Learning Program.  During the summer, the group collectively decided to work to clean up graffiti in Pittsfield.  Isaac is a strong youth leader. 
5.  Tori Peaselee:  Nominated by Ransom Northrup.  Tori also joined the 21st Century Community Service Learning Group this past summer.  She is going to be a senior at PHS, and recently earned her CAN license.  During her graffiti cleaning work, she connected with Officer Derby of the Pittsfield Police Department and is now interested in pursuing her education in Criminal Justice.  Tori was also featured in the PPP’s Totally Free billboard campaign in 2009-2010. 

The PPP continues to accept nominations on a rolling basis.  We are especially looking for those teens who are making healthy decisions, overcoming challenges, working hard and who are not ordinarily rewarded for their good work in other venues.  Please click on the link below to download the nomination form and fill it out today. 
SAY It Proud Nomination Form

The PPP is also looking for community members to become active volunteers in the S.A.Y. It Proud work group.  The work group meets about 4-7 times a year to discuss ways to gather nominations, determine award venues, review nominations, contact winners and nominators, and in other ways support the awards process.  If you are interested in volunteering for this work group, please contact the PPP at:  (413) 442-6948. 

The SAY It Proud Award winners received VISA gift cards from Greylock Federal Credit Union and a teen membership to the Pittsfield Family YMCA.  Thanks to our sponsors for making the gift package so generous!