Plainville Community Schools’ annual Volunteer Recognition Dinner and Awards Program was held on May 22nd, at Plainville High School. This year's theme was “Fiesta!” More than 100 school volunteers, Board of Education members, administrators and staff were present to enjoy an evening of food, friends, and recognition. The event provided an opportunity to thank Plainville’s school volunteers for their time and commitment that they make to students across the district. Volunteers share their time and talent in many capacities including mentoring, tutoring, serving as classroom helpers and reading partners, in parent-teacher organizations, as athletic backers, and more.
The program featured guest speaker, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Maureen Brummett. Plainville High School Italian teacher Maria Colangelo “emceed” the event sharing “Mexican- themed trivia” throughout the night. Guests enjoyed a photo booth manned by Plainville High School students and faculty member Eric Bosley, and volunteers won door prizes donated from area businesses which were raffled throughout the evening.
Volunteer award winners were also recognized during the program. The 2018-2019 Mentor of the Year Award recipient was Webster Bank employee, Dean Barucci, who mentors a student at Linden Street School. Dean has been a mentor in the school district for five years, currently mentoring third grader Julian Tessada. Dean was nominated by Linden staff members Julie Garceau, Sheri Boudewyns, Sue McGough and Gina Leonetti. Julie Garceau noted, “Patience, Kindness and Consistency are some of the things that make up a great mentor. These are the things that make Dean the mentor that he is and are the very things that are helping Julian to become the person he is. A Linden staff member shared, “The excitement on Julian’s face as he comes to the office for lunch on Thursdays is heartwarming. The laughter that is heard between the two is priceless.”
Nancy Gennett was the recipient of the 2018-2019 Volunteer of the Year Award. Nancy is an extraordinary volunteer who loves to give back to her community. She has been a mentor for eight years and contributes her time and creative input to several committees, including the Career Day Committee and the Family Fun Fest Committee. Plainville High School staff member Oneda Lamont shared, “Nancy is always eager to contribute and help support the goals we have in the school district.”
At the close of the program, Volunteer Coordinator Sue Bradley thanked the volunteers for their gift of time and all of the ways they support the students in the district. She also presented volunteers with pins for years of service. Multiple volunteers were recognized for their 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20+ years of service.
“Mr. Barucci and Ms. Gennett have done outstanding work in our district and are most deserving of these honors. We could not do many of the programs and services that we do in Plainville, such as our mentoring and Reading Partners, without the talents and dedication of all of our volunteers,” noted Superintendent Brummett.