Above: Among the recent honorees in our community, three were linked to NSBORO schools (L-R Safdar Medina and Mary Ellen Duggan from NSBORO newsletter and contributed pic of Betsy Bertonazzi)
Over the past week, six community members received special honors. I’m rounding them up into one post.
Mass School Nurses honor two NSBORO employees – NSboro News – Tuesday, March 19, 2024:
Superintendent Gregory Martineau shared news in last week’s newsletter about two members of the Northborough-Southborough Public Schools community:
Mary Ellen Duggan, District Wellness Coordinator and Nurse Leader was awarded the School Nurse Administrator of the Year award at the Massachusetts School Nurses Organization (MNSO) meeting held on Saturday, March 16, 2024. At the meeting, Dr. Safdar Medina, The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough District Physician and Doctor at UMASS Memorial Medical Group, received the Friends of School Nurses award. The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough are fortunate to have two dedicated, caring, and wellness-centered people serving students, faculty, staff, and families.
Prior to her promotion, Duggan was Woodward school’s nurse and the first winner of Southborough Youth & Family Service’s annual Laurie Sugarman-Whittier Wellness Award.
Medina is a Southborough resident and Vice Chair of the Board of Health.
Gonk Girls Hockey player earns Sportsmanship Award – MIAA:
The MIAA partnered with the Boston Bruins to honor one member of each high school ice hockey league with the 2024 Boston Bruins-MIAA Sportsmanship Award. Algonquin junior, Southborough resident Betsy Bertonazzi won the honor for her league. The announcement includes the following quote from the Titans’ Head Coach, Tina Cardinale-Beauchemin:
Betsy embodies all the characteristics of not only an extremely coachable athlete, but also an amazing teammate that has the utmost respect for anyone she encounters both on and off the ice. In fact, she has only received one penalty over her 3 years. She is a selfless player that puts her team first as demonstrated in her willingness to play any position when called upon while constantly encouraging and supporting her teammates. She has had to overcome some injuries but continues to push through with a smile. Her positive energy and enthusiasm serve as an inspiration. Betsy’s work ethic, caring attitude, team spirit, and sportsmanship is undeniable. (read more)
The awards ceremony took place at the Boston Bruins’ March 19th game at TD Garden.
CERT volunteers honored for their support of migrant families – presentation at Annual Town Meeting:
Prior to the opening of Annual Town Meeting, the Board of Health gave out the Dr Timothy Stone Award for Public Health to two members of Southborough’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) that went above and beyond when 75 immigrants, including children and pregnant women, were suddenly, temporarily sheltered in Southborough.
BOH member Liz Zulick announced the award for residents Lisa Braccio and Carol Willoughby:
This past August as our communities face the challenges brought forth by unprecedented circumstances, these two exceptional volunteers stepped forward without hesitation. Amidst the chaos they provided a beacon of hope and assistance to those in need. Their unwavering commitment to serving the most vulnerable among us was evident as they dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the task at hand. Through their involvement in the Medical Reserve Corps and the Community Emergency Response Team that not only offered logistical support but also extended a compassionate hand to those who had nothing (read more)
Last September, Braccio and Willoughby recapped the situation last summer and thanked everyone who helped. (You can watch that here.)
Library Service Distinction Award – presentation at Annual Town Meeting:
This one is an odd one for me to cover. Library Director Ryan Donovan made his annual pre-Town Meeting presentation of the The Peggy Tuttle Award for Library Service Distinction:
named in honor of Library staff member Peggy Tuttle who contributed over 30 years of Public Service to the library and Town of Southborough. This year’s recipient is a long-term Executive Board member of the Friends of the Southborough Library. In the words of Resident Sandy Pochapin, this individual “stepped up at a time when their friends were in serious danger of extinction. Her efforts led to the revitalized group through the onerous process of becoming a 501(c)3, which by itself should be reason for this award.”
She adds “her unwavering commitment to the friends and to the library staff the amount of time she spends on Library business is an inspiration to anyone who is aware of her work.” Please join me in congratulating the 2024 Peggy Tuttle Award winner Beth Melo.
(Thank you to those who nominated and everyone who has congratulated me. As I noted on Saturday, I loved Peggy Tuttle, which makes the honor especially sweet.)
