11th Annual Spellman Humanitarian Awards Recognize High School Students
2009 Spellman Humanitarian Award winners.
The West Chester Area School District proudly presented the 11th Annual Spellman Humanitarian Awards on Tuesday, April 14th, at Fugett Middle School. Championed by The West Chester Area Education Association with the WCASD, the teachers’ sponsorship continues to provide an outstanding forum by which high-achieving students can be recognized each year. This is not an award bestowed on academic ability alone. These scholars have also demonstrated outstanding leadership and community involvement skills that truly set them apart. The parents of these fine young people should be extremely proud of the accomplishments they’ve already achieved, and can likely look forward to a lifetime of similarly unselfish efforts to help others and improve things in our world.
After a greeting and introduction by Debbie Fell, President of the WCAEA, the interim Superintendent, Dr. Linda Antonowich, offered her remarks. Susan Tiernan was a featured speaker and then a musical presentation was offered on the keyboard by Nathan Breton (also an award-winner). The awards themselves were presented by Dr. Antonowich, Debbie Fell, and Tom Cosgrove, the WCAEA Vice President. Debbie then offered closing remarks to end a remarkable evening that reminded everyone how fortunate we are to have these caring and talented young men and women in our community.
The evening was accented by an appearance of the Bayard Rustin High School String Quartet: Joshua Robert Hunt, violin; Michael Chang, violin; Nicholas Michaels, viola; and Chetan Ashta, cello.
The following individuals provided critical direction and assistance in making the planning and execution of this year’s awards banquet a success: Tanya Baxter, Dr. Marc Bertrando, Dan Burke, Tom Cosgrove, Collette Keenan, Betsy McFadden, Stuart O’Conner, Chris Reyna, Carol Shillingford, Linda Smith, and Ginny Zahn.
The Spellman Humanitarian Awards are given in honor of Dr. Elwood M. Spellman, a member of the School Board from 1951 until 1969. The District Administration building bears his name today. Dr. Spellman epitomized the spirit of volunteerism and citizenship that is the basis of the Spellman Humanitarian Award. He was active in the Boy Scouts, Rotary Club, YMCA, and the Westminster Presbyterian Church. His career included the establishment of a highly-respected dental practice in our community. He was retired from dentistry when he passed away on April 16, 1993, at the age of 77.
Information Contact: Rob Partridge, WCASD Communications Program Director / 484-266-1170 / rpartridge@wcasd.net
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