2007 Costello Family Community Service Award
SkillsUSA Massachusetts Community Service activities are one of the most important types of programs that Skills- USA members can participate in. The activities enable members to become active participants in their communities, thus allowing students to become aware of community concerns and participate in the solutions.
Community involvement by SkillsUSA Chapters is at the root of what SkillsUSA is all about. The SkillsUSA Pledge states “to base my expectations upon the solid foundation of service.” This service also enables the community to become aware of the outstanding work being done by students.
Since 1999 the State Executive Council has chosen to allow each individual Chapter to conduct a Community Service project geared to the individual needs of their area. All SkillsUSA Chapters were be asked to participate. All SkillsUSA Chapters were asked to compile a report of any and all Chapter Community Service Projects, to be presented at the State Leadership and Skills Conference in April. The top three entries will be recognized at the Opening General Session at the State Leadership and Skills Conference.
Judging was done by members of the Massachusetts National & Community Service Commission. The projects were judged on originality, creativity, benefit to the community or community impact as well as the quality of the written report.
In 2006, Ms. Meg Costello, an advisor from Shawsheen Valley Technical High School, set a powerful example of true service in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In service to the victims; a family construction business was unselfishly put on hold, help and donations were solicited, and it was off to Mississippi, to rebuild a home and indeed a life.
SkillsUSA Massachusetts watched with amazement as one of our advisors let the days turn into months of sacrifice and service in the raising of a home destroyed by the Hurricane. We are impressed and proud of what has been done to help a stranger, a fellow citizen, a human life.
In recognition of her powerful example of service to fellow citizens, our Community Service Award was renamed to the “Costello Family Community Service Award.’
This year’s Costello Family Community Service Award winners are:
- Montachusett THS
- Southeastern THS
- Minuteman Regional HS
