Braintree Honoring Four With Community Inclusion Awards

BRAINTREE, MA — Town officials will honor a family and three other community members at Braintree's 11th annual Community Inclusion Awards Thursday, May 23, at the town hall. The ceremony celebrates those that have helped residents with special needs participate in the Braintree community alongside their peers.

The honorees are:

• Dylan Brown – A senior at Braintree High, has exceeded all expectations in his role as a student intern with the Strives Program at Braintree High School. Dylan not only serves as a relatable peer role model for the students with autism spectrum disorder, he enjoys spending quality time with these students outside of the classroom while treating them all with respect and understanding. Dylan has help spread awareness and the importance of acceptance and appreciation at Braintree High. Dylan plans to study Special Education next year at Keene State College.
• The Burchill Family – Kevin, Kristen, Deirdre, Libby, Maggie and Callie Burchill epitomize the ideals of inclusion in our community. Kevin Burchill, coach of the BHS Girls Varsity Hockey team, and his family naturally included a BHS student with different abilities into their hockey family. They included him as a part of the team. The entire family gets the importance of inclusion, they teach it by living it.
• Sarah Hazell – This fourth grade teacher at Flaherty School models inclusion in her classroom throughout each day. Sarah realizes that in order for inclusion to work for all, she must model it. She provides a predictable, safe learning environment. Sarah builds social skills and models appropriate behaviors. Sarah’s general education students are compassionate, responsible and extremely friendly to their peers. They appreciate their classmates for who they are and are very understanding and patient. Sarah’s ability to include everyone is a model to be followed.
• Matthew Spink – Sensei Matt, chief instructor at East Coast Martial Arts Academies and instructor at SPARKS Summer Enrichment Program, just accepts everyone...always. Matt is naturally compassionate and accepting of everyone. He recognizes the value of each student and respects their abilities. He emphasizes their strengths but also disciplines kindly when needed - encouraging their self-esteem. He is consistent in his expectations. He has earned the trust of all of his students.

The ceremony begins with a reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by speakers at 7 p.m.