A Talk with the 2011 SILS Award Winners

The SILS Award, which stands for Service, Integrity, Leadership, and Spirit, is given to one boy and girl from each of the Middlesex League Schools. This year, Burlington's Principal, Patrick M. Larkin, chose Elizabeth Burkhart and Nick DeSimone for the honor and the chance to represent at the annual awards luncheon back in late April.

This year's ceremony took place at Papa Razzi's Restaurant and was organized by Wakefield Memorial High School Principal, Dr. Kimberly Smith.

Burkhart and DeSimone were conferred the SILS because of their excellent academic and extra-curricular activities. For example, Burkhart, as a junior says she, “takes an unofficial leadership position” on both her winter and spring track teams and as a cheerleader. She has also been Assistant Editor for the yearbook for the past three years and does extensive volunteer work, including teaching elementary school students at the Burlington Science Center and wearing the Appraiser's cap at regional Destination Imagination competition's and other county-wide academic events.

Burkhart understands the SILS Award as, “exhibiting service, integrity, leadership and spirit shows that a person truly cares about themselves, their school, and their community. People who care are willing to put in the effort to be successful at anything.”

DeSimone demonstrates what SILS means by being a rabid fan of both the books and hockey. DeSimone follows his passions outside of school by volunteering at local middle school CCD programs, coaching youth baseball, and volunteering at a special needs youth hockey clinic.

DeSimone explained what SILS means to him. “I try and do the right thing," he said. "This could be anything like holding a door open, helping someone pick up dropped books.  By doing these things, I feel like I am able to show who I really am and hope for others to act similarly.  Also, doing these things in a friendly manner helps me to show that I have spirit and passion for how I act.”

After next year, both Burkhart and DeSimone are looking to make the leap to higher education. Burkhart thinks she will look at schools with solid biochemical or biomedical engineering programs. DeSimone is interested in pursuing the study of statistics, finance, or economics. The duo also mentioned an interest into post-graduate studies as well.

Personally, Burkhart has a passion for politics and is a member the Model United Nations Club, participating in a conference at Umass Amherst last winter. Burkhart's joy for discussion of world events is equaled by the high she gets from tearing through an amusement park with her friends.

DeSimone also likes spending time with his friends, and when not in the rink, can either be found on any of the local-area golf courses, or watching or talking the fastest game on ice around town.