Blue Hills Regional Senior Laney Motta of Dedham is honored by the Dept. of Massachusetts Jewish War Veterans of the USA as part of the "Classmates Today - Neighbors Tomorrow" brotherhood program

By Judy Bass

Laney Motta of Dedham, a senior studying Early Education and Care at Blue Hills Regional Technical School in Canton, was among a group of 66 outstanding local high school students who were honored at the 61st Annual Brotherhood Breakfast sponsored by the Dept. of Massachusetts - Jewish War Veterans of the USA and the Ladies Auxiliary at Lombardo’s in Randolph on February 8, 2015 for putting into practice the highest standards and ideals of brotherhood.

Blue Hills Regional Principal Jill Rossetti, who attended the event with Laney and her parents, said, “Laney was the recipient of a certificate that 60 students from the Commonwealth [received] for their achievements at school and in their community.” (Three first prize awards and three honorable mention awards were presented in addition to the certificates.)

The National Conference of Christians and Jews, along with the Dept. of Massachusetts - Jewish War Veterans of the USA, establishes the criteria by which the honorees are chosen. They include “community citizenship; respect for all, despite race, creed or color; exemplification of the spirit of good will and understanding of the contribution to our society of all races and religions; and the practical establishment of comradeship with others of different background, showing the spirit of ‘living and let live.’”

As the program’s guidelines state, it “is designed to honor not academic, but human achievement” in areas such as leadership and citizenship.

Motta’s background includes being a summer camp counselor at the Dedham Parks and Recreation camp in 2011, 2012, and 2013, as well as extensive volunteer experience which encompasses a Christmas drive for children, involvement in the Cradles to Crayons program in 2013 and 2014, participating in Dedham Day, an annual civic event, in 2012, 2013, and 2014, and making snowflakes for Sandy Hook elementary school students after the tragedy there in December 2012.

“I think I represent the ideal of brotherhood through the work I have done around my community,” said Motta. “My family has always been involved and I have helped every chance I got, from volunteering at Dedham Day every year and the community’s camps to private Christmas drives. The ideal of brotherhood to me means donating your time and having fun while doing so.”

She also noted that “Getting this honor was something I will remember for the rest of my life. All of the speakers at the event were very inspiring, and I enjoyed being around the company of so many other young leaders that have helped their communities.”

Motta will continue helping people in her future career. “Next year, I plan on attending nursing school at Curry College [in Milton, Mass.]. I have wanted to be a nurse for as long as I can remember and I can’t wait to pursue my dream.”