Back in March, Middle School Principals across the Commonwealth, began the task of working with their faculty, to select one male and one female student – each from the eighth grade – to be the recipients of the New England League of Middle Schools “2014 Scholar Leader Award.”
DMS Principal, Debra Gately, explained “the selection of these two students was conducted through a nomination process, involving all of the teachers here at the Dedham Middle School.”
The Comm. Of Massachusetts Middle Level Educators (COMMLE) and the New England League of Middle Schools (NELMS) tells us that “each Middle School in the State chooses two eighth grade students who have distinguished themselves in terms of scholarship and leadership in the following categories: honesty, integrity, dependability, productivity, academic achievement, and service and respect for others.”
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Principal Gately went on to explain that “by participating in this program, and selecting two student leaders to represent the Town of Dedham, we give public recognition not only to the students, but to their families and the school.”
Brenda Needham, executive director of NELMS states that “this wonderful state-wide event recognizes middle level students who are positive role models for their peers.”
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As the selection process and faculty vote came to a close last week, Ms. Gately and Vice Principal Margo Fraczek announced that Rena Coben and Corey Kilroy had been chosen as this year`s Scholar Leader Award winners, to represent our community and the school.
The pair will join their families and a DMS teacher who has influenced each of them along the way, at an awards banquet to be held later this month. Each student will receive a plaque to commemorate their achievement and meet with the Commissioner of Education, Governor Duval Patrick, and other dignitaries.
Principal Gately, proud of the selection of Coben and Kilroy, told us that the pair “demonstrates leadership in both the classroom and in the community.” “Rena and Corey have been model students here at Dedham Middle School. Both students have maintained excellent grades, shown respect for their teachers and classmates, volunteered in a number of community related events and demonstrated leadership quality over the past three years.”
The NELMS will honor students from Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, along with our local recipients.
Both Coben and Kilroy are headed to Dedham High School in the Fall, and certainly have our best wishes!
Story and Photo by: Joe Kilroy
