Needham Youth Services presents...

Left to right Needham Business Representative, Maureen Kelly-Fromm from Unlimited Sotheby’s International Realty, April RAY of Hope Eva Marie Papantoniou, Needham Youth Services Clinician, Katy Colthart

April 2017 Recipient – Eva Marie Papantoniou

Eva Marie is a senior at Needham High School. Eva Marie has been a volunteer in several of our programs at Needham Youth Services, in particular the VIP mentoring program. “She has made an individual impact in the life of the child she mentors, as she has been a weekly positive influence and role model in his life. For this student, the past three years with Eva Marie as his mentor has been invaluable”, recognizes Katy from Youth Services.

“Eva Marie has gone above and beyond the high school volunteer requirement of 60 hours, earning over a hundred volunteer hours through our programs,” states Katy. Some of Eva Marie’s many volunteer projects also include the summer program VAN (Volunteers around Needham) where she took part in organizing games at a local nursing home, cleaning up local parks, working at the housing authority in town, sorting clothes and supplies at the local thrift store, and working at the food pantry in town. “This volunteer work is extremely important to the community of Needham as these local agencies have come to rely on the students who volunteer with them,” states Eva Marie.

The American Cancer Society’s, Relay for Life annual walk. Just one of the many different organizations Eva Marie is a part of here in the Needham community. She became active in Relay for Life soon after her Mother was diagnosis with Breast Cancer six years ago. Eva Marie along with side her team mates the Forget-Me-Nots” walk throughout the night to raise money in support of The American Cancer Society. Eva Marie is also a member of one of Needham High school’s a cappella group named Fermata Nowhere. Every year, the A cappella groups performs for various events to raise money for the charity of the students’ choosing. In the past, all of the A cappella groups performed and raised money for Relay for Life. In the end Needham High presented a check for $3000 dollars to the Relay for Life.

In her spare time Eva Marie babysits, enjoys listening to music, going to the movies with friends and spending time with her family.

Watch the ceremony honoring Eva Marie at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLIX3wSrCdM

For more information please visit www.needhamma.gov/youth/ray