Higgins Students Serve as City's Ambassadors in Project 351

Two Higgins Middle School students join more than 300 fellow eighth-graders today in Boston to represent the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts for the 2013 kickoff to Project 351.

Matthew D'Amato and Katie Wallace will serve as Peabody's ambassadors in the service program with Gov. Deval Patrick and both were nominated by Higgins Principal Todd Bucey.

Bucey praised both students for their "compassion, commitment, humility, kindness and generosity of spirit." The program runs for a year with several leadership and service opportunities and kicks off Jan. 26 with a day of service.

"I welcome Project 351 ambassadors from across the Commonwealth to the State House as we unite in the spirit of service," said Patrick in a statement. "Project 351 is designed to inspire, challenge and motivate our next generation of leaders to give back and make a significant impact in our community.”

Patrick hosts a morning Youth Town Meeting at the State House, before joining the young ambassadors for the afternoon at five nonprofit and educational organizations across Boston.

• Cradles to Crayons, Brighton
• Greater Boston Food Bank, Boston
• Pine Street Inn, Boston
• Hennigan Elementary School/BCYF Community Center, Jamaica Plain
• Amory Street Housing, Jamaica Plain

Nate Solder of the New England Patriots, Jared Sullinger of the Boston Celtics and Andrew Ference of the Boston Bruins will also be joining the ambassadors today at different locations.

The day's activities conclude back at the State House where students and Gov. Patrick reflect on the day and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The program was launched by Patrick in 2010.