SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1980 SUPPORTS PEER LEADERS WITH $2,000 GIFT

Reunion fundraising results in gift to Somerville High Chapter of Best Buddies

Somerville, MA. On Monday, February 7, the Somerville School Committee formally accepted a $2,000 gift for the Somerville High School Best Buddies Club from the Somerville High School Class of 1980. The gift, the biggest to date from the alumni group, was raised during the course of the 30th reunion celebration held on November 27, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Select in Woburn, MA. Approximately 200 alumni and their guests attended the reunion, which featured several raffles with prizes donated by 90 local businesses Says Class of 1980 Treasurer, Mary Ellen Melaragni, “When we realized how much we had raised, the class officers decided we would add our own funds to bring the total to an even $2,000, surpassing our previous charitable by 100%.”

The Class of 1980 Reunion Committee elected to give the funds raised at the reunion to the Somerville High School Best Buddies Club. Melaragni explains, “One of the committee member’s daughters, Samantha Florentino, was involved with the Best Buddies Program. Kathy Florentino suggested giving money to the Somerville chapter of the club. All of the committee members embraced the idea and now seeing the work they do and knowing how this money will have such a large impact on the program, we are thrilled.”

Best Buddies is an international chapter organization, founded 1989 by Sergeant Shriver, dedicated to creating opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Somerville High School Chapter of Best Buddies, founded in 1989, engages 40 students in regular social and activist activities. Club Advisor, Ana Caldeira, says the $2,000 donation will be used to:

• Support social outings for Best Buddies, including a trip to Disney on Ice during February vacation and the Best Buddies Prom on March 25th;

• Support regular activities of the teen leaders including the annual “Spread the Word to End the Word” Day on March 2nd;

• Offset required administrative costs including chapter dues and leadership training for the incoming Chapter President of Best Buddies to the summer Leadership Conference in Indiana.

Previous funds raised by the Class of 1980 were given to the Jimmy Fund, the American Cancer Society, and a scholarship for a high school student. Reflecting on the impact of the gift to the current students at her Alma Mater Mary Ellen Melaragni says, “Knowing we are providing valuable and immediate support to the peer leaders in Best Buddies strengthens the connection we feel both to the current students, and to our fondest memories of Somerville High.”

The members of the Class of 1980 Reunion Committee are Abby Domenici, Kathy (Dugan) Florentina, Maryetta (O’Brien) LaRoche, Francesca (Benanti) DeFabrizio, and Laura LaRoche. Wendy (Gamache) Smith serves as Secretary to the Somerville High School Class of 1980. Current Somerville High School Headmaster, Tony Ciccariello, was the Faculty Advisor to the graduating class of 1980.

For more information about the donation from the Somerville High School Class of 1980 to the Best Buddies Chapter at Somerville High School, please contact Headmaster Tony Ciccariello at 617-625-6600 x6110 or email tciccariello@k12.somerville.ma.us.

Our Schools are one of the reasons why Somerville was named one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People from 2008-2010.

Local businesses that donated gift cards, and other goods to the Class of 1980 Reunion Raffle

• Alibrandi’ s Barber Shop • Nellie’ s Wild Flowers • Michael Breau • Amal Niccoli Salon

• Ann Marie’ s Barber Shop • Arthur’ s Pastry Shop • Ball Square Café • Ball Square Liquors

• Bella Ravioli • Blue Shirt Café • Bocelli’ s Restaurant • Boston Burger • Bostonian Florist • Boston Sports Club • Boston Tattoo Company • Casey’ s • Casey’ s Hideaway • Cold Stone Creamery • Contan Discount Liquors • Dali Restaurant • Dave’ s Fresh Pasta • Diesel Café • Downtown Wines and Spirits • Errico Studios • Flatbread Company@ Sacco’ s

Bowl Haven • Harrow’ s Pies • Hearts & Horses Farms • Highland Café • Hoff’ s Bakery • Holiday Inn • Honey Dew Donuts of

Wakefield

• Johnnie’ s Foodmaster • Joshua Tree Bar and Grill • Jumbo’ s Pizza • Kappy’ s Liquors • Kelly’ s Diner • Kelly’ s Roast Beef • Kickass Cupcakes • Leone’ s • Lil Vinny’s Ristorante • L yndell’ s Bakery • Magoun’ s Saloon • Margarita’ s Mexican

Restaurant • Mary Flynn Murphy Dance

Studio • Michael’ s Place • Mike’ s Food and Spirits • Ninety Nine Restaurants • On the Hill T avern • Out of the Blue

• Sagra Restaurant • Salon Bellina • Seven Hills Wine & spirits • Somerville Theater • Somerville Wine and Spirits • Somerville YMCA • Sound Bites • Starbucks • Star Market • Supreme Paint • T aqueria La Mexicana • T.F. Murphy Florist • The Broken Yolk • The Burren • The Foundry • The Independent • The Precinct • Theo’ s Pizza • T ony’ s Barber Shop • True Grounds • TuYoYo Mexican Fonda • Victor’s • Vinny’s • Whirlaway Golf Pro Shop • Winter Hill Liquor Mart • Y oki’ s Japanese Restaurant &

Sushi Bar • Y oshi’ s Japanese & Korean

Cuisine • East Cambridge Savings Bank

• Patsy’ s Pastry • Pescatore • Petsi Pies • Pini’ s Pizza

Shop

• PJ Ryans • Raso’ s • Redbones BBQ • Regina’ s Pizzeria • Renee’ s Café • RF O’ Sullivans • Rosebud Bar and Grill • Royal White Laundry • Rudy’ s Cafe