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Proud Moment – Manchester Proud’s 3rd Annual Student Volunteer Award

Written by Lauren Boisvert, Community Communication Director

At the Tuesday, May 26, Board of School Committee meeting, Manchester Proud presented the 3rd Annual Student Volunteer Award to 4 deserving Manchester School District high school students. The award, which includes a $500 prize, was created to recognize Manchester School District students who show exceptional commitment to volunteerism.

The award winners for 2024, are:

  • Patrick Vachon, senior, Manchester Memorial High School
  • Helena Florek, senior, Manchester Memorial High School
  • Vick Mahindru, senior, Manchester West High School
  • Jenna Graf, junior, Manchester West High School

The students met with Mayor Ruis in his office prior to the presentation. 

The recipients were selected from all those who applied for the award and received endorsement from an advisor in the schools or community. Katie LaBranche, chair of the Manchester Proud volunteer Council said, “We are proud of all the applicants, especially the award winners, who exemplify the many Manchester students who volunteer in their schools, neighborhoods and community every day of the year. They represent the very best of our city and its public schools.”

“All students who attend Manchester public high schools are eligible to apply.  Every submission requires an application filled out by the student in which they outline their volunteer experiences and respond to several questions, along with a recommendation from an adult who can vouch for their service.  Grades were not a consideration in the judging.” 

More information on the honorees follows. 

Patrick Vachon

Patrick Vachon is a senior at Manchester Memorial High School. He stated that his goal is “to improve Manchester as much as possible, especially Memorial High School for the incoming classes so they can enjoy it as much as I did during the four years of high school.“

Patrick’s advisor noted his volunteer work in his neighborhood, helping neighbors who cannot maintain their properties, among multiple other volunteer activities.

After graduation, Patrick will attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY.

Helena Florek

Helena Florek is a senior at Manchester Memorial High School. She served as President of Best Buddies, helping to bring students with and without disabilities together to, in her words, “create unique friendships. Through these actions, Memorial High School has become a more welcoming and accepting place for those students with a disability.”

Her advisor supported her selection by saying, “Helena’s participation and leadership in the Memorial High School Best Buddies program is just one example of her character, commitment and drive to be the best student, friend, volunteer and leader she can be. I have no doubt that Helena will go on to do amazing things in college and continue to volunteer and spread inclusion.”

After graduation, Helena will attend St. Michael’s College in Colchester, VT.

Vick Mahindru

Vick Mahindru is a senior at Manchester West High School. 

Vick stated that his motivation to volunteer in many ways comes from the example of mentors who have inspired him to serve the community, regardless of the backgrounds, culture, gender or race of others, so that all can achieve the American Dream, and “leave the world a better place.”

Vick’s extensive volunteer service was cited by his advisor as follows, “I reserve my highest recommendation to Vick Mahindru as one of the most likely to succeed, one of the brightest students, one of the highest achievers and one of the nicest people to come into my classroom. He will more than repay your trust and support your scholarship’s mission with his willingness to learn, participate, and lead.” 

After graduation, Vick will attend St. Anselm’s in Manchester, NH.

Jenna Graf

Jenna Graf is a junior at Manchester West High School.

Jenna emphasized that helping those in need, rather than calculating volunteer hours, is what is important in volunteering, especially when it can create a “safe space for people who have a hard time reaching out for help.”

Jenna’s Manchester West High School GEAR UP Advisor, in supporting her application, stressed that Jenna has served as Junior Class officer, and photographer for the yearbook club. “Jenna isn’t an athlete but doesn’t miss a game so that she can get the best photos of her student-athlete peers. She is very active in the Key Club and eager to volunteer for any task/ project that needs to be done. This includes planning & setting up for school events, nominating others for leadership positions, Weststock, and so much more. Jenna is humble, kind, generous, and empathetic to others.“

Jenna will be entering her senior year at Manchester West High School in the fall.

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The power of building and tending to community partnerships is a multiplier, expanding our collective knowledge, expertise, experience, capacity, resources, opportunity, and commitment to our common goal of excellence and equity for all learners. The old saying that, “Two heads are better than one”, certainly applies to our work, and we are so very fortunate to have many, many heads contributing to the success of our District.