10 to be honored for their efforts in public service
The last profession Dominic Amara, principal of the Warren-Prescott School in Charlestown, expected to enter was education. As an undergraduate student at Boston University, he thought his biochemistry degree would lead him to a career in science research. But the summer following his graduation, Amara taught science to Milton Academy students and changed his mind.
"I loved it," Amara said. "When you see a student discover something for the first time, it's quite exciting."
He has been a full-time educator since. He is also one of eight city employees who will receive a public service award this week. Two others will also be honored.
At the Warren-Prescott School, which recently went serving kindergarten through fifth grades to one that served up to eighth grade, Amara is working on finding the funding to maintain after-school programs that were implemented last year in art, advanced math, foreign languages, and science.
"Being a principal carries with it a lot of responsibilities, but great opportunities to affect change," Amara said.
On Wednesday, Amara and the other honorees will receive Henry L. Shattuck Public Service Awards, which the Boston Municipal Research Bureau, a private watchdog group, has given since 1985. Shattuck, a lawyer, businessman, and politician who died in 1971, believed that government should behave responsibly when distributing public funds and resources. The award ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the World Trade Center.
The other winners are:
Helen Allix, a cluster administrator for Boston Center for Youth & Families, an advocate for children and families struggling with addiction and other crises.
John Avault, chief economist of the research division for the Boston Redevelopment Authority who provides information for deliberations regarding economic and fiscal policy decisions.
Donald Burns, senior building custodian for the Washington Village and South Boston Branches of the Boston Public Library, who inspires children to keep the library clean.
Gerald Howland, former headmaster of Another Course to College and now a history teacher, who helped the school grow from serving grades 11 and 12 to a four-year program that offers alternative routes to higher education.
Sharyn Imonti, director of operations for the Boston Public Health Commission who works behind the scenes to deliver public health services.
Cecil Jones, a 24-year veteran of the Boston Police Department and director of the Crime Stoppers Unit who gathered intelligence on a planned murder of a gang member that led to arrests.
Mary Ryan, Boston Police Department payroll supervisor who identified reforms that saved the city thousands of dollars.
Two others will receive the Shattuck City Champion Award for civic contributions. Peter Meade, executive vice president of corporate affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, helped devise a law that ensures health coverage for residents outside the typical insurance safety net. Stanley Connors, president and chief executive officer of Bay Cove Human Services, is dedicated to ensuring that people who are mentally or developmentally disabled receive care and support.
April Simpson can be reached at asimpson@globe.com
