Patrick Hrubes, Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School
Four local members of the class of 2009 chose to make community service a priority during their high school years.
The noise from the shop was overwhelming, nearly making it impossible for the students bent over their metal work to hear two people walking by. But as Whittier Regional Vocational Technical High School senior Patrick Hrubes walked through the shop, his fellow students made sure they stopped their work to acknowledge him with high fives, handshakes, and greetings yelled across the room.
"Everyone respects him. That's because he treats everyone with respect," said Eileen Lawton, an English teacher at Whittier. "He credits his mother with teaching him that."
The Amesbury native has made a mark on his school. He graduated ranked 13th in his class of 234 students, and managed to be one of the top metal workers at Whittier in addition to working full-time hours at Stop & Shop, supporting his family during difficult times, and finding the hours to volunteer.
"Pat's always shown leadership qualities. He's never been afraid to tackle any job I've ever given," said Stephen Palmer, Hrubes's metal-shop teacher of four years.
After dealing with repercussions of his parents' divorce when he was 6, Hrubes, now 17, had to help support the family, especially two years ago when his mother, Jill, decided to pursue a degree at Simmons College. He said he had to cook, clean, and keep his family happy, often sacrificing his personal time to work extra shifts at the grocery store or care for his siblings.
"I regret a lot of [missed opportunities] to be honest, but in the end it was a positive thing, so it doesn't hurt as bad," Hrubes said.
Hrubes said his mother taught him not to take anything for granted and emphasized the need to help others less fortunate. He joined her Wednesday nights to volunteer at Our Neighbor's Table food pantry, and one Saturday per month, they volunteered at the Pettingill House to cook and deliver food to the needy.
For the past four years, Hrubes participated in the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center's 3-mile walk to support fighting domestic violence, and he has spent his Sundays helping younger Sunday school students at the Main Street Congregational Church in Amesbury.
"It doesn't matter what we have; we all have something to give," said the Rev. Joan MacPherson. "I think he has found by doing that, he's not only made a difference in other people's lives, but made a difference in his own."
About a year ago, a severe head injury suffered in a wood-chopping accident caused memory-loss problems that jeopardized both his schoolwork and his job.
But Hrubes managed to continue the vital role he has in his family as well as his schoolwork.
Though he said he still experiences some forgetfulness, Hrubes plans to volunteer as a counselor for his second summer at Camp Lincoln in New Hampshire and attend Pennsylvania State University in the fall as a medical engineering major.
"I'm just an average kid put in an extraordinary situation, and just made the best of what I can with it. That's probably the only difference I have," said Hrubes.
"I've probably had more hardships in my life than any other kid my age, whether they believe it or not."
