US Department of Education Assistant Secretary Michael Yudin and Lisa Capone, deputy director of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources Green Communities Division, talk about sustainability initiatives with students.

The following press release was provided by Kate Crosby, energy manager for the Acton-Boxborough schools.

Leftovers from lunch had been carried out for composting, hallway lights were operating at half-strength intensity, and garden sprouts sparkled in the rich soil.

These were among the “sustainability tour” highlights when Assistant Secretary Michael Yudin of the US Department of Education and Lisa Capone of Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources visited the Acton-Boxborough schools Thursday.

Yudin’s visit marked the awarding to Acton-Boxborough schools of a prestigious Green Ribbon Schools “District Sustainability Award” from the Education Department.

Acton-Boxborough is one of just 14 school districts in the US to receive this “first-ever” district-wide honor.

Acton-Boxborough and other award winners were recognized for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impact and utility costs, promote better health, and encourage effective environmental education, including civics, green career pathways and STEM (science, technology, engineering & math).

Highlights in the Acton-Boxborough application, which can be viewed at http://ab.mec.edu/departments/facilities/green-awards.shtml included an 18% drop in electricity consumption over three years with a focus on behavior change strategies, composting of food scraps and reduction in solid waste, an award-winning nutrition program, and excellence in integrating sustainability into K-12 curriculum.

JD Head, director of facilities and transportation spoke to the district’s commitment.

“We’re proud to be one of the inaugural Green Ribbon districts,'' Head said. "We’re passionate about this movement because we can make progress on social and environmental issues while generating cost savings that can be folded back into the budget to support our educational mission. “

Superintendent Stephen Mills noted that with this award, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School becomes one of a handful of schools to receive both a Blue Ribbon award for academic excellence and a Green Ribbon sustainability award, both from the US Department of Education.

The high school was also the fourth school in the US to receive the international Green Flag award from the National Wildlife Federation, which serves as the US host for the Eco-Schools program.

In addition to the district-wide award, three Massachusetts schools were also recognized as Green Ribbon Schools: Manchester Essex Regional Middle/High School, Quincy High School and the Berkshire School. They rank among just 64 schools honored nationally by the US Department of Education for their exemplary leadership in sustainability.

Acton-Boxborough Green Ribbon Schools application:
http://ab.mec.edu/departments/deptspdf/ABRSD-APSGreenRibbonApplication.pdf
Information about the Green Ribbon program
http://www2.ed.gov/programs/green-ribbon-schools/index.html

By Laura Gomez, Globe Correspondent

The weekend service suspension of the Fitchburg commuter rail line scheduled for May 4 has been postponed to begin on Saturday June 1, according to the Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company.

Due to MBTA improvement projects on the line, service will not be available between the Fitchburg and South Acton stations on Saturdays and Sundays from June 1 to July 28. On Independence Day weekend (July 4 to July 7), weekend train service will be provided.

On Saturday August 3, weekend service will be suspended for the South Acton, West Concord, Concord, Lincoln, and Kendal Green stations until November 17. Weekend train service will be available on Labor Day weekend (August 31 to September 2).

Substitute buses will not be provided throughout the duration of the project.

Trains will terminate and originate at South Acton during the first phase of the project. During Phase 2, trains will terminate and originate at Brandeis/Roberts.

Phase 1: June 1 - July 28 (Fitchburg to/from South Acton)
Trains will terminate and originate at South Acton. During these weekend outages, the following stations will be closed:

• Fitchburg
• North Leominster
• Shirley
• Ayer
• Littleton/Route 495

Fitchburg line trains (inbound and outbound) between South Acton and North Station will operate on the normal weekend schedule.

Phase 2: August 3 - November 17 Fitchburg to/from Brandeis/Roberts
Trains will terminate and originate at Brandeis/Roberts. The following stations will be closed:

• South Acton
• West Concord
• Concord
• Lincoln
• Kendal Green (Weston)

Fitchburg line trains (inbound and outbound) between Brandeis/Roberts and North Station will operate on the normal weekend schedule.

Weekday service will not be impacted.

For more information, visit MBTA.com.

By Rajashree Ghosh, Guest Columnist

April 15 2013 – how I looked forward to the day on April 14 2013! It was going to be Marathon Monday and my plans were to sit back at home, relax and enjoy the day as it unfolded.

And you know what? It was also the Bengali New Year. Bengalis – are those who belong to the state of West Bengal in India and even those from Bangladesh. Called “Poila Baisakh” or the first day of the month of Baisakh is celebrated with family, sharing the bounties of harvest, making delicacies to welcome the New Year and seeking blessings from those older.

As immigrants we tend to latch onto festivals that can be celebrated abroad where we live without much effort. Some festivals require complicated rituals which unless you gather resources and material, it is hard to pull it off. But Poila Baisakh is always simple and picking up the phone to call or answer calls and wish is the easiest thing to do. It is such a folksy day (unlike other stern, ritualistic festivals) that welcomes all and it is the inclusive nature of the day that makes me happy and I look forward to it every year. It gives me a chance to carry forward some of my traditions and I surprise myself sometimes at the food I whip up like my mother did. As a child watching her cook and helping her around in the kitchen has paid off although at the time of, it was a chore!

In the news early morning I read that US Secretary of State John Kerry sent his Poila Baisakh wishes to the Bengali speaking people across the world. “On behalf of President Obama, I convey my warm greetings to all Bengali speaking people around the world as you celebrate Poila Baisakh. The American people wish you all happiness and prosperity in the New Year,” he said in a statement. Those words made me feel like it was going to be a beautiful day. Some days are just like that.

As I finished my calls to India by late noon, wishing friends and family I was wondering what would be on our festive dinner menu. It must have been around 3 pm that I switched on the news and all channels on TV had a rider at the bottom of the screen saying “breaking news.” What was so urgent that they had to stop regular programming? Maybe the Marathon runners were being felicitated, I thought. I waited for the sound to come on and that is when I realized how ominous the day had turned into.

I looked aghast at the at the plume of smoke and fire as the “explosions” came on, people running injured and crying, the shock on their faces writ large and the police, EMTs scattered on the screen. It took me back to 9/11 and the subsequent fear, shock and devastation. Why? And why Boston? People from all over the world were participating – what a way to target innocent people! Time stood still and all the festive spirit with which the day started for me had completely diminished.

Again calls poured in from India and rest of the country asking if we were safe – and everyone asked about the eight year old Martin who lost his life and his mother and sister have serious injuries. What has the world come to? Who are the people who thrive on killing a child? And innocent by standers supporting and cheering on the runners – what was their fault? In the years that I have spent in and around Boston and made it my home I have never seen anything as violent, despicable and alarming as this. May be DC because it is the political hot seat, maybe New York because of its financial status but never Boston. I made calls to people I know who work and live around Boston and was relieved to learn they were safe but for some it was quite close. Either they walked down Boylston Street minutes before the explosion or they were stopped by the police much before they reached the finish line.

My day changed. If the New Year begins on such a violent note, what is the rest of the year going to be like? I shudder as I keep my eyes peeled on the news updates. Stories of brave men and women helping those injured pour in. Yes we are in mourning – we have lost people – lives and their being. We have lost a way of living and trusting.

What I am sometimes uncertain about is how as a regular law abiding, hard working immigrant am I supposed to mourn? Is there a template that I could follow so I am recognized as a viable mourner? Am I allowed to be part of a shared sense of loss? I see my colleagues share their experiences as Marathon runners, bystanders and just regular people and then write about how “American” it is to help each other in times of distress. At one go, I am shut off from what is going on.

Did I hear that the devices used were packaged in a pressure cooker? It is as common as an oven or a microwave for an American as a pressure cooker is for many cultures and cooking. It even forms part of wedding trousseau because the cookers are sturdy and last a life time just like silverware and dishes in this country.

At this point I am angry that something so cultural has been usurped for a heinous crime. And I want to reclaim that and much, much more. At the time of writing this piece, no one had been found responsible or at least reported. I hope they do find out and soon because we are hurting and need closure.

Understandably, loss is private, personal but when there is breakdown of the normal, let us recognize that bereavement is across family, community, national boundaries and an essential step in rebuilding our lives.

Rajashree Ghosh is a resident scholar at the Women's Studies Research Center at Brandeis University in Waltham.

By John Swinconeck, Town Correspondent

Museums, theaters, and art schools are bringing more than just culture and entertainment to the communities west of Boston. According to a newly released study, arts and cultural organizations are providing millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs to the region.

The MetroWest Visitors Bureau commissioned the study to quantify the economic impact of 21 arts and cultural organizations that are members of the bureau, according to spokeswoman Julie Dennehy.

According to the study, conducted by Carlisle Consulting of Concord, the 21 organizations have an economic impact ranging between $24 million in 2012 to a projected $29 million in 2016, totaling almost $375 million during the five-year span.

The 21 groups surveyed employed the equivalent of 528 full-time staff members in 2012. That number was expected to increase to 594 in 2016.

"These survey results were not surprising at all; in fact, they simply validated our knowledge of how important the arts and cultural organizations are to our region," said Susan Nicholl, executive director of the bureau.

Nicholl said the findings mean that arts and cultural organizations contribute in a meaningful, quantifiable way to the region's overall economic health.

“The MetroWest is rich in arts and cultural organizations that inspire, involve and connect us,” said Marilyn Martino, executive director of the Sudbury Foundation, which sponsored the economic impact study. “This study demonstrates how these agencies create jobs and contribute to the region’s economy. It’s important that we recognize this, and support this vibrant element of our region.”

According to the bureau, the study indicates that money spent by a creative organization — including operations, attendance from visitors from outside the MetroWest region, employees, endowments, and investments—spreads into the community. That creates a ripple effect that contributes to the region's total economy.

For example, an institution such as a museum draws thousands of different visitors from outside the region every year who often patronize other businesses, such as local restaurants.

Carlisle Consulting also estimated the impact on employment due to the indirect ripple effect on industries such as hotels, restaurants, and livery services, in combination with direct employment by the 21 groups. Carlisle estimated an average equivalent of 793 full-time jobs between 2012 and 2016.

Dennehy said she believed that the economic impact of cultural organizations may be even greater, since there were many organizations that didn't participate in the survey because they didn't fit the study's model.

Nicholl agreed: "This is really just a slice," she said. "We can only imagine what the impact is overall."

Participants in the study included: Amazing Things Arts Center, The Center for Arts in Natick, Commonwealth Ballet, Concord Museum, Danforth Museum of Art, The Discovery Museums, Five Crows, Fountain Street Fine Art, Framingham History Center, Franklin Performing Arts Company, Franklin School for the Performing Arts, Hopkinton Center for the Arts, Mass Audubon, Museum of Russian Icons, Natick Center Associates, Natick Historical Society, New England Wildflower Society, Palettes, Spellman Museum of Stamps & Postal History, Tower Hill Botanic Garden, and The Wayside Inn.

John Swinconeck can be reached at johnswinc@gmail.com.

Acton Boxborough Community Education is planning a trip to New York City Saturday, April 13.

The chartered motor coach will leave the parking lot near the Junior High tennis courts at 6:00 a.m. and return at approximately 11:30 p.m.

The bus will drop everyone off in the heart of the sightseeing and shopping areas at (or near) 8th and 50th streets. You will be on your own for the day to enjoy the city at your own pace. You can see a show, go to the Bronx Zoo, tour the Botanical Gardens, or just shop.

The bus will leave New York at 7:00 p.m. allowing time for an early evening meal. There will not be a stops on the way home. This is a family bus trip so please be considerate— no alcoholic beverages.

Registration deadline is on April 9.

Adults pay $59, A-B seniors - $51, and children (12 and under) - $38.

Any withdrawals must be made one full business week ahead of the trip.

Acton Boxborough Community Education is also hosting an Extravaganza Week from Tuesday, April 16 to Friday April 19 in the Gates Elementary School, 75 Spruce St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grades kindergarten through sixth are welcome. Four-day tuition is $205, 3-day tuition is $170, or any one or two days for $75/day.

Tuesday is let’s “Play Ball!” Knucklebones will lead the group in a variety of fun and creative games. Special guest will be the Boston Red Sox mascot, Wally the Green Monster! Lunch is hamburgers from Johnny Rockets.

Wednesday is Art Day. Children will be doing all sorts of arts & crafts projects. Samosa (savory baked pastry) from the Little Indian Market will be served.

Thursday we’re off to see Pippi Longstocking at the Wheelock Family Theatre. Children will need to bring a lunch and a snack.

Friday it's Patriot’s Day celebration. Members of the Louisa May Alcott family will visit to lead us in historical crafts and games. Lunch will be Domino’s Pizza.

Each day children should bring a snack and a drink, as well as their bathing suit/towel/bathing cap. There will be a ride to the high school on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday for free swim.

By Laura Gomez, Globe Correspondent

Young Massachusetts artists and writers were honored with national medals— 57 for art and 35 for writing— in the 90th Annual National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, according to a press release.

All the Massachusetts students qualified for this national competition by winning Gold Keys from the Boston Globe Scholastic Art & Writing Awards contest.

With 92 local students honored, Massachusetts was the country’s fourth largest medal winner. These winning students, grades 7-12, represented 58 schools, and 44 cities and towns in the state.

With 10 awards, Buckingham Browne & Nichols in Cambridge ranked first among Massachusetts schools.

Of the Gold Medal winners:

• Victoria White, a junior at Milton Academy, won “Best in Grade” for her poetry


• Lim Chungha from the Walnut Hill School in Natick won an American Vision Award for painting


• Imogene Robinson, from the Governor’s Academy in Byfield, won an American Voices Award for a short story


• Anna Xie, from the O’Bryant School Math/Science in Boston, won a $10,000 scholarship for her writing portfolio. Only five such writing scholarships were awarded nationally.

Winning students from around the country will be honored at a ceremony in Carnegie Hall in New York on May 31, 2013.

Winning artwork will remains on exhibit in the State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, through April 19. It will be open to the public for free weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Saturdays; and open Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Here is a complete list of the Massachusetts winners:

Acton-Boxborough Regional High School, Acton

Amanda Davies, 12th grade, "Lost" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Oakmont Regional High School, Ashburnham

Meghan Garven, 12th grade, (Category- Art Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Tanner Gauvin ,11th grade, "Think" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Avon Middle High School, Avon

Ivanna Depina, 10th grade, "Pink" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Quabbin Regional High School, Barre

Rachel Perry, 10th grade, "The Piggy Bank" (Category- Art, Ceramics & Glass) Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Allyson St. Pierre, 10th grade, "Take Out" (Category- Art, Ceramics & Glass)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Belmont High School, Belmont

Kimberly Paquette,10th grade, "Reaching" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Talin Tahajian, 11th grade, "Chrysanthemums," "Of Blood and Butter," "The time is ticking," "A Beautiful Commotion," "Carrion" (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Amy Wang, 10th grade, "Wang In A Blanket" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Samantha Xu, 10th grade, "Royal Flush" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Winthrop L Chenery Middle School, Belmont

Hayoung Jo, 8th grade, "Untitled" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Paul Roche, 8th grade, "Six Eye Portrait" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Julia Siegel, 8th grade, "Indigo with Flower Pot" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Boston College High School, Boston

Alexander Bailey, 12th grade, "The Happiness Salesman" (Category- Writing, Short Story)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Boston Latin, Boston

Dara Lin, 8th grade, "Confictura Bella" (Category- Writing, Science Fiction/Fantasy) Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Cole Wennerholm, 7th grade, "Poverty" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Commonwealth School, Boston

Melanie Abrams, 12th grade, "What She Learned" (Category- Writing, Flash Fiction) Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Francesco Drake, 10th grade, "Green Bottle" (Category- Art, Ceramics & Glass)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

International School of Boston, Boston

Louis Block, 12th grade, (Category- Writing Portfolio, Writing Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

O'Bryant School Math/Science, Boston

Anna Xie, 12th grade, (Category- Writing Portfolio, Writing Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Brockton High School, Brockton

Kevin Francois, 12th grade, "Shock And Awe" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Kate Cutlip, 12th grade, "untitled" (Category- Art, Printmaking)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Southfield School, Brookline

Ji Hyun Yeo, 8th grade, "Reflections Of Twisted Time Phase" (Category- Art, Drawing) Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Home School, Burlington

Jinsung Kim, 8th grade, "My House" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Burlington High School, Burlington

Christopher Coe, 12th grade, (Category- Art Portfolio, Art Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal with Distinction

Marshall Simonds Middle School, Burlington

Alyssa Healey, 8th grade, "2 Of A Kind" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

The Governor's Academy, Byfield

Myles Badger, 12th grade, "The Cotton Gin Curse" (Category- Writing, Personal Essay/Memoir)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Imogene Robinson, 12th grade, "The Cookbook" (Category- Writing, Short Story)
Awards: Gold Key American Voices Medal, Gold Medal

Helen Shi, 10th grade, "Clinging On Death" (Category- Art, Ceramics & Glass)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, Cambridge

Alberto Ancona, 11th grade, "True Happiness" (Category- Writing, Science Fiction/Fantasy)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Wenli Bao, 12th grade, "Soundproof" (Category- Writing, Personal Essay/Memoir)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Wenli Bao, 12th grade (Category- Writing Portfolio, Writing Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal with Distinction

Harry Bator, 10th grade, "Dimmer;" "How It Was Done;" "Scorn;" "Monument" (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Ami Clifford, 12th grade, "Joy Division" (Category- Writing, Short Story)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Sarah Dahl, 10th grade, "Bus" (Category- Writing, Short Story)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Jake Kuhn, 12th grade, "Holy Cow! A Profile of Dairy Farmer and Cow Caretaker Edgar Pless" (Catergory- Writing, Journalism)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Caitlin McCarey, 12th grade, "The Doctor Of Delight: A Profile Of Jay Stewart" (Catergory- Writing, Journalism)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Margery Tong, 12th grade, (Category- Writing Portfolio, Writing Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal with Distinction

Margery Tong, 12th grade, "Mori, The Lefty" (Category- Writing, Journalism)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Carlisle School, Carlisle

Daria Pietropaolo, 8th grade, "Hole In The Blanket," "Leaf," "Fence," "Monster Mud," "Yola's Little Italian Dictionary" (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Concord-Carlisle High School, Concord

Emilie Carr, 12th grade, (Category- Art Portfolio, Art Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Hannah Ryde, 12th grade, (Category- Art Portfolio, Art Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal with Distinction

Alexandra Mackenzie, 12th grade, "Hydrant" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Home School, Concord

Miranda Cashman, 12th grade, (Category- Writing Portfolio, Writing Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

St. John's Preparatory School, Danvers

Liam Viles ,11th grade, "Untitled" (Category- Art, Printmaking)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Noble and Greenough School, Dedham

Akshan Dealwis, 11th grade, "When The Gods Leave" (Category- Writing, Personal Essay/Memoir)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Irena Maria Maier11th grade, "Karamazov Shock: My Non-epiphanic Epiphany" (Category- Writing, Personal Essay/Memoir)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Everett High School, Everett

Kevin Angulo, 12th grade, "Boylston Puddle Reflection" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Paul Vu, 11th grade, "Racing At The Speed Of Light" (Category- Art, Photography) Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

John F Kennedy Middle School, Florence

Mairead Blatner, 8th grade, "Pro Bono" (Category- Writing, Science Fiction/Fantasy)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Luke Haas, 8th grade, "Stock Of The Season" (Category- Writing, Humor)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Hunakai Studio of Fine Art, Foxborough

Elizabeth Civetti, 9th grade, "Apples" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Georgetown Middle/High School, Georgetown

Hannah Olbash, 12th grade, "Dark Walk" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School, Hamilton

Justin Finkenaur, 12th grade, "Elephant" (Category- Art, Sculpture)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Notre Dame Academy School, Hingham

Anya Petit, 12th grade, (Category- Art Portfolio, Art Portfolio)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Alaina Taylor, 10th grade, "Untitled" (Category, Writing, Flash Fiction)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Performing and Fine Arts High School, Lawrence

Elissa Salas, 11th grade, "Self Portrait" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Jonas Clarke Middle School, Lexington

Eva Kjelsberg, 8th grade, "Alone" (Category: Art, Digital Art)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Lexington Montessori School, Lexington

Alexander Lehr, 8th grade, "The Empty Men" (Category- Writing, Science Fiction/Fantasy)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

William Diamond Middle School, Lexington

Catherine Wang, 8th grade, "Chiesa Farm" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Longmeadow High School, Longmeadow

Kathryn Higham, 12th grade, "Sharpie Dress" (Category- Art, Fashion?
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Brookwood School, Manchester

Elizabeth Irvin, 8th grade, "Permanent" (Category- Writing, Flash Fiction)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Sebastian Carpenter, 8th grade, "Insect I" (Category- Art, Sculpture)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Manchester Essex Regional High School, Manchester

Julia Paccone, 11th grade, "Organic Glamour" (Category- Art, Fashion)
Awards: Gold Key, American Visions Nominee | Silver Medal

Marshfield High School, Marshfield

Lily Celino, 10th grade, "Shoes" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Melrose Middle School, Melrose

Gerard Frasca, 8th grade, "Landscape, Portugal" (Category: Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Milton Academy, Milton

Olivia Atwood, 12th grade, "The Conservative Synagogue At 11 East 11th Street," "Burglary at 88 Allerton," "Senior Year in Five Haikus," "La Guerra Sucia." (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Jessica Blau, 12th grade, "Tectonics," "The Things I'll Never Tell My Mother," "Mermaids" (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key, AVN | Gold Medal

Jonathan Esty, 12th grade, "On the Removal of the Bald Eagle" (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key/Silver Medal

Sarah Hombach, 12th grade, "An Agriculture Major" (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key/Gold Medal

Victoria White, 11th grade, "Oncology," "Blackberry Winter," "Hardening," "Past Tense" (Category- Writing, Poetry)
Awards: Gold Key | Best in Grade, Gold Medal

Walnut Hill School, Natick

Emily Kessler, 11th grade, "Monopoly" (Category- Writing, Personal Essay/Memoir)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Chungha Lim, 11th grade, "Portrait Of Conveyance" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key, AVN | American Visions Medal, Silver Medal

Needham High School, Needham

Noah Baker, 12th grade, "Uncle John #11" (Category: Art, Mixed Media)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Newburyport High School, Newburyport

Jillian Conway, 11th grade, "Untitled" (Category: Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Newton North High School, Newton

Audrey Derobert, 12th grade, "1 In 8 Teenagers Have Self Harmed" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Xiang Ding, 12th grade, "Beach" (Category: Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Newton South High School, Newton

Olivia Hamilton, 11th grade, "Tractor" (Category: Art, Sculpture)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Algonquin Regional High School, Northborough

Jessica Sheldon, 12th grade, "Moonlit Adventure" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Landmark School, Pride's Crossing, Beverly

Phoebe Britton, 12th grade, "Self-portrait In White" (Category- Art, Drawing)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Corey Kramer 11th grade, "Red Riding Hood" (Category- Art, Printmaking)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Berkshire School, Sheffield

Kevin Xu, 9th grade, "Self-Portrait" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: GoldKey/Gold Medal

Fay School, Southborough

Soo Hyun Hong, 8th grade, "Three Apples" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Coyle & Cassidy High School, Taunton

Mercedes Lamb, 11th grade, "Cuppa Dolphin" (Category- Art, Digital Art)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Masconomet Regional High School, Topsfield

Allin Skiba, 11th grade, "Baseball" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Innovation Academy Charter School, Tyngsborough

Spencer Royston, 8th grade, "The Storm" (Category- Writing, Personal Essay/Memoir)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Wayland High School, Wayland

Jameson Hunt, 10th grade, "Ashen" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Wellesley High School, Wellesley

Anya Pineau, 10th grade, "Dressing Up" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Gold Medal

Wellesley Middle School, Wellesley

Sam Baltrus, 8th grade, "Scream" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Westborough High School, Westborough

Benjamin Li, 10th grade, "Uncertainty" (Category- Art, Painting)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Minnechaug Regional High School, Wilbrham

Emily Zheng, 11th grade, "White Days" (Category- Writing, Personal Essay/Memoir)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

Wilmington High School, Wilmington

Ryan Clark, 11th grade, "Cranes" (Category- Art, Photography)
Awards: Gold Key | Silver Medal

The Discovery Museums of Acton have welcomed three new members to their board of directors: JD Chesloff, executive director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable; Robert V. Ferrara, senior director of Strategic Planning, Communications and Alumni Relations for the MIT Division of Student Life; and Jarod J. Bloom, a partner at Sechrest & Bloom, LLC and Sechrest Financial Services, LLC— according to a press release.

As Executive Director of the Massachusetts Business Roundtable (MBR), JD Chesloff is responsible for developing and implementing the strategic framework and direction for MBR in partnership with the chair, executive committee and board of directors. He works with MBR Task Forces and MBR leadership to develop its agenda on public policy matters—particularly in the areas of competitiveness, health care, education, and transportation and infrastructure—and convey those ideas to opinion leaders and policy makers to help inform their deliberations.

He joined MBR in 2004 after serving as legislative/Issues director for the Early Education for All (EEA) Campaign, where he was responsible for developing and driving legislative support for EEA’s legislation and agenda which included the creation of the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. He currently serves on the department’s Board of Directors as Chairman.

In addition, he is chair of the Governor’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) Advisory Council’s Executive Committee, and is a trustee at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

He lives in Arlington, MA with his wife and two children.

Bob Ferrara is senior director of Strategic Planning, Communications and Alumni Relations for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Division of Student Life (DSL). In this capacity, he works extensively with the MIT Alumni Association and a broad cross section of MIT alumni.

Bob holds a bachelors degree from MIT in mechanical engineering, and an MBA from Harvard University. He is the MIT 1967 Class President and a board member and past President of the MIT Club of Boston.

Bob and his wife live in Acton. Both were active in the founding of The Discovery Museums, and have remained active in several community organizations.

Jarod Bloom is a partner at the CPA and wealth management firms Sechrest & Bloom, LLC and Sechrest Financial Services, LLC in Acton, MA. Jarod attended Boston University as a Trustee Scholar and graduated summa cum laude from BU’s School of Management in 1995 with a bachelors degree in business administration and a concentration in accounting.

Jarod has been a guest financial columnist for Medical Economics magazine, appeared as a financial analyst on Fox-TV, and co-authored a chapter in "Inside the Minds," a wealth management book.

Jarod is a resident of Acton,and was a Big Brother with the Big Brothers of Massachusetts Bay. Jarod has served as president of the Acton-Boxborough, MA chapter of Rotary International and is active with the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce. He is an avid yoga practitioner and professional swing dancer who has taught, competed, and performed throughout North America, Europe, and Asia

By Jaclyn Reiss, Town Correspondent

The Foundation for MetroWest announced last week that it has distributed $85,500 in grants from their MetroWest Hunger Relief Fund to 39 food pantries throughout the region.

The MetroWest Hunger Relief Fund was recently established to provide more resources to local food pantries and food support organizations.

“Twenty percent of all grants requested through our discretionary grant program this year were for food support,” said Judy Salerno, executive director of the foundation. “This was a significant increase from previous years, and it showcases just how prevalent the issue of hunger is in our MetroWest region.”

Organizations that received funds include:

• Acton Community Supper
• Ashland Emergency Fund
• Open Table, Inc., Concord
• Dedham Food Pantry
• Jewish Family Services, Framingham
• United Way of Tri-Co Curtis Family Supper, Framingham
• United Way of Tri-Co Pearl Street Café, Framingham
• St. Bridget’s Food Pantry, Framingham
• Lucy & Joe’s Food Pantry, Framingham
• Hope Worldwide, Framingham
• Holliston Pantry Shelf
• Project Just Because, Hopkinton
• Hudson Community Food Pantry
• Lexington Interfaith Food Pantry
• City of Marlborough Heat & Eat
• Open Table, Inc., Maynard
• Maynard Food Pantry
• Medfield Food Cupboard
• Medway Food Pantry
• Medway Village Food Pantry
• Daily Bread Food Pantry, Milford
• Salvation Army, Milford
• Millis Ecumenical Food Pantry
• Natick Service Council
• A Place to Turn, Natick
• Needham Community Council
• United Perishes of Southborough Food Pantry
• Stow Food Pantry
• Sudbury Community Food Pantry
• Walpole Community Food Pantry
• Salvation Army, Waltham
• Middlesex Human Services Bristol Lodge, Waltham
• Grandma’s Pantry, Waltham
• J.F. & C.S. Family Table, Waltham
• Sacred Heart Church Food Pantry, Waltham
• Celebration International Food Pantry, Wayland
• Wellesley Food Pantry
• Westborough Food Pantry
• Westwood Council on Aging

The foundation’s English Family Fund has continually provided community leadership on this issue. This year, their efforts were joined by other foundation donors and fundholders in helping local families by giving to the hunger relief fund. The foundation also recently awarded $173,500 to 26 area nonprofit organizations as part of their 2012 discretionary grant program. This year, the foundation distributed approximately $1 million throughout the region, and more than $7.5 million since its inception in 1995. Foundation for MetroWest promotes philanthropy in the region, helps donors maximize the impact of their local giving, serves as a resource for local nonprofit organizations, and enhances the quality of life for all of our citizens.

For more information, please visit the foundation's website.

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Follow us on Twitter: @yourtownnatick, @jaclynreiss

Jaclyn Reiss can be reached at jaclyn.reiss@globe.com

 

The following was submitted by Visiting Nurse and Community Health, Inc.:

Harry Allen of Arlmont Fuel (pictured left) was the MC for Visiting Nurse and Community Health’s (VNCH) 7th annual “Pot of Gold” event at the Sons of Italy Hall in Arlington. Pot of Gold attendees enjoyed a tasty buffet dinner from Blue Ribbon BBQ, and the top silent auction bidders walked away with great items. As the night progressed and numbers were eliminated, hope was kept alive as fantastic “loser prizes” were periodically distributed. The final and “Luckiest Loser” of the night received a night stay at the Westin Hotel! This year, the top 10 finalists unanimously decided to split the “Pot of Gold”, which made for 10 very excited $1,000 winners! Pot of Gold Committee members were, Harry Allen, Bob Bowes, Bowes Real Estate; Harry Allen; Kathleen Darcy, Cambridge Savings Bank; Tim Haley, Prakash Ellenhorn, LLC; Meredith Lambroff of VNCH; (pictured above at right); Lisa Lorgeree, Brookline Bank and Starry Poe, Brookline Bank. VNCH serves the following communities: Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chelsea, Concord, Everett, Lexington, Lincoln, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Stoneham, Tyngsboro, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Westford, Weston, Wilmington, Winchester, Winthrop and Woburn.

 

Former Celtics basketball player, Chris Herren, will speak at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 7:00pm. Harren’s career was shattered by his addiction to drug and alcohol, and he is now a motivational speaker, author, and sobriety advocate who has remained substance-free since 2008. Since then, Harren has refocused his life to put his sobriety and family above all else.

Through his non-profit organization, The Herren Project, he works to educate youth and at-risk populations on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and provide techniques to handle pressure within their lives, their community or their family situation.

This community-wide event is funded by the Acton-Boxborough United Way’s 30th Anniversary Fund for Children & Youth, in partnership with the Acton-Boxborough Regional PTSO, and

There is no charge for this event. Teens and their parents are encouraged to attend.

See www.abuw.org for additional information.