Adams Lions Club Recognizes Honor Society, Member
.jpg) Jean Keller presented the awards to members of the National Honor Society. Each student informed the gathering where they would be attending college and what they planned to study. |
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Joseph S. Domenichini, a member since 1965, was honored with the Melvin Jones Award for his many contributions to the local club.
"This is unbelievable," said Domenichini, who was caught off-guard by the presentation, and the appearance of his wife, Mary Madeline, and two daughters who were in on the surprise.
The award is named for the Chicago businessman who was one of the founders of Lions International Association and a strong supporter of civic participation.
"Since 1965, he has worked on innumerable events, chaired several committees and served several years as treasurer and delivered a lot of light bulbs," said club President Jean Keller. "This year, he has served on the senior event [committee] and serves on the local sight and hearing and eyeglass committee."
Domenichini, who turned 80 on April 22, was congratulated later by friends.
"He deserves it, I tell you," said Ronald Denault. "He's been a good mentor to the rest of us. ... He donates a lot of his time."
Domenichini said the award explained why his wife was picking out his wardrobe for the evening. "She was never fussy before about what I looked like," he laughed.
The main event of the evening, however, was a continuance of a longheld tradition — honoring local students from Hoosac Valley High School and McCann Technical School. It's believed to be the club's longest running project, said banquet Chairman James Dynes.
"Adams High School, Hoosac Valley today, had some terrific sports teams and those members were always getting recognized for their accomplishments," he said. "In late 1953, a small group of Lions decided it was time for academics to be honored."
Then Principal John Gross and two other Lions pushed for a dinner celebration for Pro Merito Society members and the first was held at the Hilltop in Plainfield in 1954. There were 17 students that year, beginning a tradition to recognize what are now National Honor Society members.
On Thursday evening, more than 30 graduating seniors, accompanied by their parents and club members, received awards from the Lions Club for their efforts. The awards were presented by Dynes, Keller and Hoosac Valley tech coordinator Peter Breen."Your accomplishment in attaining this degree of excellence has been based on hard work and diligence over the last four years," Dynes told the high school seniors. "Many of you are wondering what lies ahead; in these troubled times it won't be easy ... but no matter what path you follow, obstacles will challenge you. Yet, you know you will succeed because you had a great preparation."
He reminded them that a Northern Berkshire education wasn't a hindrance, that the two schools had produced lawyers, doctors, scientists, government officials, writers, professors and even a Pulitzer Prize-winning author.
"Over the years, the Adams Lions have looked upon this night as their most important event," he said. "After 58 years, it is still nice for us to honor the best of the best and pay homage to the academic excellence.
"You are the future and as I see it, we are in good hands."
Honor Society members unable to attend were Meghan E. Cardimino and Sara R. O'Neil from Hoosac Valley and Zachary Bantle, Joshua Gardner and Adam Lemoine from McCann. Those attending and where they expect to be in the fall are listed below:
| Hoosac Valley |
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| Jessica A. Gale | Worcester State University, nursing |  |
| Truman S. Chojnowski | Worcester Polytechnic Institute, electrical and computer engineering | |
| Jasmine G. Chee | Western New England, criminal justice | |
| Mary E. Wilk | University of Vermont, biology | |
| Aaron J. Wojtaszek | University of Massachusetts at Amherst, marketing | |
| Elizabeth A. Provost | Holy Cross, biology | |
| Tanner C. Bird | Franklin Pierce College, business finance | |
| Bethany S. Brown | Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, biology | |
| Tanelle L. Ciempa | MCLA, pyschology | |
| Emily K. Cooper | UMass-Amherst, chemical engineering | |
| Justin S. Duval | Western New England College, business | |
| Jasmin K. Figueroa Thomas | MCLA, fine and performing arts, voice, and minoring in mathematics |  |
| Matthew R. Freitag | Bethany College, finance | |
| Miranda D. Gajda | UVM, engineering | |
| Heather R. Garvie | UMass-Amherst, nursing | |
| Nathan M. Goyette | St. Michael's, business administration | |
| Austin K. Hannaleck | Keene State College, environmental studies |  |
| Michael P. Koperniak | Wheaton College, health science | |
| Seth S. Kuta | Worcester Polytechnic Institute, mechanical engineering | |
| Amanda C. Lebarron | Keene State, zoology | |
| Chelsea N. Lefebvre | MCLA, business administration | |
| Shauna L. LeFebvre | Union College, physics | |
| Taylor N. Markland | Southern New Hampshire University, international business | |
| Samuel N. Prudhomme | Westfield State University, music education | |
| Stephen F. Raftery | UMass-Amherst, mathematics | |
| Ellen M. Rowe | Marine Corps, military police |  |
| Ashley E. Schneider | Westsfield State, early childhood education | |
| Veronica R. Sniezek | MCLA, fine and performing arts, theater | |
| Christopher J. Stefanik | Williams College, chemistry | |
| Kelsey J. Wheeler | Assumption College, optometry | |
| McCann Tech | ||
| Ashley Alibozek | Westfield State, biology |  |
| Rebecca Daniels | Johnson & Wales University, baking, pastry and food service management | |
| Cassie Field | Western New England College, pharmacy | |
| Jordanne Wotkowicz | Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, physician-assisted studies | |
Tags: academics, awards, honor society, Lions Club, youth award,
