Gabriel Abbott Memorial Student Recognized for Service Leadership

FLORIDA, Mass. — Lael Pavlak, an eighth grader from Gabriel Abbott Memorial School was recently selected as Florida's 2023 Project 351 Ambassador for her ethic of service and values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. 

According to a press release, Project 351 is a non-profit organization that empowers a youth-led movement for change powered by an eighth-grade student representing every city and town in Massachusetts.

"Lael is a student that is always concerned about how she can help others. She was just a natural choice to be Project 351 ambassador," said Tim Rougeau, Lael's English and Social Studies teacher.

On Jan. 14, Pavlak will unite with more than 425 Ambassadors and Alumni mentors for Project 351's 13th annual Launch and Service Day in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. & Coretta Scott King. Launch Day kicks-off 12 months of leadership development through unifying service, Alumni mentorship, and enrichment through Project 351's Service Leadership Academy.

Over their year's term, ambassadors develop the skills and confidence to mobilize schools and communities in four statewide service campaigns: Spring Service, benefitting Cradles and Crayons, Hope & Gratitude Walk benefiting nonprofits selected by Ambassadors; 9.11 Tribute Service with the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund; and Fall Service, which seeks to eradicate hunger through support of hundreds of hometown Food Pantries.

At the close of their service year, Ambassadors are invited to continue to hone skills and lead communities as a member of the Alumni Organization.

Launch Day will celebrate the Class of 2023 and honor the legacy of the Kings, with a tribute of the "The Embrace," the Commonwealth's first memorial to Dr. and Mrs. King. Highlights include a kick-off program at Faneuil Hall and an end-of-day celebration.

Ambassadors will dedicate the afternoon to high-impact service with 10 nonprofit organizations including La Colaborativa, Cradles to Crayons, Hope & Comfort, and the Wonderfund. United across 351 cities and towns, Ambassadors will address 

issues including hunger, educational opportunity, childhood poverty, mental health and wellness, and care for military and veterans – impacting thousands of neighbors across Boston and the Commonwealth.

"The 35ONE generation is compassion-in-action. We're honored to welcome our 13th Class of leaders, dreamers, and doers," said Carolyn Casey, Project 351's Founder and Executive Director. "We are proud of their commitment to unite as the Class of 2023 to

build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead the change they wish to see in the world."

Since 2011, 4,492 Ambassadors have impacted more than 1.2 million neighbors through unifying statewide service.

Cost, Access to NBCTC High Among Concerns North Berkshire Residents

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
06:15PM / Thursday, April 25, 2024

Adams Select Chair Christine Hoyt, NBCTC Executive Director David Fabiano and William Solomon, the attorney representing the four communities, talk after the session. 

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Public access channels should be supported and made more available to the public — and not be subject to a charge.

 

More than three dozen community members in-person and online attended the public hearing  Wednesday on public access and service from Spectrum/Charter Communications. The session at City Hall was held for residents in Adams, Cheshire, Clarksburg and North Adams to express their concerns to Spectrum ahead of another 10-year contract that starts in October.

 

Listening via Zoom but not speaking was Jennifer Young, director state government affairs at Charter.

 

One speaker after another conveyed how critical local access television is to the community and emphasized the need for affordable and reliable services, particularly for vulnerable populations like the elderly. 

 

"I don't know if everybody else feels the same way but they have a monopoly," said Clarksburg resident David Emery. "They control everything we do because there's nobody else to go to. You're stuck with with them."

 

Public access television, like the 30-year-old Northern Berkshire Community Television, is funded by cable television companies through franchise fees, member fees, grants and contributions.

 

Spectrum is the only cable provider in the region and while residents can shift to satellite providers or streaming, Northern Berkshire Community Television is not available on those alternatives and they may not be easy for some to navigate. For instance, the Spectrum app is available on smart televisions but it doesn't include PEG, the public, educational and governmental channels provided by NBCTC.