Nominations sought for Student Ambassador

Date: 5/21/2012

May 21, 2012

By Chris Maza

chrism@thereminder.com

WILBRAHAM — The deadline is fast approaching for those interested in becoming a student ambassador for Wilbraham's 250th Anniversary celebration.

The Student Ambassador Program, which was started by Roberta Albano and Pat O'Connor, is designed to incorporate the town's younger generations into the celebration of the town's quarter millennium of existence.

"This is an avenue for inter-generational involvement in our 250th anniversary," Albano said. "It will encourage community involvement and pride in our young people."

Albano said that she and O'Connor were pleased to have been able to develop a way for the youth in the community to feel like they are part of the town's celebration, which will commence with First Night festivities on Dec. 31.

"The idea became reality when I started working with Pat O'Connor, a longtime teacher in Wilbraham who is now retired," Albano, a professor at Springfield Technical Community College, said. "We both have a mutual interest in the education of young people and this project is a great way to teach our youth about our history."

As a student ambassador, young adults from Wilbraham or Hampden who attend high school or are home schooled, would be charged with designing and creating a project on the town's history that will be presented at various events throughout the celebration.

"The idea behind this initiative is for students to join in the spirit of the history of Wilbraham," Albano said. "After much research and discussion with leaders in other towns that have celebrated similar anniversaries, we decided this kind of project seemed like a perfect fit."

Albano added that what part of Wilbraham's history and the manner in which it is presented would be left up to the students.

"This is an invitation for students to be engaged in town history and they will be able to conduct their research and exploration in exciting ways," she said. "We want this to be a creative endeavor for students. We are encouraging students to look into several different ways to present their projects, including music, drama, technology and art. Students may also engage in partnerships and collaboration with other students."

Applications, which are due May 25, include a series of questions in which applicants would be asked to outline their vision for their project.

The project may also be eligible for credit in certain classes at Minnechaug Regional High School (MRHS).

Applications are available at Town Hall, the Wilbraham Public Library, MRHS, the town's website — www.wilbraham-ma.gov — or the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District website — www.hwrsd.org.