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Date: 5/23/2023
WESTFIELD — Westfield High School senior Ciara Johnson-Corwin has been named one of Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts’ 18 Under 18.
Nominated by WHS Principal Charles Jendrysik for the honor, Johnson-Corwin is a member of the National Honor Society as well as the Tri M Music Honor Society. At school, she is active in many after-school activities, including the Key Club, Student Council, the Multicultural Club and the Ski Team. In addition, she founded and nurtured the Future Medical Leaders Club and Letters for Rose.
According to the announcement, Johnson-Corwin is most proud of her involvement in the Best Buddies Unified Track Team, where students with and without intellectual disabilities compete alongside each other, and Letters for Rose, an international organization that aims to reduce loneliness among elders during the coronavirus pandemic by creating and sending out customized letters, art and donations for local nursing homes. The Westfield High School Letters for Rose chapter is the second largest in the world and has sent out over 2,190 letters.
“That says in itself a lot about Ciara’s leadership. She is a true and genuine leader for the right reasons, not for the praise or accolades; simply to help other people, which is really remarkable,” Jendrysik said.
Johnson-Corwin’s passion for volunteering extends into the community where she serves as a Bible Camp counselor for her church and helps with the church choir. She will be attending the University of Rochester in the fall to study the brain and cognitive sciences.
“I’ve always been impressed by the leadership and community service that Ciara demonstrates,” Jendrysik said.
He first started to get to know her when she approached him in the cafeteria in her sophomore year about starting two new clubs, the Future Medical Professional Club and Letters for Rose.
“She is always well spoken, and one of the most genuine students that I’ve had the pleasure to work with. Despite all the accolades, she remains humble through all,” he added.
On May 18, Jendrysik attended Junior Achievement’s banquet at Tower Square to honor all of the 18 under 18 recipients.
“It was a great event. It truly was inspiring to hear all the positive things that were said about Ciara and the other recipients as well from throughout Western Mass. The recipients were truly extraordinary, and to hear all the wonderful things young people were doing was uplifting,” he said.
Jendrysik said all of the 18 Under 18 students created a poster board that reflected their accomplishments, and the guests walked around and talked to students about their successes and their achievements.
“It’s very cool,” he said.
Jendrysik said the honorees received a plaque, a citation from Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, and will be invited to attend leadership and networking workshops sponsored by Junior Achievement.
This is the second year that Junior Achievement of Western Massachusetts is honoring a group of 18 students under 18 years old for their innovative spirit, leadership and community involvement.
Also honored were Amanda Arce, a sophomore at Springfield Conservatory of the Arts; Kailyn Cabrini, a junior at St. Mary’s High School; Veronica Colon, an 11th grade student at Holyoke High School; Malia deVillier, a junior at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy; Baillie DiStefano, a senior at the Springfield Conservatory of the Arts; Joel Forson, a senior at Chicopee High School; Frankie Gentile, an 11th grade student at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy; Jocalyn Imbody, a senior at Hampden Charter School of Science East; Anessyah Love, a sophomore at Springfield Honors Academy; John Torres Pagan, a senior at Chicopee Comprehensive High School; Alexa Pajak, a senior at Chicopee High School; Branson Perry, a junior at Putnam Technical Vocational Academy; Jo-Celine Reyes, a junior at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy; Noelani Santiago, a sophomore at Springfield International Charter School; Tyler St. Hilaire, a junior at Hopkins Academy; Melianis Valle, a senior at the High School of Commerce; and Celvin Velasquez, a sophomore at Putnam Vocational Technical Academy.
More information about all of the 2023 honorees is available at www.jawm.org/18-under-18.
Junior Achievement is a global non-profit youth organization that originated in Springfield in 1919. Its mission is to help inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a changing world, with a focus on financial literacy, career readiness and entrepreneurship, their three pillars. Junior Achievement sponsors programs from kindergarten to 12th grade, most taking place in the schools.