Greenwich High School community service award winners, clockwise from rear: Catherine Veronis from Folsom House, René Jameson (Fleishman Service Award), Flora Dievenich Braes from Bella House, Sadie Cox from Clark House, Greg Goldstein from Cantor House and Julia Merrill from Sheldon House. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
In a tradition started by former Superintendent Ernest Fleishman in 1986, Greenwich Public Schools students were presented with community service awards for participation in service activities that help to improve both their school and the community.
In addition to awards for students at all the elementary, middle schools and GHS students – one in each of the five houses – the Fleishman Award for Community Service, which WMS principal called “The Ernie,” went to René Lapointe Jameson.
“There isn’t a way to fully know what the future holds for you, but the world will be a better place because of your contributions,” said First Selectman Peter Tesei.
“When I look at the young students I know you’ll be up here again,” Dr. Fleishman said to the elementary schools recipients.
“It was 33 years ago that I was driving down the Post Road from Port Chester, and there was a sign that said ‘Greenwich: Home of Athletic Champions,'” Fleishman recalled. “I have three children who went through Greenwich High School who played varsity sports, so I’m all for it, but I said to myself, there are other heroes who need to be put up on a pedestal. …What you expect is what you get. What you put up on a pedestal in your home, school and community reflects what you honor and value.”
As for René, her guidance counselor was quoted as saying her mission is to help others succeed. “She is always moving, always doing, but she never lets the work consumer her. She employs a sense of purpose that I have never seen in a high schools student.”
René is the president of Roots & Shoots, and was visible just the previous night at the RTM meeting where she led a group of about 40 students to speak passionately in favor of a Town plastic bag ordinance.
In addition to leading Roots & Shoots, René serves on the Abilis youth board, volunteers with Greenwich Community Gardens, Neighbor to Neighbor, At Home In Greenwich and the Byram Shubert Library.
In fact René already received the community service award as an elementary student in 2011, as a middle school student in 2014.
Former Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Ernest Fleishman. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Elementary School community service award winners: Della Blucher (Cos Cob School), Chelsie Glines (Cos Cob School), Chloe Rabinowitz (Glenville School), Pearl Lee and Vera Kim (Hamilton Avenue School), Callie Richards (ISD), Justin Bernstein and Camille Pedroza-Hall (Julian Curtiss School), Hank van Schaik and John Kilgallen (New Lebanon School), Peter Vomvolakis and Calvin Donat (North Mianus School), Daniel McGuire and Ally Bauer (North Street School), Lily Roberts and Brennan Cunnion (Old Greenwich School), Alysssa Gath and Blake Martin (Parkway School), and Benjamin Tirana (Riverside School). March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Greg Goldstein was presented the GHS Cantor House award from Jason Goldstein. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Thomas Fahey received the Central Middle School award. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Flora Dievenich Braes received the GHS Bella House Award, presented by House Administrator Lucy Arecco. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Julia Merrill received the GHS Sheldon House award which was presented by Brigid Barry. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Angela Zarrilli received the Western Middle School award, presented to her by Principal Gordon Beinstein. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Alexis Killeen received the Eastern Middle School Award, which was presented by Principal Ralph Mayo. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Thomas Fahey, Alexis Killeen and Angela Zarrilli, middle school award recipients. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
René LaPointe Jameson received the Fleishman Service Award, March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Sadie Cox received the GHS Clark House award, which was presented by House Administrator David Walko. March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
Catherine Veronis received the Folsom House Award which was presented by Dana Tulotta, March 13, 2018 Photo: Leslie Yager
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