Middle schooler rewarded for making a difference

Apr 2, 2014

Wareham Middle School seventh-grader Seraphina McGrath was one of  just 100 middle school students statewide to receive the John F. Kennedy Make a Difference award this year.

The John F. Kennedy Make a Difference award is given to students nominated by a teacher or principal for an outstanding contribution made to school, neighborhood, town, or the global community. McGrath was nominated by teacher Bonnie Lasorsa, who was impressed by McGrath's work with Project Linus.

Project Linus, named for the Peanuts character, aims to provide love, a sense of security, warmth, and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need. McGrath and her mother, Sherill, crochet blankets to donate.

"We donate blankets to hospitals, foster homes, and the needy. My mom is the coordinator and I make the blankets. When we donate them to the hospital they get given to the children. Also, they wrap the newborns in them," McGrath wrote. "Another thing I do at the hospitals is I tutor the kids and lift their spirits."

The John F. Kennedy Make a Difference award program is sponsored by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. McGrath and her family attended a March 13 ceremony at the library.