Wareham's young leaders honored at Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast

Jaime Rebhan
Jan 17, 2012
The honorees with keynote speaker, Wareham native Dr. Donald Monteiro. BY JAIME REBHAN
John W. Decas Elementary 5th grader Kylie Rose Decas was chosen for the honor by Principal Christine Panarese. Kylie is a "leader by choice and example" and shows "consideration and patience with all of her classmates" and "sticks up for younger students ... if they're not being treated with respect by others." Kylie and a fellow student started an after-school weekly book club that is open to everyone. BY JAIME REBHAN
Fifth grader Jillian Rawding, who attends Minot Forest Elementary, was nominated by teacher Lacey Remillard because she is a "warm, caring, and independent student who has overcome numerous and difficult obstacles in her life since birth," Remillard wrote in nominating Jillian for the award. "She is an individual who is determined to make the best of her challenging life circumstances and can often be heard vocalizing as well as modeling her optimism. She has had the support and admiration of her nurturing grandparents to navigate her way through a successful and productive childhood." BY JAIME REBHAN
Robert Giannelli was nominated by Wareham Middle School Principal Howard Gilmore. Gilmore described the 8th grader as a "peace-builder" who leads by example and encourages his fellow students to do the same. "Robert is a role model amongst his peers and treats all students with respect and dignity," Gilmore wrote, adding that Robert is "quick to speak up to his peers when their behaviors are mean or discouraging to others." BY JAIME REBHAN
Wareham High School senior Marcus Monteiro was nominated by Principal Scott Palladino. "From a character standpoint, Marcus is a role model to all his fellow students. He is enrolled in many honors courses and maintains a high GPA," Palladino noted. Marcus is also a leader in the various activities in which is participates. He played football for one year, did six seasons of cheerleading, and serves as a class officer and is head of public relations for Student Council. BY JAIME REBHAN
Chantel Dyous Vazquez transferred into Wareham's Junior/Senior Cooperative High School from another Cape Cod town this year. She was nominated by Wareham Public Schools' Kathleen Moore Minkle, who said Chantel is "an honest, self-directed young woman who inspires others to do well." Minkle added: "Chantel would like to be Dr. Dyous Vazquez someday." BY JAIME REBHAN
West Wareham Academy's Jarrett Speroni was unable to attend Monday's ceremony, Coordinator Wendy Miranda wrote that the 10th grader is "a courteous, polite, and conscientious young man who also encourages the other students to have these same qualities. ... Jarrett's hard work and positive attitude has made him a leader among his peers. Jarrett uses his leadership role to promote equity and encourage fair treatment of all his classmates."
Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical School senior Jaylen Austin is described as "bright, self-motivated, and hardworking" by teacher Jennifer McGuire. McGuire wrote that Jaylen is considered a "non-traditional" student at Upper Cape because her technical program -- horticulture -- is considered "non-traditional for females." But that hasn't slowed down Jaylen. She participated in the Future Farmers of America competition and is ranked in the top 10% of her class. BY JAIME REBHAN
Meghan Nault, a senior at Bristol County Agricultural High School, was nominated for the award by guidance counselor Angela Scanlon, who wrote that Meghan is recognized for "overall character and unbiased temperament. Her personality is selfless and her nature is always patient and altruistic." BY JAIME REBHAN
Wareham Middle School 6th grader Zackary Oldfield was nominated by James Cannon and Barbara Sullivan of the Boys and Girls Club. He is recognized because of his "good moral character." "When Zack sees another club member upset, he takes it upon himself to see if he can help them," Cannon and Sullivan wrote. "Zack looks out for others, and above all else, follows the golden rule: 'Treat others as you would like to be treated." BY JAIME REBHAN
Jamie Read was nominated by Greg Baker, youth and teen director for the Gleason Family YMCA. Jamie helped organize a bake sale at the Y that raised almost $2,000 for a family struggling to pay medical bills after losing a child to leukemia last summer. A YMCA camper, "it was rare for Jamie to go a day at camp without earning a Character Bracelet, which were bracelets awarded to campers ... for having exemplified one of the Y's core values." She received more than 60 bracelets in total. "When some campers speak of 'being a different person' when they are at camp," Baker wrote, "it is clear to see that Jamie's energy and love continue to affect people beyond the Y community." BY JAIME REBHAN

A "peace-builder," an aspiring doctor, a bake sale organizer, and a book club co-founder.

They are among Wareham's young leaders, a group of ten individuals recognized Monday, January 16 -- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day -- for their character and determination and their belief in justice and equality for all.

These were all things that the civil rights activist stood for, and all qualities that the students' teachers, principals, and other nominating parties said those students embody.

A student from each of Wareham's schools, including Upper Cape Cod Regional Technical High School and Bristol County Agricultural High School, and the Boys and Girls Club of Wareham and Gleason Family YMCA were honored at the fourth annual Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a dream, I can achieve it" Community Breakfast, held at the Boys and Girls Club.

The honorees are: Kylie Rose Decas, Jillian Rawding, Robert Giannelli, Marcus Monteiro, Chantel Dyous Vazquez, Jarrett Speroni, Jaylen Austin, Meghan Nault, Zackary Oldfield, and Jamie Read.

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast Committee, which organizes the event, also presented its first ever award to a community member.

Dr. Richard Melloni, a Wareham High School graduate and current associate professor of psychology at Northeastern University, was honored for his service to Wareham's youth.

Melloni helps run the Dick Melloni Youth Foundation, named for his late father. The foundation promotes literacy, distributes bike helmets to children, and runs an annual holiday toy drive, among other programs.

Because the community breakfast is held on the day that King's birthday is celebrated, keynote speaker Dr. Donald Monteiro, a Wareham native and OB/GYN currently practicing in Melrose, said the day, though somber, should also be a "moment of celebration."

Speaking about King's work to promote nonviolence and justice, Monteiro told a packed Boys and Girls Club: "It's about people-power. It's about people being equal."

Monteiro is the son of the late John Monteiro, the first black police officer to serve on the Wareham Police Department.

"Wareham has always been a community of integration," Monteiro remembered. "We had good people."

Monteiro graduated from Wareham High School in 1964. A veteran of the Navy, he served in a MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit. He attended Cape Cod Community College and worked at Tobey Hospital, spending time as Director of Nursing, before attending the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He completed his post-graduate training at Boston City Hospital.

"Martin Luther King would be proud," he told the students, "as I am proud, to stand in front of all of you."

Visit the photo gallery to the left of this story to read about all of the 2012 honorees!

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