GREENFIELD — A Greenfield High School student has been recognized for trying to spread the message of love in the community.
GHS junior Dylan Badillo has been recognized for his efforts in Greenfield schools, receiving $2,500 in scholarships from Moose International’s 2018 Youth Awareness Student Congress. Badillo received the scholarships in two competitions, one regional and another international.
Badillo was recognized for a series of events called “Kidstalks” that he held at the Greenfield YMCA and Federal Street School. Badillo said the events are essentially TEDtalks, but geared toward children between 4 and 9 years old.
Badillo had four different presentations that he gave youth between January and March, all revolving around the concept of love. He presented the talks a total of 15 times.
Badillo said the themes of his talks included spreading love, nurturing love and teaching love. His efforts also included reading the Fran Manushkin book “Happy in Our Skin,” about celebrating what makes people unique, and helped students create unique bookmarks to give out to others.
“I wanted to be a role model,” Badillo said. “Not all high schoolers are scary.”
Badillo came in second at the regional level of the Youth Congress, competing against students from Massachusetts and Rhode Island, winning a $500 scholarship.
He then competed in the international competition held in Boston, where he came in fifth and received a $2,000 scholarship.
You can reach
Dan Desrochers at:
ddesrochers@recorder.com
413-772-0261, ext. 257