BUCKLAND — Eight students at Mohawk Trail Regional School have been selected to represent their towns as Project 351 ambassadors this year.
These eighth-graders — Logan Moore, of Ashfield; Isabelle Pettengil, of Buckland; Makayla Tatro, of Charlemont; Palmer King, of Colrain; Chayim Mojallali, of Hawley; Owen Heilman, of Heath; Grady Patenaude, of Plainfield; and Adrian Grant, of Shelburne — will take part in a year-long program of youth-led service, leadership development and civic engagement, a press release from the school explains.
Taffy Ruggeri, Mohawk Trail’s school counselor for grades seven through nine, said in the release that student ambassadors were selected by their teachers based on their leadership qualities and potential for helping others through service.
“These students encompass characteristics of responsibility, enthusiasm, inclusivity and kindness,” she said.
Project 351 was born out of former Gov. Deval Patrick’s belief in the unlimited potential of youths. It began as a one-day celebration of Martin Luther King Jr., statewide unity and youth leadership. Within a year, it became a 12-month leadership journey for eighth-graders. Since its founding in 2011, 4,122 eighth-graders have participated.
This year’s Project 351 ambassadors are currently engaged in a four-week Service Leadership Academy to build the knowledge and skills to lead and serve, according to the release. Included in those four weeks is a meeting with Massachusetts First Lady Lauren Baker, and an anti-bias and anti-discrimination training through Playbook Initiative, a partnership with the Boston Celtics.
“Project 351 kicks off our second decade inspired by the compassionate leadership of more than 365 unsung heroes and quiet leaders,” said Carolyn Casey, executive director and founder of Project 351. “At this time of critical community need and increased polarization, ambassadors demonstrate the extraordinary impact realized when we unite in common cause.”
Ambassadors celebrated the official start of their service year on March 7 at a virtual “launch,” which featured remarks from Gov. Charlie Baker, the release states. The event honored the legacy of the late civil rights activist and Congressman John Lewis.