Gallery • 4 Photos

Vera Targoff

Pictured: Students from Learning Community R with their deans, guidance counselors, and teachers.

On December 1st at 7:30 AM in the Media Cafeteria, the Friends of Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (FOCRLS) held the Unsung Heroes awards ceremony. This non-profit organization—which has been operating since 2006—aims to “develop, support, and enrich the academic and social development programs at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) and to support the alumni of CRLS and its predecessor schools.”

This goal takes the form of programs such as faculty innovation grants, faculty distinction awards, student travel fellowships and, of course, Unsung Heroes awards. The ceremony is, as described by guidance counselor Ms. Richards, “A bright light every quarter to recognize students who are doing an awesome job but may not know about it.”

The event, which recognizes sixteen students—one from each grade of each Learning Community—began with Learning Community S Dean of Students Mr. Prince commending the hard work of Elaine Schear as well as the parents of the winners. Schear, the FOCRLS executive director, runs the program and was responsible for organizing the event. The group of nominators, which was made up of deans and teachers, each gave a brief speech about their connection to the students that they picked and their achievements before bringing them up front for handshakes and hugs. It clearly meant a lot to more than just the students. As Richards said, “It’s a small event that has a lot meaning.”

Learning Community C awarded their Heroes first, honoring Leo Austin-Spooner ‘21, Jose Moreno DeLos Santos ‘20, Nigel Wallace ‘19, and Victoria Angeles ‘18 in ascending grade order. It meant a lot to people like Angeles, who said, “It has a great impact on my senior year, because I felt like I wasn’t being recognized, and it came at the right time.” Learning Community L went next, recognizing Dabriel Benzan ‘21, Diana Marenco ‘20, Oliver Saffery ‘19, and Hadari Binka ‘18. LC S followed, honoring Marney O’Connor ‘18, Peterlee Dorielan ‘19, Ulysses “Sekai” Tully Carr ‘20,  and Sophia Price ‘21. LC R awarded the final heroes: Gelle Suleyman ‘21, Percilla Wilkins ‘20, Naika Jeremie ‘19, and Katie Melendez ‘18.

There are many ways to be a great member of the CRLS student body, which was reflected in the diverse group that featured outstanding athletes, hardworking scholars, and emerging leaders. In addition to the recognition, the recipients took home certificates and watches which featured the CRLS falcon logo on their faces.

The event, which was catered by the RSTA culinary program, served as a reminder to both the winners and others in attendance that hard work does not go unnoticed.

This piece also appears in our December print edition.