PRESS RELEASE

STONY BROOK STUDENT MAXWELL MCGINTY WILL REPRESENT WESTFORD IN GOVERNOR PATRICK’S PROJECT 351 INITIATIVE.

To: Local Press

From: Steve Guditus, Stony Brook Middle School Assistant Principal

Re: 8^th Grader Maxwell McGinty to represent Westford in Project 351 Initiative

Date: January 23, 2013

For More Information: Contact Stony Brook Middle School, 978-692-2708

Westford Public Schools is proud to announce Maxwell McGinty as this year’s choice for the Governor’s Project 351 Project.  Governor Deval Patrick launched the project, named for the 351 cities and towns in the state, during his 2011 inaugural year.  “Project 351 is designed to inspire, challenge and motivate our next generation of leaders to give back and make a significant impact in the community,” he said.  The program strives to develop youth leadership skills, inspire the ethic of service, and unite the young leaders of the Commonwealth with an annual class of youth ambassadors. The program also allows young people to discuss issues they consider critical to themselves and their communities.

One 8^th grader is selected from each city and town to participate in this important leadership opportunity.  Max was nominated by Peter Cohen and Steve Guditus, the Principal and Assistant Principal at Stony Brook to be the representative for both of Westford’s middle schools which house over 1200 students.  He was chosen because he best exemplifies the “values of compassion, commitment, humility, kindness, and generosity of spirit” that are sought for during the nomination and selection process. 

The students will hold a town meeting forum with the governor at the State House on the morning of January 26^th to launch their year of service and celebrate of the ‘Class of 2013’ and the ‘Legacy of Dr. King’ led by Governor Patrick. Students and their mentors will then deploy for service at one of five Community Service sites throughout the city of Boston.  The entire group will reconvene for continued leadership activities and dinner with the governor.

Project 351 ambassadors are challenged to participate in local impact days of service throughout the year. Students may choose to perform their own acts of service or join ambassadors across the state through participation in a unity project.  Max shared that he hopes to bring a service project back to Stony Brook that will support the many servicemen and women who are currently on active duty in places like Afghanistan.