2014 Recipient

Connor Roche of Palmer has led on the athletic fields as captain of his baseball and soccer teams but his most meaningful leadership position was when he partnered with his school administration to form a School Climate Committee. The group was created to bring awareness to problems affecting the school community, specifically to help students who were engaging in self-harm behaviors, such as cutting. Although Connor was not personally affected by this behavior, he knew he couldn’t stand by when so many of his classmates were suffering. Using the skills he learned participating in the States Student Advisory Council, Connor collected data, organized a panel of speakers and organized a support group for those who self- harm to talk to their peers or counselors. We are so impressed that Connor saw a need, stepped outside of himself and is making a difference in his community. We wish him the best as he continues his education at the University of Connecticut this fall.