2015 Recipient

Victoria has volunteered at the Springfield Shriner’s Hospital since she was a child.  She has been a patient ambassador there ever since she had her own melanoma scare.  Throughout the years her fundraising efforts for the hospital have included toy drives, walk-a-thons, and even a polar plunge into the waters of the Connecticut River. 

In addition to volunteering at Shriners, Victoria serves on the District Attorney’s Youth Advisory Board.  The Board’s purpose is to discuss topics that affect area youth and to develop programs that improve their lives.  One of the major initiatives of the board has been promoting internet safety via presentations to 3^rd and 4^th graders across the town of Ludlow.  At the high school level the board has focused on increasing the students’ awareness of the dangers of texting and driving, as well as the dangers of “sexting”, or sending inappropriate pictures via text or email.  Victoria is working closely with the board to develop a program that informs students of the harmful effects of marijuana, alcohol, and prescription pills while discouraging them from experimenting with these substances.

Victoria is a thoughtful, driven young woman who lends her time and talents to improve the lives of her peers.  We congratulate her and wish her the best as she continues her education at Western New England University in the fall.