Tewksbury High, Rotary Club Honors Hats Off Winners

Tewksbury High School and the Tewksbury Rotary Club have announced the "Hats Off" winners for November and December.

Hats Off is a joint initiative of the Tewksbury Rotary Club and Tewksbury Memorial High School.  The Award recognizes those students who have distinguished themselves academically, have contributed to the co-curricular program at the High School and have been actively involved in the community.

Winners for November are senior Anna Piccolo and senior Kimberly Tecce.

Winners for December are senior Gianna Pondelli and senior Justin Stewart.

Gianna Pondelli

Gianna Pondelli is the daughter of Michele and James Pondelli. She is a member of SAAD and the Student Council. She is also a member of the TMHS track team and the Planet Fitness Health Club.

Gianna has been the recipient of numerous Art Show awards and a certification for Certified Nursing Assistant course. She works at Tewksbury Greener.

Nominating Faculty Member, Ms. Ferreira, states that Gianna, who is also her intern, "completes all tasks with a smile and goes above and beyond.  She was extremely helpful unpacking from the move to the new school and organizing the classroom single handedly with a smile on her face.  Ms. Ferreira also states that Gianna is willing to try anything and do anything to be helpful to her and her classes."

Justin Stewart

Justin Stewart is the son of Nola and Bob Stewart. He is a member of the TMHS football team, as well as the spring and winter track teams. He is also a member of the Redmen Workout Club.

Justin played for the Division II Football Champs for the MVC (Merrimack Valley Conference). He works in snow removal, yard clean up and childcare. 

Nominating Faculty Member, Ms. Puma, who has known Justin over the four years, has always been struck by what a great, caring and compassionate young man he is.  She also states that as a person there is no one better than Justin.  "On one occasion at the end of the school year Justin took the time to help her pack and clean her entire classroom.  As a student, Justin works hard and goes the extra mile to be successful.  He is an unsung hero in the school."

Anna Piccolo

Anna Piccolo is the daughter of Kim and Al Piccolo. She has been the recipient of several Renaissance gold and silver card awards and has maintained honor roll throughout high school. She is in the top 25 percent of graduating class.

Anna is president of DECA club, secretary of ECHO club and a member of Yearbook Committee.

Anna has been captain of the TMHS field hockey team and a two-year varsity player. She has also been a three-year varsity sprinter for the indoor track team and a member of a dance team.                                      

Anna has been the recipient of DECA LEADS award (participated in Leadership Academy at DECA Nationals), the recipient of John and Abigail Adams Scholarship award, the recipient of Indoor Track Coaches award and the recipient of a Ten Year Dance award.

Anna has served as a volunteer for Salisbury Beach clean up, a volunteer for National Chemistry Week, a volunteer for Red Cross Blood Drive, a volunteer for Breast Cancer Walks, a volunteer for summer field hockey and track camps, a volunteer for the Rotary Club Taste of Tewksbury and a volunteer for the Meghan McCarthy Road Race.

Anna works as a Childcare provider, a Tewksbury Public Schools Extended Day summer camp assistant, a Learning Latta Preschool assistant, and a Merrimack Valley Pavilion assistant.

Nominator Principal Regan states that Anna is a "hard worker and a true leader.  She opened the school store for the Community Grand Opening in a timely fashion.  Anna helps keep our TPS Business Office organized where she works as a school intern.  Principal Regan also reports that Anna wants to be an entrepreneur Business Major in college."

Kim Tecce

Kim Tecce is the daughter of Heather and John Tecce. She has been the recipient of several Renaissance silver card awards and has maintained honor roll throughout high school. She is the top half of graduating class.

Kim is the  Class of 2013 President, a member of DECA and a member of Peer Leadership.

Kim is also captain of the TMHS lacrosse team and a four-year varsity player. She serves as a volunteer for Little Reds Basketball Clinic helping special needs children, as a volunteer for Meghan McCarthy Road Race as an event coordinator and participant, as a volunteer for TMHS DECA fashion show fundraiser and show participant and as a volunteer for Rotary Club Taste of Tewksbury – bussing tables and checking coats.

Kim works as a childcare provider, a cashier at Market Basket and as a shift supervisor at Merrimack Valley Pavilion.

Kim hopes to pursue a career in communications and public relations

Nominating faculty member, Ms. Hardacre states that "Kim works tirelessly as president of the class of 2013.  There are times when she does not get the support from her peers that is needed but she keeps pushing through.  She has a heart of gold…always willing to help out."  She also reports that seeing Kim makes her day because she is positive and listens to her advice.  "Kim is determined to make things work and does it with a smile on her face."