Westies Care hosted its 14th Annual Community Service Awards at Lorenzo’s Restaurant on May 22, and honored 18 students with monetary awards to assist with education costs. Proclamations from Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, the West Haven delegation of the State of Connecticut General Assembly and the City of West Haven.
Founded in 2009, Westies Care is a grassroots outreach that focuses on organizing volunteers to elevate the lives of the citizens of West Haven. Through sponsorships and fundraising the organization has awarded over $100,000 to local High School seniors who exemplify the core values of the Westies Care through a commitment to Education and Community Service.
The 2023 Westies Care Honorees are, Ava Boanno, Aidan Brothers, Kassidy Carrano, Samantha Carrion, Emma Davey, Jaylen Pope Durant, Joseph Malangone, Morgan Montz, Frederick Nagbe, Gia Occhineri, Madelyn Roche, Elizabeth Shea, Melissa Tsakonas and Emma Walker, all of West Haven High School. Additional Honorees, Brianna Miller of ESUMS, Brady Kubicko from Notre Dame High School and Samantha Rivera of Lauralton Hall.
Hannah Davey, a sophomore at Fordham University, who was a 2022 Westies Care Honoree, was awarded the Alumni Award.
The event was highlighted by Keynote Speaker Caitlin Walker, an incoming senior at SCSU and a 2020 Westies Care Honoree. Walker has accepted a position on the Board of Directors for the coming year.