Pawcatuck Middle School Students Celebrated For Contributions To Community

As well as academic learning, students at Pawcatuck Middle School also experience selfless giving as part of their education. For 10 years students at have been helping others and this year is no different.

More than 100 students were recognized for their service to the community and all students were celebrated at an assembly at Pawcatuck Middle School on Thursday.

Named PAWS for Project H.E.R.O (helping everybody respect others) the purpose of the gathering was to recognize and celebrate the numerous ways the students have given back to the community over the year.

“One of the things that sets our school apart from others, is our year long program of giving back and we honor you for all of your efforts, said Principal Tim Smith.

Among the many projects, a standout this year included money raised to help send WWII veterans to Washington D.C for a day of honor to see the memorial built in 2004. Pawcatuck middle students were the first school to participate with the guidance of Deb and Andrew Carrano. They raised $3,000 with a cupcake wars evening and were able to send several veterans.

State Representative Chris Coutu of the 47th District, founded the American Warrior program in 2007. Coutu said he was inspired by his many relatives that served in the war, one being an 89-year-old great uncle who he wanted to send to the memorial.

From there the program expanded and survives entirely on donations and fundraising. The oldest person to be sponsored said Coutu was a 99-year-old nurse who recently passed away.

The students also wrote letters to the vets thanking them for service to their country. These letters are distributed on the plane ride home by way of old-fashioned mail call, 255 letters were written by Pawcatuck students. These letters are very meaningful to the vets and many have requested that they be buried with them, said Coutu.

“It’s the circle of life, great American heroes are only around so long,” said Coutu who said the average age is 86 for those traveling to the memorial. 

Other money raising projects have benefitted the animal shelter, a shelter in New London, and many contributions to the senior center including a special New Years Eve Banquet for 90 local seniors.

Another project recognized at the assembly is called Chikumbuso, which means, in African, remembering what others have done for you so you can give back. Jeanne Steinnagel pairs students with other schools in Africa with the help of Linda Wilkinson who is the founder of Chikumbuso. Wilkinson personally thanked the students. 

“I am always amazed by Pawcatuck Middle School and never miss the opportunity to talk about how awesome you are,” she said.

Wilkinson said that she can reach out to these people and see their smiles but that it is more difficult for the students “you don’t see all the smiles, you don’t see their faces when they receive a t-shirt, you are heroes that are going to make a difference.”

First Selectman Edward Haberek Jr., closed the ceremony by proclaiming June 16th Paws for Projects Hero Day in Stonington.