2023 No Guff Community Spirit Award
Congratulations 2023 No Guff Community Spirit Award Winners!
2023 marks the 10th year that the No Guff Community Spirit Award has been bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies the No Guff spirit in his or her daily life. Nominees must live or work in Falmouth; staff and students of Falmouth Public Schools are not eligible as awards are given within the schools).
Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award are those who:
- consistently display a positive attitude
- avoid talking negatively about others
- perform 'random acts of kindness'
- offer kind words or lend a hand to others in need
... and practice all of these things outside of the scope of their job or expected duties.
This year, the committee awarded TWO recipients: one for an individual (Ariana Kerrigan) and one for an organization (Crooked Coast).
It was only a matter of time before Ariana Kerrigan won this award, as her name is always mentioned when people talk about people who make Falmouth a great community. In her nomination for the Community Spirit Award, Ariana was described as “selfless” and someone who “constantly gives to our community.” The nominator cited the adult prom she organized to benefit Tommy's Place, the giving tree she organizes to benefit local families each Christmas, and the annual prom dress giveaway that she puts together at her store, Little Anchor Boutique. “Ariana opens her shop to other small businesses and allows them to do pop-ups at her shop, which is amazing,” wrote one person. “She welcomes in any local fundraisers to set up and she’s always the first person to donate or purchase what is being sold. Ariana continually welcomes my students into her shop to work on job skills and is so loving and compassionate about it. The thing that is the most admirable about her is that she doesn't want to be recognized for all of the amazing things that she does, but she is the first person to recognize others who do good things. Ariana is exactly what No Guff represents and I am so thankful to have her as a part of our Falmouth community.”
Falmouth’s hometown band, Crooked Coast, received dozens of nominations from people of all ages, who highlighted the band’s generosity and dedication to their hometown, playing at numerous school events for free. They were celebrated for sharing positive messages through music, serving as role models for young musicians, and working together as a team. Several people recalled how the band members played music in local neighborhoods on the back of a flatbed trailer to bring joy and community spirit during COVID lockdown days. Many people talked about the many ways Crooked Coast puts Falmouth first, even as they have gained in popularity and play in festivals up and down the east coast. Comments included: “they always show up for the community;” “they demonstrate you can be cool and work hard and have a positive outlook at the same time.” “They exhibit a community spirit that is uplifting and brings people together.” Members of Crooked Coast are Luke Vose, John Macnamara, Ben Elder and Shaqed Druyan.
Past Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award:
2022: Rich Rogers
2021: Greg Souza
2020: Susan Negri
2019: Darlene Braga
2018: Laura Peterson
2017: Annie Hart Cool
2016: Jennifer Connors
2015: Craig D'Amario
2014: Samantha Mueller
2023 marks the 10th year that the No Guff Community Spirit Award has been bestowed upon an individual who exemplifies the No Guff spirit in his or her daily life. Nominees must live or work in Falmouth; staff and students of Falmouth Public Schools are not eligible as awards are given within the schools).
Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award are those who:
- consistently display a positive attitude
- avoid talking negatively about others
- perform 'random acts of kindness'
- offer kind words or lend a hand to others in need
... and practice all of these things outside of the scope of their job or expected duties.
This year, the committee awarded TWO recipients: one for an individual (Ariana Kerrigan) and one for an organization (Crooked Coast).
It was only a matter of time before Ariana Kerrigan won this award, as her name is always mentioned when people talk about people who make Falmouth a great community. In her nomination for the Community Spirit Award, Ariana was described as “selfless” and someone who “constantly gives to our community.” The nominator cited the adult prom she organized to benefit Tommy's Place, the giving tree she organizes to benefit local families each Christmas, and the annual prom dress giveaway that she puts together at her store, Little Anchor Boutique. “Ariana opens her shop to other small businesses and allows them to do pop-ups at her shop, which is amazing,” wrote one person. “She welcomes in any local fundraisers to set up and she’s always the first person to donate or purchase what is being sold. Ariana continually welcomes my students into her shop to work on job skills and is so loving and compassionate about it. The thing that is the most admirable about her is that she doesn't want to be recognized for all of the amazing things that she does, but she is the first person to recognize others who do good things. Ariana is exactly what No Guff represents and I am so thankful to have her as a part of our Falmouth community.”
Falmouth’s hometown band, Crooked Coast, received dozens of nominations from people of all ages, who highlighted the band’s generosity and dedication to their hometown, playing at numerous school events for free. They were celebrated for sharing positive messages through music, serving as role models for young musicians, and working together as a team. Several people recalled how the band members played music in local neighborhoods on the back of a flatbed trailer to bring joy and community spirit during COVID lockdown days. Many people talked about the many ways Crooked Coast puts Falmouth first, even as they have gained in popularity and play in festivals up and down the east coast. Comments included: “they always show up for the community;” “they demonstrate you can be cool and work hard and have a positive outlook at the same time.” “They exhibit a community spirit that is uplifting and brings people together.” Members of Crooked Coast are Luke Vose, John Macnamara, Ben Elder and Shaqed Druyan.
Past Winners of the No Guff Community Spirit Award:
2022: Rich Rogers
2021: Greg Souza
2020: Susan Negri
2019: Darlene Braga
2018: Laura Peterson
2017: Annie Hart Cool
2016: Jennifer Connors
2015: Craig D'Amario
2014: Samantha Mueller
NO GUFF Week 2023: January 30 - February 3
Falmouth's annual NO GUFF Week is a time when students and staff work together to create a positive atmosphere in the school and avoid name-calling and put-downs. In 2001, Falmouth High School adjustment counselor Greg Gilbert was working with a group of students t find a proactive way to handle conflicts. They came up with the phrase "no guff" and worked with graphic arts teacher Doug Riebesehl to print No Guff t-shirts for students. Shortly after that first celebration, Mr. Riebesehl was killed in a tragic motorcycle accident. Since then, No Guff has been held in his remembrance, as he empowered students to get involved in creating a positive atmosphere. Each year, students and staff are asked to take the No Guff pledge, which states: I will not speak or text anything negative about anyone for an entire day.
This year’s NO GUFF Week marks the 22nd annual observation of a tradition unique to Falmouth. No Guff Week is a time to celebrate respect and anti-bullying. No Guff Week encourages celebrations of respect, community, and unity. In the schools, it is a time when students and staff work together to create a positive atmosphere in the school and avoid name-calling and put-downs. As they have for many years, local businesses Cavossa Disposal Corporation and Cape Cod Aggregates donated funds for this year’s NO GUFF Week t-shirts. Thank you!
This year’s NO GUFF Week marks the 22nd annual observation of a tradition unique to Falmouth. No Guff Week is a time to celebrate respect and anti-bullying. No Guff Week encourages celebrations of respect, community, and unity. In the schools, it is a time when students and staff work together to create a positive atmosphere in the school and avoid name-calling and put-downs. As they have for many years, local businesses Cavossa Disposal Corporation and Cape Cod Aggregates donated funds for this year’s NO GUFF Week t-shirts. Thank you!
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In 2021, Falmouth Celebrated 20 Years of No Guff,
marking a significant milestone from the first No Guff Day at Falmouth High School. Today, the observance of No Guff has expanded into a week-long event, celebrated at each of the Falmouth Public Schools, within the community, and proclaimed by Falmouth Select Board members as No Guff Week in Falmouth. A video that celebrates two decades of the No Guff tradition was created by Brian Switzer Video. |
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