VIPS Volunteer Appreciation Dinner 2019
VIPS Celebrates the Year and Presents Awards
The Falmouth Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS) program held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on, May 7th, 2019 at The Coonamessett. Falmouth VIPS volunteers provide “an experience, a perspective, an opportunity that helps shape the students and guide their journey.” Bob Fenstermaker, VIPS Board co-chair, thanked those present, pointing out the involvement of the entire community in Falmouth’s schools. He introduced Superintendent Dr. Lori Duerr, who is just wrapping up first year of leadership in Falmouth Public Schools. Dr. Duerr said that the VIPS program was one of the things that made an impression on her and she has enjoyed getting to know the volunteers and programs. VIPS Executive Director Tracey Crago also welcomed guests from other school districts with whom VIPS is working to share its model. VIPS began in 1982 as a way to connect the community to the public schools. What started with eight volunteers at Falmouth High School, today includes just under 1,000 volunteers who share their enthusiasm, talents, and time with the students, faculty, and administrators at each of Falmouth’s seven schools. Now in its 36th year, volunteers have logged 1,194,374 hours, making it one of the most active—and emulated—public school volunteering programs in the state. During the recognition event, Crago highlighted the importance of community partnerships in sustaining and growing the VIPS programs, and the tremendous support from district administration and the school committee.
Special recognition honors were presented to volunteers from each school whose efforts are considered outstanding by fellow volunteers, staff members, and students. This year’s winners include: Libby Signell, from Falmouth High School, a recently retired engineer who has dedicated this year to volunteerism including tutoring students at FHS and Lawrence, and delivering Junior Achievement lessons to elementary students; Jake Tworek from Lawrence School, who serves as a wonderful resource to students by offering one-to-one tutoring and Saturday School sessions throughout the year; Mary Faidell from Morse Pond, whose kindness, smile, and can-do attitude has led to successful school and PTO events; Karen Igo from East Falmouth Elementary, a mentor whose mentee describes as “creative, loving, and inspiring” and says she doesn’t know what she’d do with her; Sam Patterson from Mullen-Hall Elementary, who “demonstrates commitment, an engaging attitude, thoughtfulness, and organization” and who has inspired students with whom he works to want to be “just like him when they grow up;” Judith Kelley, whose smile and positive attitude builds student trust and inspires success, while her experience as an educator and administrator helps staff members see the impacts of their work; and Sara Dutra from Teaticket Elementary, whose kindness, sense of humor, and support of both students and staff members in numerous roles encourages others to get involved. Recipients received engraved plates designed for VIPS by Woods Hole potter Tessa Lineweaver, of Flying Pig Pottery.
In addition to the many adult volunteers, VIPS encourages and supports student volunteers. This year, the VIPS Board of Advisors and Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation funded scholarships to two Class of 2019 Falmouth High School members who exemplify a dedication to volunteerism and community service. This year’s recipients are Isabelle Edgar, daughter of Ben and Anne Edgar of Falmouth, and Phoebe Kasparian, daughter of Michael and Daria Kasparian of North Falmouth. Isabelle, who will attend Stanford University in the fall, has volunteered at several school and community events. In her application, Isabelle wrote “there is a certain magic to working with children in your community.” Her volunteer time with elementary students at Mullen-Hall has “taught me to be open to new ideas.” Phoebe, who will head to University of Vermont in the Fall, has volunteered for numerous community organizations and events. In her application, she recalled a particular volunteering experience at Falmouth Service Center as a memory that helped her gain a deeper appreciation for her own circumstances while seeing the importance of helping others. She wrote that the experience “showed me the true meaning of giving back and I am a more humble person because of it.” This year’s scholarship pool was strong; applicants contributed over 2,550 volunteer hours as high school students.
This year’s VIPS recognition event was sponsored by Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Falmouth Lumber, The Valle Group, and the Rotary Club of Falmouth Cape Cod.
The Falmouth Volunteers In Public Schools (VIPS) program held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner on, May 7th, 2019 at The Coonamessett. Falmouth VIPS volunteers provide “an experience, a perspective, an opportunity that helps shape the students and guide their journey.” Bob Fenstermaker, VIPS Board co-chair, thanked those present, pointing out the involvement of the entire community in Falmouth’s schools. He introduced Superintendent Dr. Lori Duerr, who is just wrapping up first year of leadership in Falmouth Public Schools. Dr. Duerr said that the VIPS program was one of the things that made an impression on her and she has enjoyed getting to know the volunteers and programs. VIPS Executive Director Tracey Crago also welcomed guests from other school districts with whom VIPS is working to share its model. VIPS began in 1982 as a way to connect the community to the public schools. What started with eight volunteers at Falmouth High School, today includes just under 1,000 volunteers who share their enthusiasm, talents, and time with the students, faculty, and administrators at each of Falmouth’s seven schools. Now in its 36th year, volunteers have logged 1,194,374 hours, making it one of the most active—and emulated—public school volunteering programs in the state. During the recognition event, Crago highlighted the importance of community partnerships in sustaining and growing the VIPS programs, and the tremendous support from district administration and the school committee.
Special recognition honors were presented to volunteers from each school whose efforts are considered outstanding by fellow volunteers, staff members, and students. This year’s winners include: Libby Signell, from Falmouth High School, a recently retired engineer who has dedicated this year to volunteerism including tutoring students at FHS and Lawrence, and delivering Junior Achievement lessons to elementary students; Jake Tworek from Lawrence School, who serves as a wonderful resource to students by offering one-to-one tutoring and Saturday School sessions throughout the year; Mary Faidell from Morse Pond, whose kindness, smile, and can-do attitude has led to successful school and PTO events; Karen Igo from East Falmouth Elementary, a mentor whose mentee describes as “creative, loving, and inspiring” and says she doesn’t know what she’d do with her; Sam Patterson from Mullen-Hall Elementary, who “demonstrates commitment, an engaging attitude, thoughtfulness, and organization” and who has inspired students with whom he works to want to be “just like him when they grow up;” Judith Kelley, whose smile and positive attitude builds student trust and inspires success, while her experience as an educator and administrator helps staff members see the impacts of their work; and Sara Dutra from Teaticket Elementary, whose kindness, sense of humor, and support of both students and staff members in numerous roles encourages others to get involved. Recipients received engraved plates designed for VIPS by Woods Hole potter Tessa Lineweaver, of Flying Pig Pottery.
In addition to the many adult volunteers, VIPS encourages and supports student volunteers. This year, the VIPS Board of Advisors and Eastern Bank Charitable Foundation funded scholarships to two Class of 2019 Falmouth High School members who exemplify a dedication to volunteerism and community service. This year’s recipients are Isabelle Edgar, daughter of Ben and Anne Edgar of Falmouth, and Phoebe Kasparian, daughter of Michael and Daria Kasparian of North Falmouth. Isabelle, who will attend Stanford University in the fall, has volunteered at several school and community events. In her application, Isabelle wrote “there is a certain magic to working with children in your community.” Her volunteer time with elementary students at Mullen-Hall has “taught me to be open to new ideas.” Phoebe, who will head to University of Vermont in the Fall, has volunteered for numerous community organizations and events. In her application, she recalled a particular volunteering experience at Falmouth Service Center as a memory that helped her gain a deeper appreciation for her own circumstances while seeing the importance of helping others. She wrote that the experience “showed me the true meaning of giving back and I am a more humble person because of it.” This year’s scholarship pool was strong; applicants contributed over 2,550 volunteer hours as high school students.
This year’s VIPS recognition event was sponsored by Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Falmouth Lumber, The Valle Group, and the Rotary Club of Falmouth Cape Cod.
Photos from the 2019 Volunteer Recognition Dinner courtesy of Ted Murphy and Drawde Geishecker
