“This time of year, people often say “Congratulations!” when they hear of what you’ve done. There’s a pause. And you smile demurely and say “Thank you”, accepting the polite word. But what that moment encompasses, that pause after congratulations, is not merely a second’s worth of time, it’s a year’s worth. It’s 1,700 hours worth. And in that moment, you remember your year of service: the early mornings, the late nights, the heartbreaking setbacks, and your incredible achievements.”
-Susan Yoon, beginning the corps address at City Year Boston Graduation
2010-2011 Corps Graduation
After a year of full-time service in schools and in the community, 134 City Year Boston corps members graduated on June 16 at Wheelock College’s Family Theatre. Corps member emcees Tom Kreuger and Nikketta Pressley led the ceremony, which featured remarks from Sandra Lopez Burke, City Year Boston's executive director, Allison Coleman Hardy, City Year alumna and adjunct professor at Wheelock, and a rousing keynote address by Robert Lewis Jr., vice president for program at The Boston Foundation.
Toward the close of his passionate remarks about working toward education equality, Robert Lewis Jr. – building off the previous night’s Bruins victory – compelled everyone in the room to cheer and applaud the corps with a standing ovation, with the same fervor normally displayed toward sports teams.“We’re on a journey to make sure every single child gets access to every opportunity they deserve – including a quality education. And the red wave is taking this city by storm.”
Corps members, teams and service partners received numerous awards to honor outstanding service, collaboration and community engagement. After each corps member received a certificate of graduation, James Koved and Susan Yoon expressed their reflections on the shared City Year experience in the corps address.
Awards and Honors:
- John O’ Connor Community Leadership Award: Nicholas Karoutsos, National Grid/PTC Team serving at Blackstone Elementary School
- Coolidge Citizenship Award: CSX Team serving at E. Greenwood Leadership Academy
- Moccasin Awards (for City Year service partners):
- Blackstone Elementary School staff
- Andy Puleo, senior engineer, Boston Public Schools Facilities Department
- Emily Pratt, director of literacy, Neighborhood House Charter School
- Comcast Leadership Award: Kevin Dua, team leader, Boston Renaissance Charter Public School Team
- WilmerHale Civic Innovation Award: Leigh Wilson, training project leader, Bain Capital Project Leader Team
“You are truly on of our city’s greatest assets. But your work is just beginning. City Year was just getting you ready. We need you for a lifetime of service. Our work is not even close to being done. But our children are closer because of you.” – Robert Lewis Jr., keynote address at City Year Boston Graduation
SAVE THE DATE: Parent Luncheon and Corps Graduation - June 14, 2012
