Congratulations to our sixth graders Celia Malone and Seo-Ho Lee who were recently selected as recipients of the Human Rights Heroes Award!
Each year for 11 years, the Human Rights Commission has celebrated the achievements of Amherst area young people who have shown an ability to love and care for one another through demonstrated acts of kindness, unselfishness, social courage and/or community service within their families, their schools, or the community. Nominations are invited by educators and community members who have observed young people engaged in the display of one or more of these traits in the past year.
This year, Celia and Seo-Ho were caught in the act!
The Commission presented awards to ten of this year’s recipients at its annual community picnic on Sunday, June 14, 2015 at the Mill River Recreation Area, 95 Montague Road in Amherst.
Celia Malone
The Amherst Human Rights Commission presents a Human Rights Hero Award to Celia Malone, completing 6thgrade at Fort River Elementary School. According to her nominator, Celia is consistently a positive social force in the Fort River School community. She stands up for what is right. Whether she is making sure to include others in games at recess, standing up to bullying behavior, or simply being a loyal friend, Celia’s positive actions have a major impact on those around her. Celia is a member of the Fort River Student Council. She brings a mature perspective to the group’s discussions. Celia articulates a sophisticated comprehension of student identity issues and how these might factors affect students in their day-to-day activities at school. She is always very thoughtful and considerate of others’ perspectives, especially those of students and families who may not have the resources that others have. Celia is inclusive of others, including peers who don't seem to hold the same social awareness. She maintains her values but not at the expense of others. She truly exemplifies what it means to be a Student Leader.
Seo-Ho Lee
The Amherst Human Rights Commission presents a Human Rights Hero Award to Seo-Ho Lee, completing 6thgrade at Fort River Elementary School. Seo-Ho makes so many positive contributions to the community at Fort River School. She and her family were new to Amherst this fall and Seo-Ho made numerous connections almost immediately. She has an uncanny ability for picking up on the positive things that she sees her classmates doing and making sure they are recognized. Seo-Ho often goes out of her way to help others.
Seo-Ho has also come into her own as an activist this year. While researching an article she was writing in Language Arts about teen activists who are fighting racism, Seo-Ho became inspired to take action herself. She asked what else an anti-racism activist might do beyond protest or march. Seo-Ho decided to invite a panel of guest speakers to talk to the 6th grade about racism and what kids can do about it. In early April the event happened and produced valuable discussion amongst the students on an issue that has been widely talked on both the local and national level. Seo-Ho’s excitement about the issues she cares about is truly infectious, as many of her peers have started to express interest in getting involved as well. Fort River, Amherst, and society in general need more students like Seo-Ho Lee who not only have a deeply held appreciation for those around them, but are also willing to take a critical eye to the problems they see in our society and do something about them.