On May 25, over 250 student published authors, teachers, and families gathered to celebrate the publication of Volume XXXII of "The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond."
We were so proud to welcome and celebrate students from all over New England at this festive event. Awards were bestowed on Blakeman Allen for The Champion of Courage Award in gratitude for her many years of volunteer efforts -- spearheading a fruitful project with Phillips Andover's Non Sibi Committee for public service in support of our Essay Judging Day, helping to create a new MAXCourage International Committee, and coordinating the re-establishment of MAXCourage in Pakistan. The Elsie Wilmerding Award for Excellence in Teaching was awarded to Boston Public Schools Teacher Erin Hannon-Foley of the Roosevelt K-8 School in Hyde Park. Incidentally, Erin is a MAXCourage alumnus from 1991, as she participated in the program as a child in Boston. What an incredible full circle moment!
Our Keynote Speaker, 2007 MAXFellow Afnan Nehela, The Communications Director and Policy Adviser for MA State Senator Jamie Eldridge, addressed the crowd, saying she vividly remembered this day when she was in 6th grade. "What is remarkable though, when diversity and inclusivity were not concepts discussed in mainstream media, MAXCourage led by example when they uplifted my narrative and chose my essay as the winner, that too took courage." Afnan's essay talked about the backlash against Muslim-Americans after 9/11. Afnan joined our Advisory Board recently.
Thank you to our event sponsors -- City of Boston Credit Union, Boston Teachers Union, Angela and Ben Cavallo, and Elizabeth and Jeremiah Daly. Also, thanks to the Boston Red Sox who provided every student and teacher (and a guest) with tickets to a Red Sox game at Fenway Park this summer! See below for the reaction from the crowd at the surprise announcement!