congratulations to the 2018 citizens who care honorees
The Citizens Who Care awards recognize civic-minded individuals or groups for their extraordinary contributions to the Andover community — above and beyond their normal job descriptions. Recipients have an Andover connection — living, working or volunteering in Andover.
The Educator of the Year award honors one educator in the Andover public school system who possesses these same exceptional values and qualities, both in and outside of the classroom, and who has made a significant and lasting difference in the lives of Andover students.
The Student of the Year award honors one student who possesses these exceptional values and qualities.
Rotary Club of Andover has recognized more than 160 people in their 22 years of Citizens Who Care awards and, for the last 11 years, with Educator of the Year.“We look forward to this night every year, to be together and celebrate the unsung heroes among us,” says Rotary President Amy Salant. “I invite you to a Rotary breakfast meeting any of our Friday mornings to learn more about the work we do,” she adds. “Join us, as our guest, and hear about the community activities we support. You’re certain to hear about a cause that speaks to you, one you can volunteer for and collaborate on, to feel the same sense of accomplishment this year’s honorees do.”
Rotary celebrates the spirit of volunteerism embodied in each honoree in professional gallery portraits, unveiled at the gala on May 17 and displayed throughout the year in Andover Town Hall and several banks and commercial buildings. Eventually the Andover Center for History & Culture archives the portraits.
Thank you to DANIEL DOKE, FINE ART PORTAITS, of North Reading for donating portraits of this year's Citizens Who Care honorees!
Meet the 2018 Citizens Who Care award honorees:
- Vicky Bernard, initially an Ironstone volunteer supporting kids with special needs and now a dedicated member of their Board of Trustees
- Amy and Chris Bositis, committed to reducing the transmission of HIV, from Zambia to the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center
- Dianne Caraviello, 2018 Educator of the Year, Bancroft Elementary School kindergarten champion and founder of Family to Family
- Steve Caron, newsletter publisher of The Serving Brother, Catholic instruction designed to comfort incarcerated people in the U.S., Canada, and the world
- Dave Floreen, a banking veteran and financial mentor to high school youth through the Credit for Life program
- MaryRuth Luther, Ironstone Farm volunteer and pony whisperer, founder of Greater Lawrence Tech’s
Parent Connection programming, and volunteer and Board member for the Andover Center for History & Culture - Natalee Rozon, 2018 Student of the Year, straight-A Andover High School senior and vice president of AHS Interact Club,
Rotary’s high school club, which raised $10,000 for the Special Olympics - Sheila Sarrrao, supporter of Andover and Lawrence schools and multiple nonprofits, including Lazarus House, Girl Scouts, Cape Cod Baseball and St. Augustine Parish
- Ted Teichert, advocate for a vibrant downtown Andover through the Andover Chamber of Commerce, Andover Business Community Association, Bazaar Days and Andover Day
- Klara Vadja, passionate member of St. Augustine Parish and leader of numerous ministries