Three area graduating high school students are this year’s recipients of the “Be the Change” award, given annually by the Kennett Area Democrats to one student at each of the three high schools located in the region the organization serves. 

Those receiving $1,000 post-high school education awards were Melissa Griswold of Unionville High School, Genesis Juarez Vasquez of Kennett High School and Ella Paige Carwile of Avon Grove High School.

Now in its seventh year, the “Be the Change” award recognizes one student from the Avon Grove, Kennett Consolidated and Unionville-Chadds Ford school districts who has demonstrated meaningful social change in their respective school and community. In addition to the award, each recipient will receive a letter of commendation by the Kennett Area Democrats. 

To qualify for the award, a student must submit an 800-word essay describing the project or initiative they have participated in to advance positive change that includes specific examples of how his or her actions positively influenced the lives of people or a person. Further, each essayist must describe how they will carry their endeavors into the future. 

‘Youth input and leadership is no longer optional’

In her essay, Griswold wrote that her key aspiration in life is to “be a part of the solution to hunger relief.” When she begins at Tufts University in the fall, Griswold will study Community Health and Food Systems and Nutrition with particular interest in the dairy industry and dairy products, stemming in part from her background as a dairy farmer.

“Unfortunately, some of the most commonly undersupplied items in food banks are dairy products,” Griswold wrote in her essay. “To address this challenge, I’ve worked to increase the milk supply in my Pennsylvania region. As a Chester County Dairy Ambassador, I provided free milk to families in need during the pandemic at a local milk drive. Also, during the pandemic, my sister and I started our own mask-making business with a shop on Etsy. By donating $1 for each mask we sold, combined with people’s additional donations, we raised $350 to give to Fill A Glass With Hope, a dairy distribution program. 

“By partnering with Fill A Glass With Hope and Philabundance, an urban food bank, I helped to increase milk distribution throughout my region.”

Griswold wrote that in addition to her studies, she plans to work at the school’s student-run grocery store and partner with the Massachusetts dairy community and university departments to “promote collaborative efforts that combat food insecurity.”

“With the exponential change our world faces, youth input and leadership is no longer optional, no longer a plan for the future,” she wrote. “It is necessary now for young people to work together to create solutions to major problems.”

‘We are the change we wish to see’

For Vasquez, who will be attending Wheaton College in the fall, becoming “the change” “grows like a second skin to our body,” she wrote in her essay. “We are the change we wish to see in the world. Give to others how you wish to be given back. Being kind is a talent, one I’ve perfected. I welcome and gather people around to be one whole cohesion. I’ve met people throughout all four years of my high school experience. I’ve lost and gained, which is the cycle of life. I make one-on-one friendships that expand into groups that a plethora of people can enjoy all together.”

Throughout her four years at Kennett High School, Vasquez served as a translator for the Spanish-speaking parents of students, assisted her fellow students in writing essays and volunteered as a supervisor to middle-school students who attend the After-the-Bell program. 

“Throughout my four years at Kennett, it feels as though those actions are small,” wrote Vasquez, who included in the essay her aspirations to become an attorney. “Which some are, but the sense of accomplishment and gratitude after helping someone makes those small moments so much greater. 

“How will I bring change to the future? I wonder about that. I’ll carry on helping those whenever I’m asked. I’m always ready to lend a hand and help whenever it’s needed.”

‘A community is everything’

When Carwile entered Avon Grove High School four years ago, the school did not have a Cancer Society Club, so with no advisor, no funding, no cabinet and no members, she approached her field hockey coach about becoming an advisor to the group, and soon after, several of her fellow students became members.

Eventually, more of Carwile’s Avon Grove classmates joined, a cabinet was formed, by-laws were created and student membership grew to more than 100 and during her sophomore year, Carwile was voted the club’s president. During her junior year, the Cancer Society Club held two fundraising events.

“When a fellow student at Avon Grove High School was diagnosed with cancer, we quickly jumped in to support her and her family during this time,” Carwile wrote. “From students, teachers, parents, and coaches, we were able to reach the entire Avon Grove community. Through our fundraising efforts we were able to provide the family with gift cards, candles, blankets, nail polish, jewelry, and baked goods. 

“This fundraiser helped me realize that our club can impact our local community as much as the broader national foundation we were supporting.”

This past April, Carwile and her fellow members organized a 5K Cancer Awareness Walk that drew participation from the entire Avon Grove, Kennett and Oxford communities.  

“These past years have taught me that a community is everything,” wrote Carwile, who plans to continue her work for the Cancer Society at Ithaca College. “I never would have guessed four years ago restarting an entire club would help bring people together and raise money for a much-needed cause. The Cancer Society at Avon Grove High School has grown tremendously, and I cannot wait to see what it accomplishes with the next class.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].