P.O. Box 1002
Newburyport, MA 01950
978.463.7893
For Immediate Release February 12, 2015
For more information, contact Katrina Salka at
NEF Seeks Nominations for 2014 Ed Award: Due by March 2
Newburyport, MA--The Newburyport Education Foundation (NEF) is now accepting nominations for the annual Ed Award. The award, created in 2004, is given annually to an individual or organization in the community whose leadership, acts and support have raised the level of excellence in the Newburyport Public Schools.
The purpose of the award is to honor recipients and raise awareness for the importance of community involvement in the Newburyport Public Schools. The 2004 inaugural award honored Ed Molin, a supporter of the Newburyport Public Schools through many projects and donations that contributed significantly to the quality of the City's public schools. The award for Excellence in Education is awarded annually and is called the Ed Award: Ed for education, Ed for Edward Molin.
Anyone in the Newburyport community can submit a nomination by sending a letter to the Newburyport Education Foundation Executive Committee at PO Box 1002, Newburyport, MA, 01950, or via email to . The letter should include a detailed list of activities, programs and efforts made by the individual or organization that enhanced Newburyport Public Schools. Current school district employees, including educators and administrators, are excluded from consideration.
Deadline for nominations is March 2, 2015.
Past Winners of the Ed Award:
Edward Molin (2004)
Founding board member of the NEF and longtime school supporter, Molin served as mayor and School
Committee member and was a reliable source of philanthropy and fundraising to fill needs in the schools. Molin established the Molin Awards for teachers, underwrote personalized books for first graders, and did much more.
Michael Strem and Robert McLellan (2005)
Founding members and past presidents of the Newburyport Education Business Coalition, Strem and
McLellan responded to the Grace Commission's call for business leaders to step up and work with the schools to ensure that students were prepared for the workplace. The NEBC was the first 501(c)(3) founded in Newburyport with a mission of enhancing education.
Trustees of the Institution for Savings (2006)
Board members were honored for unanimously approving an expenditure of $500,000 that allowed for the renovation of the Middle School Science labs in 2006. They also pledged $100,000 over ten years to bring motivational science speakers into the schools and to provide maintenance funds for the science labs.
George Cashman and all school volunteers (2007)
Founding board member of the NEF and tireless volunteer, Cashman was honored posthumously for his leadership in philanthropy for education and for demonstrating the power of volunteerism in changing the world.
The NHS Alumni Association (2008)
Rare among public high schools, the Alumni Association has raised thousands of dollars to further the education of NHS graduates. In addition to their scholarships, they also host an annual Teachers Tea and keep alumni connected through their newsletter.
Penny Lazarus (2009)
As a volunteer, Penny Lazarus played an integral part in establishing school gardens at the elementary and middle schools and worked with the schools and the teachers to develop curriculum and expand learning outside the classroom into the gardens.
Jim Stehlin (2010)
A distinguished former teacher, athletic director and coach at Newburyport High School, Jim Stehlin has had far-reaching and lasting influence on the youth and community of Newburyport.
Carl Beal and NHS Class of 1953 (2011)
This active and generous group of alumni, led by Class President Carl Beal, has provided ongoing support and fundraising for the NHS library over the last eight years and been an exemplary leader for all NHS alumni.
Richard Eaton (2012)
Richard Eaton has been actively involved in the city of Newburyport and the support of students, young athletes, and the public schools for the past 50 years. His active involvement in the community and his philanthropic leadership has influenced and impacted thousands of students.
Claude and Laura Elias (2013)
Supportive parents and instrumental in fundraising for our schools, the Eliases have had a positive impact in the community and in Newburyport’s schools. They have opened their restaurant, Oregano Pizzeria and Ristorante, on many occasions for fundraising efforts for the PTO as well as the NEF. Oregano is a long time sponsor at events in both the educational community and community at large. The Eliases and Oregano are exemplary community leaders through their service not only to the schools but local sports organizations and the Salvation Army.
Rob Ouellette (2014)
Over the last 11 years, Ouellette has supported and enhanced the Newburyport Public Schools through his volunteerism with the NEF, as a supporter through his company Amesbury Skate & Sport, and as a key figure in the annual 100 Day Celebration in the kindergarten classes. He is also an active community member and, along with other volunteers, assisted in establishing Newburyport Youth Lacrosse, is a past Board Member of Lucy’s Love Bus, currently serves on the Board of the Lt. Derek Hines Soldiers Assistance Foundation and continues to be involved in youth sports.
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About the Newburyport Education Foundation (NEF)
The mission of the Newburyport Education Foundation is to bring philanthropy into the Newburyport Public Schools and generate financial resources that will enhance the quality of public education throughout the school district. Formed to enhance educational opportunities for the City’s public school children, the goal of the Newburyport Education Foundation is to supplement funding for programs that are already supported by public financing at a basic level, but which can be substantially improved by additional private sector financing, and to finance programs that might not receive funding from traditional sources such as the district budget or state aid.
For more information about the Newburyport Education Foundation email or visit www.NewburyportEF.org.