Driven to help others…Plymouth North students win

March 31, 2010 - PRLog -- PLYMOUTH, MA…

In the two years since its inception, the Tracy Chevrolet Driven Student program has honored a number of Plymouth high school students for excelling inside and outside the classroom. This month’s honorees, members of Maggie Madden’s Literature class, are being recognized for their efforts as students and as teachers.

As students, the group participated in a “Share Literacy” program, which involves interaction with Life Skills students. In addition to helping them with their reading skills, Mrs. Madden’s students helped the Life Skills perform an abbreviated version of Charles Dickens’ Christmas Carol.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever been more proud of a group of students,” said Mrs. Madden. “The Life Skills students had a lot of fun in putting on the play but I think our students received the real gift. They had a chance to step outside their comfort zone and do something for others and that’s truly a gift.”

In addition to working with the Life Skills students, Mrs. Madden’s class initiated a school-wide “Adopt a Platoon” program. The initial intent of the program was for PNHS students to send letters to soldiers overseas. This class, however, took it a step further, adopting a specific soldier, Matthew Randall, a graduate of Plymouth South High School and son of Plymouth North custodian Dan Randall.

Presently stationed in South Korea and serving as a physician’s assistant, PFC Randall recently visited the class on Friday, March 26.  On that same day, Mrs. Madden’s class was recognized as the Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Driven Students of the Month award.

In recognition of their work with the Life Skills students and the Adopt a Platoon program, the students were treated to a pizza party, courtesy of Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac. Tracy Chevrolet Cadillac Service Manager Rick McGue delivered the pizzas to the students and teachers attending the party.

Students taking part in mentoring the Life Skills students and the Adopt-a-Platoon program include: Adam Benedict, James Bradley, Alexander Dearn, Amber Desrosier, Dani Diaz, Deirdre Hill, Thomas Kane, Mike Khederian, Christopher Rose, Chris Schaefer and Ryan Shea.  In addition to their teacher, Mrs. Madden, these students rely on the aide of Alida Nickerson, Adjustment Counselor and Tanya Little, Student Support Specialist.