Student receives female leadership award

PHOTO/SUBMITTED Nicole Pasternak Flynn receives a scholarship from Deborah Penta.

Westborough - Nicole Pasternak Flynn is this year's winner of the Deborah A. Penta Female Leadership Scholarship. A 2007 Westborough High School (WHS) graduate, Flynn is headed to Villanova University this fall.

The Deborah A. Penta Female Leadership Scholarship was founded in 2005 by Deborah Penta, CEO of Penta Communications Inc. in Westborough. Penta devised the award in order to help inspire and acknowledge female high school students who excel in their leadership roles in academia, as well as community service.

"Each year, we are increasingly impressed with the quality of applicants we receive," Penta said. "It is a pleasure to meet so many intelligent and well-rounded young women who look forward to joining the ranks of becoming a female leader in a particular field or industry of interest. They worked hard in school, achieved high academic standing and managed to excel in community service, volunteerism, athletics, and many other areas. At a very young age, they are learning the art of life balance and how to make it work for them."

Applicants for the scholarship must be college-bound female high school seniors, must submit three letters of recommendation from faculty members or other individuals who can attest to the student's leadership qualities, and must write a 200-word essay that states why they feel they should receive the scholarship.

Flynn said that when she was reading about the different scholarships available, this particular one stood out.

"I just saw it and said, 'That's me,'" Flynn said. "I really enjoy doing community service. I am a part of the National Honor Society, and as part of that, you must perform at least 20 hours of community service every half year."

Some of Flynn's community service include: de- livering meals to Jeremiah's Inn in Worcester, being an assistant field hockey coach for middle school children in the Westborough Recreation Department, volunteering at Worcester Medical Center, working with at-risk thirdgraders in the Time Traveler's program, participating in the Community Harvest Project, and going overseas to Lourdes, France, to volunteer at the holy site.

"Each year, our candidates are very diff erent. In listening to Nicole share her experiences in helping the nuns in Lourdes, France, it was quite remarkable to see how she recognized that this amazing miracle site 'called her' to help those in need. She saw many things in Lourdes that will remain in her mind and in her heart forever, and those memories have helped shaped her future aspirations," Penta said.

As a WHS student, Flynn excelled in academics, taking four Advanced Placement classes, while also being on the varsity field hockey team, Student Council, French Club and being actively involved in her church's religious education program.

"Her reputation among faculty, administration and her peers is outstanding," wrote Edward Belbin, chair of the WHS Social Studies Department. "Much of this can be [attributed] to the respect she has for others and the faith she has in the ability of herself and her peers to make significant contributions to the benefit of society,"

Flynn said she is undecided about her career.

"I'm not sure yet what I'll do," she said. "Maybe I'll pursue a career in law, or maybe politics. Whatever I do, I want to do something to be of use to others. I want to get out there and do something to help. I think I'll always be doing community service. I'm my happiest when I'm helping others. It just feels so good."