By Cindy Zomar, Education Coordinator
Hudson – Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School Senior Alexa Shea was delighted, recently, to learn that an essay of hers had won the prestigious Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizens Award.
Focusing on the strength that comes in numbers and the example of the unification of the United States after the horror of 9/11, Shea’s essay caught the attention of the judges who were looking for students “who possess the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism in their homes, schools, and communities” according to their website.
“There is no limit to how much good one person can do,” Shea wrote in her essay. “But the good is amplified when we stand together as one.”
Reaching out to the Daughters of the American Revolution
Shea learned about this contest from her guidance counselor, Ryan McCabe, in the fall. Aware of the work done by the Daughters of the American Revolution to make a difference in the world, Shea acknowledged that she shared their values and agreed to apply.
McCabe is not surprised Shea then won.
“Alexa is an awesome kid,” he said in recent comments to the Community Advocate. “She works hard, is responsible, and is not afraid to branch out. She is so gracious and represents Assabet Valley as well as any student could.”
Leading from many roles
Outside of this most recent writing success, McCabe still heaps praise on Shea. Specifically he recalls a recent planning meeting with student leaders about generating ideas for a COVID-safe senior week.
“[Shea] has a lead role,” McCabe said. “With her resiliency in representing her class while understanding where the administration is coming from with COVID restrictions and other parameters, she rises to the top. She is humble and sweet and advocates for the entire school.”
Shea is both Vice President of the Class of 2021 and Vice President of the Assabet chapter of the National Honor Society. She’s a part of the Principal’s Leadership Team, Student Council, and Business Professionals of America all while captaining and teaching dance at Dance on Dance Center in Hudson.
After school, she also works with children from kindergarten through fourth grade at the CHAPS early education center at the Hubert School, also in Hudson.
Looking to the future
As a senior in the Business Technology program at Assabet, Shea has already earned her Microsoft certifications for five platforms, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook. “When I first arrived at Assabet I was unsure which program I wanted,” she said. “But I knew that the presentation and communication skills I’d get in Business Tech would be helpful regardless of my final career choice.”
Shea is now leaning toward Mass College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences for her post-secondary schooling. There, she would like to enter the pre-med and health sciences programs on her way to becoming a pediatrician.
Finding joy in a chaotic year
As COVID-19 has disrupted her junior and senior academic years, Shea has found ways to cope while moving forward with her personal, professional and academic life.
“Being proactive and putting as much normalcy as is safely possible in my life and participating virtually in as much as I can has helped me,” she said, later adding, “Having Business Tech in school every other week really boosts my mood.”
Assabet has been operating on a hybrid model with students alternating between remote academic weeks and in-person technical program weeks.
Entering the home stretch before graduation, this spring’s Daughters of the American Revolution award victory is, of course, another moment of joy.
“I want to thank everyone who’s helped me over the last four years to excel and achieve such awesome opportunities,” she concluded.
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