Hull’s Memorial Middle School Project 351 Ambassador Makes Strides Serving Community

HULL — Superintendent Judith Kuehn and Principal Anthony Hrivnak are pleased to report that a Memorial Middle School student has been serving as Hull’s 2022 Ambassador to Project 351 this year.

Memorial eighth grade student Emily Irby was the student chosen for the role, based on her history of service, academic achievement, and potential for leadership.

Project 351 is an independent non-profit organization that builds a movement of youth-led service by engaging an unsung hero from each of Massachusetts’ 351 cities and towns. United for a year of leadership and service, Ambassadors transform communities, elevate kindness, advance social justice and gain the courage, compassion and capabilities to lead change.

Halfway through her service year, Irby has already left her mark on Project 351 and the Hull community. Through the use of social media, school announcements and engaging teachers from several grades for support, she organized the students of Memorial Middle School and the Lillian M. Jacobs Elementary School in donating over 640 pieces of clothing, more than several of Hull’s neighboring larger towns, to Cradles to Crayons for children in need.

This effort could not have been accomplished without the incredible support from Memorial Middle School Project 351 Advisor Sharon Striglio, Memorial Principal Anthony Hrivnak, and Jacobs Principal Christine Cappadona.

As part of Hull’s Memorial Day Ceremony, Irby was asked by the Town to read Governor Charlie Baker’s Memorial Day Proclamation at the Hull Gold Star Mothers’ Monument on Memorial Day. On Saturday, June 18, the Project 351 Ambassadors and alumni spanning several years all met at Gillette Stadium to meet Governor and First Lady Baker and longtime New England Patriots player Matthew Slater as well as other community members and leaders. The day was spent learning about service and community engagement. The group capped the day off by packaging kids’ camp care packages, so that disadvantaged children have all the necessities to attend summer camps.

Attempting to focus her service locally, Irby is currently brainstorming opportunities for a service project dedicated to the citizens of Hull.

About Project 351

Founded by Governor Deval Patrick in 2011, Project 351 allows its student Ambassadors to develop the skills and confidence to mobilize their schools and communities in various service campaigns. Ambassadors are selected by educators in their community based on their kindness, compassion, humility, gratitude and dedication to helping others.

Ambassadors have several opportunities to serve their community throughout the year, including collecting donations for Cradles to Crayons in the spring, honoring veterans at Memorial Day events in May, partnering with the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund to pay tribute to local and statewide victims of Sept. 11, and raising awareness, resources and food donations to restock the shelves of their hometown food pantry after Thanksgiving and in advance of the December holidays.