Page 48 - BusinessWest June 13, 2022

18 Under 18
Continued from page 30
es. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and the soccer team. Outside of school, she is an organizer and active participant in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where she regularly participates in fundraising and aware- ness events for the cause, which hits close to home; her brother lives with type-1 diabetes.
Alondra Nieves, Grade 10, Business Information Technology Program, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy: Academically, Nieves maintains a 4.0 GPA. Creatively, during the pandemic, she start- ed teaching herself to play the guitar and write music, using her skills and talents as a poet to create songs. She is actively involved in the Hampden County Dis- trict Attorney Youth Advisory Board with responsibili- ties on the Mental Health Teen Task Force. She also reads to elementary students, participated in the Stop the Swerve Campaign, and helped with a school-wide food collection.
Sean O’Dea, Grade 12, Mohawk Trail Regional High School: O’Dea is captain of his cross-country team,
a member of the Student Council, secretary of the Key Club, a member of the National Honor Society and student representative to the School Commit- tee. He was also selected by his teachers to represent the Town of Heath for Project 351, a non-profit lead by Governor Baker to develop the next generation of community-first leaders through youth service. For his AP language course, he wrote and produced a video essay highlighting local environmental issues in Franklin County.
Ricardo Ortiz, Grade 8, Marcus M. Kiley Middle School: Ortiz moved to Springfield from Guatemala at age 11, speaking only Spanish. He has since par- ticipated in the Empowerment Academy and the
school band, where he plays clarinet. This year, he campaigned successfully to establish a Yearbook Club and inspired the idea of painting an 8th grade mural, so students can leave their mark for future genera- tions. He aspires to be the first person in his family
to graduate from college, with the goal of becoming an entrepreneur and opening his own flower shop to honor his late grandmother.
Het Parikh, Grade 12, West Springfield High School: Leader of the percussion section of the school band, Parikh is also a member of the National Honor Soci- ety and the Key Club, and serves as a student tutor and participant in the Innovation Pathways Program. He has maintained a 3.92 cumulative GPA while simultaneously earning more than 30 transferable college credits. Outside of school, he has volunteered at the Lions Club Food Kitchen at the Big E, the clean-up of Mittineague Park, and the local senior center, where he runs a smart phone clinic.
Parmila Sarki, Grade 12, Business Information Technology Program, Roger L. Putnam Vocational Technical Academy: Since her freshman year, Sarki has been involved with Junior Achievement, partici- pating in the annual Stock Market Competition, the 100th Anniversary Gala and Parade and the Summer Accelerator. She also served as a High School Hero, teaching financial literacy to younger students. Dur- ing the pandemic, she worked with her teacher to create videos to help younger students understand financial literacy concepts. After school, she helps first graders with schoolwork.
Jadyn Smith, Grade 11 Chicopee High School: This student activist works to make the school a better place by advocating on behalf of the entire student body. As a member of the National Honor Society, Smith helps facilitate fundraisers, including one for a school in Ukraine, and is also on the Student Council fundraising committee. Outside of school, she enjoys
volunteering at her local church, helping to address food insecurity, and is an assistant manager at McK- instry Market Garden.
Kayla Staley, Grade 11, Springfield Conservatory of the Arts: An accomplished singer, Staley has been featured at events across the community ranging from school graduation ceremonies to the Union Sta- tion Tree Lighting Ceremony and the Western Mas- sachusetts Chorus Festival. She also excels academi- cally and is president of her class and a member of the National Honor Society. She was selected as a stu- dent representative for the Springfield Public Schools Portrait of a Graduate, and to receive private coach- ing from Broadway stars, college professors and other masterclasses.
Victoria Weagle, Grade 11, Frontier Regional High School: This exemplary student leader is passionate about her community and finding creative solutions to complicated problems. Weagle is greatly gifted in scientific research, and hopes to develop these skills in college and throughout her life. She is involved in Quiz Bowl and many extracurricular science projects, including a volunteer research trip to Dominica in 2023, for which she has saved up her own funds.
Nominations for the 18 Under 18 were open to anyone 18 years or younger who attends school in Hampden, Hampshire, Franklin, or Berkshire coun- ties. Judging criteria was divided in three catego- ries: innovative spirit, leadership, and community involvement.
Beyond the award recognition, the students select- ed will benefit from a meaningful new network of community leaders and peers and may receive addi- tional opportunities through event partners. They will also be invited to participate in a virtual leadership workshop later in the year. u
Money
Continued from page 23
ROR? 312%, $27,690 divided by $86,479 equals a 312% return.
The bottom line is the equity in your home earns zero, nada, nothing.
Every single day, it is a dead asset. Wouldn’t that equity be better put
to use somewhere else? Should it be working as hard as you?
Want to learn more? I will be per- forming my humorous and entertain- ing one-man show “Yield Of Dreams” June 23, 24 and 25 at Holyoke Com- munity College in Holyoke, MA. Visit www.yieldofdreams.live to get tickets today and support HCC’S 75th Anni- versary. u
Charlie Epstein is known nationally as the 401kCoach, having trained more than 10,000 financial professionals how to best serve the needs of their clients and authoring two books: ‘Paychecks for Life: How to Turn Your 401k Into a Paycheck Manufacturing Company’ and ‘Save America, Save! The Secrets of a Successful Retirement Plan.’
Legacy
Continued from page 22
think about you?
• What do you know about your
family history?
• What special things or memories
do you have from your mom or dad? • What was your favorite job?
What are some of your most mem- orable stories? Think about when you were...
• Falling in love
• Raising your children
• Visiting or living in interesting
places
• Growing up
• Going through moments of joy/
sadness/struggle/success
• Taught a valuable lesson • Proudest of each child
Questions About the Future
What do you hope you’ll be able to do or see that you haven’t yet done or seen? What would you like to do or see again?
What are you most proud of about
your family?
• What steps can you take as a fam- ily to do more of that?
If you woke up at 2 a.m., what might keep you awake these days?
What is most important to you about where you live?
• If you wanted or had to move from your house, what should others con- sider when looking at options?
What plans do you have in place for your medical care if something were to happen?
• Do you have a durable power of attorney in place?
• Does it clearly state what your wishes are?
Are you happy with your will?
•Isituptodate,signed,andina safe place?
• Do you have any advice for family members who may be creating a will?
Is there anything others can do to help you? Or is there anything others should start helping with so they can
learn more about it?
Final Thoughts
This valuable record never has to be ‘closed.’ You can always share more about the life you have led, the les- sons you’ve learned, and your plans for the future. The key is that you record what’s most important to you. As those who have completed the process have found, creating this gift for future gen- erations is well worth the effort. u
Joe Malmborg is president of the Malmborg Wealth Consulting Group in West Springfield; (413) 297-6074. This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer. Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/ SIPC, a registered investment adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through Malmborg Wealth Consulting Group or CES Insurance Agency.
48 JUNE 13, 2022
CONTINUED
BusinessWest