EPHS student-athletes conduct Thanksgiving drive for U.S. service members

Done this fall by Messier-led “Townie Athletes for a Change”

By Mike Rego
Posted 11/21/18

EAST PROVIDENCE — Influenced to action after attending a youth seminar this past summer, East Providence High School junior Paige Messier started a student-run organization beginning with the …

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EPHS student-athletes conduct Thanksgiving drive for U.S. service members

Done this fall by Messier-led “Townie Athletes for a Change”

Posted

EAST PROVIDENCE — Influenced to action after attending a youth seminar this past summer, East Providence High School junior Paige Messier started a student-run organization beginning with the 2018-19 term called "Townie Athletes for a Change." The civic-minded group’s first significant effort having taken place this fall and culminating in time for Thanksgiving.

“I just wanted to make an impact on the community,” Messier, a member of the EPHS girls’ volleyball team, explained. “We have a lot of potential in our athletes that doesn’t always show through and I thought it would bring some positivity to the school.”

Throughout the just-completed fall season, Townie Athletes for a Change conducted a care package drive to benefit members of the United States military. Representatives from each of the EPHS teams spearheaded the collection. They gathered materials or goods like shampoos, conditioners and other toiletries as well as non-perishable snacks such as granola bars and candy. And the students even collected things like fly swatters, anything soldiers could conceivably need or use when deployed, Messier said. The parcels will be taken to the post office and shipped to the troops currently serving in Afghanistan.

“I think it’s very important to show our appreciation for our veterans and the people out in our military,” Messier continued. “So I figured it would be perfect to do it for Thanksgiving, show how thankful we are for what they do for us.”

Messier’s motivation came after she was nominated as East Providence High School’s representative for the state-wide Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference, nicknamed “HOBY,” held in June at the University of Rhode Island’s Alton Jones Campus in West Greenwich.

According to the group’s website, HOBY “is an organization dedicated to "training and nurturing the young leaders of tomorrow." Its mission is to provide lifelong leadership development opportunities that empower youth to achieve their highest potential and gain knowledge of leadership skills.”

HOBY was founded by actor Hugh O'Brian in 1958. The program has spread to over 70 locations in all fifty U.S. states, and 19 countries and regions.

To attend seminars in the United States, a student must be chosen by their high school out of all members in its sophomore class. At the seminars, students participate in programs designed to enhance their leadership and teamwork skills. Students also meet and converse with leaders in their community in fields such as volunteerism, media, education, philanthropy and politics among other pursuits.

“We did something similar at HOBY for the homeless,” Messier said of her local effort. “We made care packages for them. It inspired me to try to do something positive in my school to make a difference.”

Subsequently, each of the EPHS fall sports teams had “leaders” for the collection, those who oversaw the donations from their respective squads. She led the girls’ volleyball effort along with teammate Emma DaSilva. Mia Jackson, Aaliyah Pattie and Lily Palumbo represented girls’ soccer. Constantino Capobianco and Evan Berger did likewise from cross country. Riley Mello and Meg Amore headed the girls’ tennis collection. Alex Roman and Jose Luis led boys’ soccer. Rico DaRosa and Clinton Ogunronbi took the lead for football. And Gianna Abatecola and Maddie Campbell led the cheerleading group.

In addition, Messier mentioned the approval and backing of EPHS principal Shani Wallace and district athletic director Gregg Amore, saying, “Mr. Amore and Ms. Wallace have been extremely supportive of this organization. This would not have been possible without their leadership and compassion towards their students.”

Buoyed by the response of her peers, especially, Messier is well on her way to meeting her initial aim of establishing Townie Athletes for a Change as a presence in the community under the auspices of fellow teens.

“I wanted to create something that was student-run, that everyone could participate in. Every single fall athlete participated, bringing in stuff from every single team. And we had leaders from every team who collected everything,” Messier added. “It’s kids-run, so that’s really cool.”

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Jim McGaw

A lifelong Portsmouth resident, Jim graduated from Portsmouth High School in 1982 and earned a journalism degree from the University of Rhode Island in 1986. He's worked two different stints at East Bay Newspapers, for a total of 18 years with the company so far. When not running all over town bringing you the news from Portsmouth, Jim listens to lots and lots and lots of music, watches obscure silent films from the '20s and usually has three books going at once. He also loves to cook crazy New Orleans dishes for his wife of 25 years, Michelle, and their two sons, Jake and Max.