The Plymouth For All Committee, a committee of the Town of Plymouth, presented its ninth annual Outstanding Citizenship Award to three Plymouth High School students at the July 7th Select Board Meeting. The purpose of this award is to recognize a student who has shown a commitment to social justice by challenging discrimination or bigotry through his/her actions, and/or who actively works to celebrate diversity and inclusivity or to protect the civil rights of all people in our community. A financial gift is included in the award.
The first recipient of the 2026 Plymouth For All Outstanding Citizenship Award is Molly St. Gelais, a 2026 graduate of Plymouth North. She was nominated for the Award by Michelle Lewison, her Interact Club advisor. Ms. Lewison states “over the past four years, I have had the privilege of witnessing Molly’s leadership, compassion, and tireless dedication to improving the lives of those around her. As president of the Plymouth North Interact Club for the past two years, she has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving her community. Her leadership is defined not only by initiative, but by a genuine belief that every individual deserves dignity, care, and opportunity. One of Molly’s most meaningful contributions has been her role in establishing and maintaining a Food Pantry at our school. Recognizing that some students face food insecurity due to financial hardship or challenges due to immigration status, she worked with others to create a space where students could access essential resources discreetly and respectfully.
Molly’s leadership has also been instrumental in the organization and implementation of Plymouth North’s annual Be the Light benefit shows. She has contacted local businesses to secure donations and sponsorships, recruited performers, and maintained communications with the non-profits selected as beneficiaries. Over the past four years, these events have raised just under $25,000 for a range of causes including organizations that support pediatric cancer patients and their families, and local veterans.
Molly helped to organize a community fall clean-up event focused on assisting senior citizens who do not have family support or financial means to manage seasonal property maintenance. This effort brought together students and community members to provide practical help while fostering meaningful intergenerational connections.” Final comments from her advisor… “What distinguishes Molly most is her instinct to recognize injustice or need and to respond with thoughtful, purposeful action. She consistently demonstrates the belief that every person deserves care, respect, and opportunity, and she actively works to address inequities when she encounters them. Rather than waiting for change to happen, Molly helps to create it.”
The second recipient is Zachary Hogge, a 2026 graduate of Plymouth South. He was nominated for this Award by his Principal, Patricia Fry, his Guidance Counselor, Kristen Buchanan, and his Psychology teacher and Senior Class Advisor, Allison Shaver. They state that if you were to ask anyone Zach has crossed paths with to explain him in a few words, you would consistently hear things such as “admired,” “inclusive to everyone,” “helper,” “positive,” and “leader.”
They go on to say that Zach is a perfect example of someone who actively works to celebrate diversity and welcome all. He has been a Student Ambassador for two years, working with students from China who come to Plymouth for a month each year. He goes above and beyond to help them feel welcomed and makes sure they are always included in the life of a high school student. Zach not only connects with the student he is paired with, but with all of the students from China…going to the house they rented for dinner, taking them bowling and shopping, and over all just helping them to fully experience American life. His willingness to be a friend to anyone is admired.
They provide another example of this, involving one of his Track teammates who practices a religion with which some are not familiar. On numerous occasions, Zach heard other teammates talking about this individual and his family, giving false information about what happens in and out of their home. Zach quietly stood up for his peer, educating the others about their misbeliefs and stereotypes. It has taken time, but recently a large group went over to the teammate’s home for a team dinner. Zach has done this all out of kindness, showing that we may all have biases that we do not realize, and that it is important to be open and learn more, and “not judge a book by it cover” or believe everything you see on TV or social media.
Last, but not least, Zach has been a Student Representative on the Plymouth for All Committee for the past two years, helping out with our events, bringing a different perspective to our meetings, and keeping us apprised of bias incidents and other issues in the schools.
The third recipient is Rebecca Jankowski, a 2026 graduate of the Rising Tide Charter Public School. She was nominated for the Award by Dr. Joseph Fisher, her Counselor and teacher. He tells us that “Rebecca is a significant leader in the Rising Tide community who has demonstrated a deep commitment to serving others through both her words and deeds. Her kindness and charisma make her the rare student that everyone likes and roots for.
Rebecca’s commitment to community service is most evident in her role as Chapter President of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls. Through this role she leads a group of peers in planning and delivering service projects for at-need populations. For example, each month Rebecca’s chapter collects non-perishable goods like canned foods and toiletries, turns them into functional care packages, and then donates them to organizations that serve houseless veterans across the South Shore. She also coordinates her chapter’s Community Service Days at Gifts to Give, helping to organize and distribute good like clothes, toys, and games to low-income children and families.
At Rising Tide, Rebecca was Class Representative and Secretary of Student Government. In these roles, she helped lead schoolwide community service projects. Working with Savers, for example, she supported a successful donation drive to provide clothing to immigrants and refugees through the New American Association of Massachusetts. Rebecca’s service takes a more personalized form in her work with the Inclusive Events Club, a student organization dedicated to creating safe, welcoming spaces for young people with intellectual disabilities. As a Founding Member and Treasurer of Inclusive Events, Rebecca has been a mover and shaker, making weekend events with Riverview School both possible and successful. The same can be said for her work with the Rotary Club, where she helped introduce the Yellow Tulip Project as a means to raise mental health awareness.” Dr. Fisher concludes, “her cheerfulness and selflessness are magnetic, and I cannot wait to see the impact she makes on her future communities.”
The Award recipients were also presented with Citations from the offices of State Representatives Michelle Badger and Kathy LaNatra and State Senator Dylan Fernandes.
If you wish to help Plymouth For All to fund future Outstanding Citizenship Awards, you may send a check to Town of Plymouth, Attn. Treasurer, 26 Court Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. Please make your check payable to the Town of Plymouth and mention the Award in the memo section. The Awards are funded solely through private donations.
For more information about the Plymouth For All Committee, see its website Plymouth for All Committee, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram @Plymouthforall
– Jon Plate, Plymouth For All Committee