Petit Family Foundation | Community Service Scholarship

In 2008, classmates (Plainville High School Class of 1974) of Dr. Bill Petit decided to begin a Community Service Program at Plainville High School. The Class of 1974 had been active since their graduation and had supported academic awards to seniors attending a four year college or university or two year technical school. The Class decided to join with the PETIT FAMILY FOUNDATION and create a program that would formally recognize and encourage community service because of the activism of the Petit women: JENNIFER in the Methodist church, the local food bank, Heifer International, and diabetes organizations among others; HAYLEY with the CT Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society; MICHAELA with organizations to help animals. MICHAELA had also posted Mohandas Gandhi’s quotation,

“We must be the change we want to see in the world” on her home page.

In 2009 the PETIT WOMEN BE THE CHANGE COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDS were begun at Cheshire High School as well. There, as in Plainville, there are first and second place for individuals and a team prize. Each winner receives an award and a grant to a 501(c)(3) charity is made by the Petit Family Foundation in the student’s names.

A Community Service day was started with speakers including students, administrators, and members of the Class of 1974. Then, in the spring of 2008, the first Plainville High School Class of ‘74 and Petit Family Foundation Petit Women “Be The Change” Community Service Awards were given. The awards were designed to be given to two individuals, first and second place, as well as to one team. In addition each winner was able to select a 501(c) (3) charity to which the PETIT FAMILY FOUNDATION would donate in the student’s name.

Petit Women Be The Change Community Service Awards

2012
Plainville HS - 1st Place Allesandra Caponigro $1000, Charity – Unfied Sports $500; Honorable Mention Samantha Bradley $100, Charity – CCMC $500; Team Award Winners Katherine Willard, Nicholas Giuliani, Charity – SOLES4SOULS $500
Cheshire HS - 1st Place Jill Durso $1000, Charity – American Cancer Society $500; Team Award Winners Brendan Smalec and Anna Frenzilli, Charity – Cheshire Communtiy Food Pantry Inc. $500

2011
Plainville HS - Alma Pietri, Lauren Davis, Emma Carpenter, Justin Misluck
Cheshire HS - Allie Centorino, Asahi Hoque

2010
Plainville HS - Paige Casey, Laurel Underwood, Brianna Francheschini, Rebecka Mousch, Samantha Dow, Jennifer Farina, Nicholas Daddabbo; Event Program, Comments, 2009 Service Fair Program
Cheshire HS - Ceara Rosemary Larkin, Christine Bannan, Jamie Erickson, Team ENOUGH—Mansoor Alam and Shayna Zanker; Comments, Event Program, Photos

2009
Plainville HS - Whitley Dozier, Kristen Carrocchia, Amanda Lea, Steven Boutin; Comments, Event Program
Cheshire HS - Julia Krasnow, Cheshire Softball Team—Emily Amento and Linda Amarante; Comments

2008
Plainville HS - Ryan Pelletier , Annalicia Huey, Team CANstruction and Mr. Esposti’s Bike Rehabilitation team; Comments, Event Program, thank you note, 2007 Service Fair Program