Tri-County Student Receives Hero Award

Norfolk resident Hollyann Edwards, daughter of Wayne and Karen Edwards, is one of 11 students from Massachusetts and Connecticut to be named a recipient of the 2016 Young Hero Award by The Children’s Smile Coalition.
Hollyann joined her peers in receiving the award during the Fourth Annual Young Heroes Night, held on September 24 at the Hanover Theatre in Worcester.
The Young Hero Award is awarded annually to children who have made exceptional contributions to their community through volunteer work and by helping those in need.
As a senior in Tri-County Regional’s Medical Careers Program, Hollyann actively seeks out ways to help her peers make healthy choices. She is a four-year member of the Students Against Destructive Decisions club, serving as president for the past two. As part of S.A.D.D., Hollyann participates in the HERO Walk each year, which raises awareness about the dangers of drunk driving. She is also a member of the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance club and National Honor Society.
In the spring, Hollyann joined two of her classmates in championing a school-wide effort to inform students about the signs and symptoms of depression and healthy strategies for coping with stress. Their multi-faceted campaign included a school-wide poster contest to promote acceptance and diversity, as well as an informational table at lunch.
Her lengthy resume includes internships at the Natick Community Center, Franklin Senior Center, and Building Blocks Academy. She also volunteers with her Girl Scout Troop, as well as on the surgical floor of the Metrowest Medical Center and at the Natick Council on Aging.
An alumna of the Youth Musical Theatre program at the Hockomock YMCA, Hollyann now volunteers with the program, teaching music and choreography to children in grades three through eight.
The Children’s Smile Coalition, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, serves children living in poverty through the collection and distribution of essential items, such as clothing and toiletries. The Young Heroes Night enables the coalition to celebrate youths who share their commitment to helping others. To learn more about the Children’s Smile Coalition, visit smilesonkids.org.