Four South Windsor Residents Honored for Volunteer Work

Four South Windsor residents on Tuesday received the Eugene Policelli Service Award for volunteerism in the community.

South Windsor High senior Emma Richard received the Student Award, while Maureen E. Bourn, Howard “Hap” Fitts and Ed Havens each were honored with Citizen Awards.

The award was created by the South Windsor Board of Education in 2002 in recognition and memory of Eugene Policelli, who served on school board from 1985 to 1997.

“Gene was a tireless advocate for quality education and high standards,” school board Chairman David Joy said during the ceremony at South Windsor High on Tuesday evening. “And he believed in the power of volunteerism for both adults and students.”

Receiving the award is no small matter. Indeed, in the 11 years since its inception, the award has been given to 44 residents - 18 students and 26 adults.

To be considered for the award, student nominees must:

• be a senior at South Windsor High School,
• be a student in good academic standing,
• be a good school and community citizen, and
• have completed a minimum of 100 hours of volunteer work over the previous four years.

• be a resident of South Windsor for the past three years,
• be an example of outstanding citizenship,
• have made a significant contribution to enhance the quality of life in South Windsor, and
• have provided community service in the town of South Windsor over a period of three years.

• Emma Richard - A South Windsor High senior who received the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Award for her efforts to make the community a better place, Richard represented South Windsor on U.S. Rep. John Larson’s Congressional Youth Cabinet. She has also worked extensively at her school to combat bullying, including serving on the South Windsor High’s Climate Committee for four years. She will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.

• Maureen Bourn - A retired teacher who founded, and continues, the institution of the day-long 3rd-grade field trip during which the students learn about the Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse and a walking tour of Old Main Street. Bourn also works extensively with the Wood Memorial Library and the South Windsor Historical Society to help residents learn more about South Windsor history. “She has been an active member of the library’s Program Committee and is a trained docent who can often be seen giving tours of the library or the Pleasant Valley Schoolhouse while wearing a handmade, period costume,” Joy said.

• Howard “Hap” Fitts - Fitts served the community on various boards and commissions for 48 years, including four as the town’s mayor. For the last 38 years, Fitts has served on the public building commission, which is involved in the planning and construction of the town’s buildings. “Some of the PBC projects that Mr. Fitts has worked on are the firehouse on Sullivan Avenue, the fire department headquarters on Ellington Road, the expansion of our library, the construction of the community center, and renovations of the high school and middle school,” Joy said. “Hap, I hope you’ll be adding the renovation of our elementary schools to your resume in the not-too-distant future.”

• Ed Havens - Has served on the Town Council for 17 terms - 34 years, including four as mayor. He also served on the Economic Development Commission and the Planning and Zoning Commission. Havens sponsors a Little League baseball team every year, and he funds the town’s annual Easter Egg Hunt. “Over the years, thousands of children, including all of mine and probably all of yours, have benefitted from these contributions,” said Joy, who used three words to describe Havens’ years of service: honesty, grace and professionalism.