Westfield-West Springfield Elks #1481 scholarship winners are named. Pictured, from left, Exalted Ruler Gary Fontaine, Brandon Cekovsky, Annabeth Lemberg, Nola Lane Borsari, Asher Rose, Julia Kubik, Timothy Rua, state Rep. Kelly Pease and Patricia O’Connor.
Reminder Publishing submitted photos
WESTFIELD — The Westfield-West Springfield Elks Lodge 1481 observed the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Youth Week with a recognition of accomplishments by area youth at its lodge at 56 Franklin St. on May 6.
“The youth of our country has always been important in the purposes of The BPOE. Our youth activities programs are designed to aid in the character development of young people, to recognize their many contributions to the functioning of our society, and to encourage them in maturing into tomorrow’s citizens and leaders,” said Patricia O’Connor, youth activities chair.
Recognized at the event were 19 students from the Greater Westfield area incorporating Westfield, West Springfield, Agawam and Southwick. Honored were nine Elks Americanism Essay winners, one of whom was named a winner of the state level competition and is moving forward to the national level. Also recognized were six Students of the Year, graduating seniors from each of the high schools, one Most Valuable Student, winner of a highly competitive national-level scholarship program and two Eagle Scouts.
Patricia O’Connor, youth activities chair and Most Valuable Student winner Maddie Balzano from Agawam High School. Reminder Publishing submitted photos 
Elks National Americanism Essay winners, back row from left, Patricia O’Connor, Emmalynn Bishop, Karyna Sholopa, Sophia Fields. Front row from left: Nancy D’Ambrosio, Ava Cooney, Claire Camberis, Daphne Bouyea and Teagan Wapner. Not pictured is Yvette Whitley. Reminder Publishing submitted photos 
Past Exalted Ruler Milt Vazquez and Eagle Scout Ben Stoltzfus. Reminder Publishing submitted photos 
Past Exalted Ruler Milt Vazquez and Eagle Scout Liam Blais. Reminder Publishing submitted photos 
Past Exalted Ruler Milt Vazquez presented a certificate of appreciation to Andrew Caldeira for volunteerism in service to the lodge. Reminder Publishing submitted photos
The Elks National Americanism Essay contest encourages young people to thoughtfully consider American values and appreciate the benefits and responsibilities of citizenship. The contest gives students in grades 5-8 an opportunity to express their views on a selected theme. This year’s theme was, “What does service to your country mean to you?”
O’Connor said nine Americanism Essay winners were recognized by the Elks Lodge 1481 out of 138 entries from seven area schools. The lodge’s top three for each grade were forwarded to the district level and the state level. The national winners will be named in July.
Winners for grade 5 were all from Tatham Elementary School in West Springfield. First place went to Teagan Wapner, second place went to Claire Camberis and third place went to Daphne Bouyea.
After moving on to the state level, Wapner took third place for grade 5 and went on to the national level judging. Teagan will share her essay at the Elks Lodge 1481 Flag Day ceremony on June 10.
Americanism Essay winners for grade 6 were all from Roberta G. Doering School in Agawam. First place went to Nancy D’Ambrosio, second place went to Yvette Whitley and third place went to Ava Cooney. Grade 8 winners were all from Agawam Junior High School. First place went to Sophia Fields, second place went to Emmalynn Bishop and third place went to Karyna Sholopa.
Elks Lodge 1481 Student of the Year is a lodge-run program. One graduating senior from each high school is chosen based on the qualities of leadership, citizenship and community service, as those traits closely mirror the Elks principles of charity, justice, brotherly love, and fidelity, O’Connor said. In addition to the lodge’s award, each received citations from Mayor Michael McCabe, state Sen. John Velis’s office and state Rep. Kelly Pease.
The recipients are Brandon Cekovsky of Westfield High School, Julia Kubik of Westfield Technical Academy, Annabeth Lemberg of St. Mary’s High School, Nola Lane Borsari of West Springfield High School, Asher Rose of Southwick Regional and Timothy Rua of Agawam High School.
The Most Valuable Student Scholarship is the most prestigious award for educational assistance given by the Elks National Foundation. Five hundred students went through a lengthy, arduous journey on the path to this distinction. Maddie Balzano, from Agawam High School, was named a 2026 Most Valuable Student and will receive a $4,000 scholarship.
“Maddie is an optimistic, empathetic, driven and energetic leader. She is quite the inspiration and leader and is exactly the kind of person who will attract followers and institute true change in the world,” O’Connor said.
Certificates and flags were presented to Eagle Scouts Benjamin Stoltzfus and Liam Blais from Westfield troop 821. Stoltzfus built and installed a trailhead kiosk for the Parsons Pine Barrens conservation area in Northampton for his Eagle Scout project. Blais repaired and repainted the student support center at Westfield Technical Academy. An Eagle Court of Honor for the two will be held at the Elks Lodge on May 23.
Andrew Caldeira, also a scout, received a Certificate of Appreciation for volunteerism in service of Elks Lodge #1481. “Andrew, a freshman in manufacturing at Westfield Technical Academy, is a frequent helper in the kitchen for our burger nights, as well as at numerous other events, particularly the veteran activities,” O’Connor said.
