TURNERS FALLS — Two students and one teacher were honored with the first annual McGraw Uplift awards, which were given to students and staff who “exemplify the spirit” of Earl McGraw, the Turners Falls assistant principal who died last fall.
Junior Javoni Williams, senior Hailey Trott and Librarian Chani Craig were this year’s recipients.
Nominations were accepted from anyone in the school community. Recipients are those known for, “treating everyone with respect and without judgment, seeing someone who is down and lifting them up with love and laughter, and going after their own goals with all of their heart, and helping others go after their goals,” according to a release by the high school.
Principal Annie Leonard said the idea came from the school’s students, who wanted to keep the memory of McGraw alive in the school. McGraw, 46, died of lung cancer in Sept. 2016.
The language of the awards is based on a posting from McGraw’s wife, Roxanne, on the Earl’s Updates Facebook page. Leonard said the school worked with her to develop the criteria. Roxanne McGraw was at the all-school meeting when the awards were presented.
Beyond the initial criteria, Williams was selected for his curiosity and open-mindedness, Trott for her optimism and work with the life skills program and special needs students and Craig was chosen for being joyful, making the library welcoming, and introducing Monday Morning Motivational Music.