by Cathy Slade

This year’s Gerard Dewan Scholarship for incoming eighth-graders at Sacred Heart School was awarded to two students, Cassandra Curran and Marcaine Simon. The generous scholarship, which covers the cost of full tuition, is being shared by the two due to the tremendous amount of service to the community that they have performed over the years.

Both students are active members of the Rossie Reps Youth Council. Through participation in all types of neighborhood activities, this peer leadership program for middle-school youth instills civic pride and a love of community service. It provides ample opportunities for youth to give back to their local neighborhoods. Rossie Reps participate in neighborhood clean-ups; conduct children’s activities at National Night Out and at all other promotional activities of Roslindale Village Main Street; and participate in outreach and educational programs run by its parent group, the Healthy Roslindale Coalition.

In addition to their community-service activities as Rossie Reps, both students actively serve their churches and various other groups. Cassandra Curran has been an altar server in the parish for four years. She can be seen at Sacred Heart School helping with Home and School activities and babysitting while parents attend school functions and meetings. This past year she was an office assistant to Pat Girvan in the Confirmation Program, and she tutored third-graders once a week after school. She is always willing to lend a helping hand, and has recently added being a “buddy” in the Jason Roberts Challenger League to her list of civic achievements.

Marcaine Simon is heavily involved in religious activities at the Roslindale Baptist Church. She is a member of the Youth Choir and sings at events for senior citizens in the community. She watches young children during religious services and assists adults at special events. Before she was of age to join the Rossie Reps, she participated in the Neighbors Together biannual clean-ups as a member of Casserly House, a community outreach program located on Stellman Road and sponsored by the Sisters of St. Joseph.

The Dewan Scholarship keeps alive the memory of fallen New York City firefighter Gerard Dewan, who lost his life saving others in the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. He grew up on Wellsmere Road and was a graduate of Sacred Heart School.

Warmest congratulations to Cassandra and Marcaine for receiving their awards, but most importantly for continuing the fine legacy of service to others demonstrated by the courageous and caring Gerard Dewan.

This year’s fund-raiser for the scholarship will be a Dinner-Dance Gala to be held on Saturday, Sepember 17, at Moseley’s on the Charles in Dedham. The evening will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will include a buffet dinner and dancing, with entertainment provided by the band, Freestyle. Reservations are $75 per person. Make checks payable to “Gerard P. Dewan Memorial Fund,” 18 Keith Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132. For more information check their new website: www.DewanMemorialFund.org.