WEST CHESTER, PA — Thirty seniors from the West Chester Area School District (WCASD) were recognized for their exceptional commitment to service, leadership, and citizenship during the 27th Annual Spellman Humanitarian Awards held on April 2. The awards, presented by the West Chester Area Education Association (WCAEA), celebrate ten students from each of the district’s high schools—East, Henderson, and Rustin—for their outstanding contributions to their communities.
Launched in 1999, the awards honor the legacy of Dr. Elwood M. “Ossie” Spellman, a former WCASD School Board member whose community service included leadership in the Rotary Club, YMCA, and Boy Scouts. Students are selected through an application process highlighting their service initiatives, time commitments, and motivations for making a difference.
“This was my first year participating in the Spellman Awards, and I was truly amazed by the impactful work our students are doing outside the classroom,” said Scott deLone, Vice President of the WCAEA. “It is an honor to continue this meaningful West Chester tradition.”
“These remarkable students demonstrated values such as volunteerism, integrity, and responsibility,” added Kalia Reynolds, WCASD Deputy Superintendent. “We also commend their families for inspiring and nurturing these qualities.”
The recognized students engaged with local organizations including the Melton Center, WC Food Cupboard, Spring Brook Farm, and the SPCA. Others launched independent initiatives to address community needs.
Recipients of the 2025 Spellman Humanitarian Awards
East High School
- Michelle Chen
- Jada Cooper
- Nuala Coyle
- Sophia Fu
- Wesley Hiester
- Sneha Mahadevan
- Pooja Menon
- Devika Nair
- Keira O’Flynn
- Amelia Piombino
Henderson High School
- Peter Kennedy
- Madeline Miller
- Jayashri Muthukrishnan
- Elena Patarcity
- Benjamin Pentz
- Adam Pontzer
- Tara Rameshmanikandan
- Sophie Rivell
- Talia Salome
- Ruhi Trasi
Rustin High School
- Leah Ambrosine
- Victoria D’Ulisse
- Macy Fisher
- Drew Gaffney
- Elina Huang
- Diya Lakshmanan
- Henry Matonis
- Emily Miller
- Diana Munoz-Lopez
- Emma Skinner
Discover more about the Spellman Humanitarian Awards and this year’s honorees by visiting the following link: https://www.wcasd.net/families-students/spellman-humanitarian-awards.
The event, rooted in a legacy of compassion and activism, underscores the importance of community-focused leadership. With these students setting a high standard for service, the WCASD looks forward to their continued impact in the years ahead.
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