NEWPORT — PJ Lovely, Newport Recreation Director, was recognized in Concord Friday as Southwest Regional 2018 Champion for Children.
The Champion for Children Award is presented by the New Hampshire School Administrators Association and recognizes community members who have given distinguished public service to benefit children.
Lovely was nominated by the Newport School District with support from Christy Whipple (NHS 1984 Classmate/Newport Montessori), Jeff Miller (Teacher/Newport Athletic Director) and Ben Gallagher (NHS 2019).
“PJ Lovely has an energy surrounding him that is almost tangible…PJ goes above and beyond to connect with every child and every family so that they feel valued, included and essential to whatever activity is at hand,” Whipple said.
“He is the unofficial “Mayor” for young children and families. He goes above and beyond to make sure that every stone gets unturned to provide the best recreational activities for every child in the community,” Miller said.
“He pushes us to be the best we can be. He encourages us to push ourselves past our limits and work our hardest; both in skills that we are learning and into everyday life. I also think that most of my friends would agree that PJ Lovely is a Champion for kids,” Gallagher related.
“I’m very humbled with the award as there are many more deserving folks who do a lot behind the scenes, whom also should be applauded and thanked. I’m proud to represent our Town – which is filled with the volunteer spirit,” Lovely said.
Lovely was joined by his sons, Ryder and Jaguar, both ninth graders at Newport High School. He was recognized along with four other Regional Champions, Sharyn Sasserson (Lakes Region), Donald Bagley (North Country Region), Raymond Wilkins (South Central Region) and Forrest Carter (Southeast Region). Wilkins was recognized as the statewide recipient of the award.
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