Local Council of Scouting America honors Velis, other local leaders

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HOLYOKE — The Western Massachusetts Council of Scouting America hosted its annual Distinguished Citizen Dinner on June 4 at the Log Cabin as a pioneering astronaut, a decorated state senator, a university president and a leading attorney were all highlighted for their career work.
State Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) was the main honoree of the night as he was named recipient of the Sherrif Michael J. Ashe Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award for his steadfast commitment to public service, veterans' issues and youth empowerment across the region.
'Never underestimate your ability to have a difference, to make an impact on a fellow human being. You can make a difference on a daily basis. A lot of people don't think they can so they don't, but you can make a difference,' Velis said. 'Be mindful of how you treat people when you are on the way up, because that is how they are going to treat you on the way down.'
For over a century, scouting has helped young people become responsible citizens and leaders through service, kindness and a commitment to helping others. In today's fast-paced, digital world, these values remain as important as ever as a reminder of the power of community, character and face-to-face connection.
'Throughout his public service career, Sen. John Velis has consistently exemplified these values and the principle of servant leadership, which is a cornerstone of the scouting program,' said John Willemain, president and board chairman of the Western Mass. Council of Scouting America. 'As a veteran, legislator and dedicated advocate for the well-being of all residents in Western Mass., Sen. Velis has worked tirelessly to promote mental health services, support veterans and military families, and strengthen our communities through thoughtful and compassionate leadership. We are honored to present Sen. John Velis with the Distinguished Citizen of the Year Award.'
Speaking prior to Velis accepting his honor was special guest Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi who shared what Velis means to him as a friend and leader among the community.
'We thank Sen. John Velis for his steadfast support of the Hampden County Sherriff's Office in our mission to serve and protect and rehabilitate,' said Cocchi. 'Sen. Velis has been a tireless advocate for our world, particularly in the areas of mental health, substance use recovery and reentry support.'
Also honored during the night through two new awards to the ceremony were Frank Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Law and Westfield State University President Dr. Linda Thompson. Willemain said both honorees reflect the same core values they strive to instill in every scout.
Fitzgerald was honored with the Distinguished Citizen in Business Award for his integrity, civic engagement and leadership in the legal community. As founder of Fitzgerald Law, PC, 30 years ago Fitzgerald's practice focuses on corporate law, finance, business succession planning, banking law, and mergers and acquisitions.
'As I thought about my remarks tonight, I thought how does this happen. Upon reflection, clearly it does not happen without the foundation of support from the people in your life,' Fitzgerald said. 'With the scouts here tonight, know that your actions matter. Your service projects, your community involvement, the example you set, it all matters. You're not just leaders of tomorrow, you are the leaders of today. Keep leaning into your values, keep standing up for what's right and keep serving even when no one is watching.'
Fitzgerald has also been active through several local and national charitable organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Aspergers Association, Down Syndrome Foundation and the American Cancer Society.
Thompson was presented the Distinguished Citizen in Education honor in recognition of her commitment to educational excellence and student success. Thompson is the 21st president of Westfield State University and was the dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Boston prior to her current role.
Thompson also had leadership positions in public policy. In Baltimore City, Maryland, she served as director of occupational medicine and safety and developed programs and policies to promote the health of the city workforce, including the implementation of policies for HIV prevention and substance use and abuse.
'Running a university requires the input of many voices. It takes meaningful collaboration, teamwork and a selfless sense of pride to make all systems smoothly work. I share this award in recognition with the individuals who I work with every day. Our faculty, our staff, our librarians and of course every student on our campus,' Thompson said. 'One of the tenants and values of scouting is the focus on honest, fair, dependable and compassionate leadership. At Westfield State University, we share those values and like scouting, we do our best to guide our students to realize leadership skills and make improvements within their community. Like scouting, we believe leadership skills are critical to the advancement of our neighborhoods, businesses, government, healthcare and our families, just to name a few.'
Delivering the keynote address for the event was Catherine 'Cady' Coleman, a retired NASA astronaut, scientist and U.S. Air Force colonel who spoke about her lifetime achievements and reflected briefly on when she was young and in scouting. While speaking she had a slideshow presentation playing simultaneously showing images and videos of her time spent in space.
Coleman has more than 180 days spent in space, accumulated during two space shuttle missions and a six-month expedition to the International Space Station as the lead robotics and lead science officer. Coleman had a simple message for the scouts and families in the room: dream big.
'Troops have to find a way to work together, and I think what keeps us together is the mission. The mission that you're a part of. What you're all about — I've heard the scouting pledge. You're about helping each other learn how to be those people,' Coleman said. 'Even when you're trying to focus on the mission, you still really have to connect with each other to do that.'
Coleman now is a popular public speaker and media consultant while also serving as a research affiliate to MIT's Media Lab. Her book, 'Sharing Space: An Astronaut's Guide to Mission, Wonder and Making Change,' focuses on her NASA experiences and the insights she gained as an astronaut and is available in book stores and online.
'This year's event celebrates bold leadership — from the halls of government and academia to the edges of space,' said Craig Sims, scout executive of the Western Massachusetts Council. 'We are especially proud to welcome Cady Coleman, whose extraordinary life and career reflect the courage, curiosity and commitment we strive to instill in every scout.'
Proceeds from the night will support scouting programs throughout Western Mass., providing youth with hands-on opportunities to build character, leadership and a lifelong dedication to service.
The Western Massachusetts Council serves youth in the region through scouting programs that foster leadership, citizenship and outdoor adventure. The council is committed to preparing youth for life through character-building experiences and community engagement.
Read the original article on MassLive.