The Heather Hill Country Club was brimming with excitement as the North Attleborough/Plainville Rotary Club celebrated its 37th Distinguished Awards Ceremony.
Five residents from both towns received awards for their service and the contributions they have made to their community. The categories for each nominee were the Most Outstanding Citizen, Senior, Educator, Public Employee, and Youth.
Dr. John W. Barone, the chair of the Rotary Club, said there was an audience of 118 in attendance for the March 20 ceremony. He said the nominees went above and beyond in what they do and they have inspired many people through their work,
“These people have gone above and beyond,” Barone said. “They came out of the woodwork and match the motto of the Rotary Club, service above self.”
The winner of the Outstanding Citizen Award was the director of the Falls Firebarn Museum, Nancy Campbell. She was nominated due to her knowledge of the town and 21 years with the museum and 22 years with the Historical Society. Campbell said her favorite part of her job was seeing children and adults come to the museum and ask questions about its history and legacy.
“I love seeing the little kids get excited about history as I did at an early age,” Campbell said. “One time I remember saying, do you remember Joyland and a guy in the back said, oh Joyland! It brought back memories.”
The winner of the Outstanding Senior Award was the president of the Friends of the North Attleboro Council on Aging, Sandy Mann. Her work as president and as a staff member of the Senior Center was highlighted in her nomination, how she continues her work with her teams. She thanked her teams and their service in her acceptance speech, saying it was because of them, that she would not be able to help seniors in the area.
“I have several teams at the church and the senior center,” Mann said. “I would be nothing without them.”
Rhianna Mason was selected as the Outstanding Youth Award winner. A sophomore at King Philip High School and board member of KP Cares, Mason has been involved with several service projects, including providing meals for Gilly’s House, working with a sober home for men in Wrentham, serving seniors at their holiday luncheon and coordinating holiday cards for two senior living centers. In her acceptance speech, Mason thanked the rotary club and said she will continue to help the community.
“It’s a huge honor that a lot of people don’t get to have,” Mason said. “I love spending my time helping people, especially in my community, so this is such an honor to have.”
Ellen Robertson received the Outstanding Public Employee award for her time serving as the Plainville Town Clerk. With 2023 being her last year, Robertson was honored for conducting elections in difficult situations—namely during the apex of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. She thanked her office and staff for all the work they did throughout the 14 elections she has overseen as a clerk.
“It’s not a one-person job,” Robertson said. “I’d be lost without you and I am very blessed to be Town Clerk and do the job I love.”
Patricia Tannock won the Outstanding Educator Award for her 36 years as an educator—23 of which at Martin Elementary School. Nominated by her peers, Tannock was praised for her positive and hardworking attitude as a teacher. She is often collecting or purchasing supplies or snacks for students or helps those who struggle to excel in their lessons. She thanked her family, friends, and the school administration for the award.
“You guys are the reason I am up here,” Tannock said. “You get me through this and make this so wonderful.”
