Johanna Vergoni was a student at Sippican Elementary School in the late 1980s, which were formative times for the school, its community-based support systems and students who many years later would become key volunteers.
“I can remember VASE … and I can remember MOP, Marion Occupational Program, where we had members from the community come in and talk to our fifth and sixth graders about their jobs. I remember that when I was a kid,” said Vergoni, her emphasis on the lasting impact of those memories and lessons. “To think that we still have that tradition today, I think that really speaks to the community that we have and the individuals that we have serving and volunteering. That’s what I love about our town and our community, that we have these traditions and they continue 50 years later.”
Vergoni’s eventual efforts to continue these traditions impressed multiple peers in a success nomination of her as recipient of the 2024 Keel Award for the Town of Marion.
An acronym for Volunteers at Sippican Elementary (School), 50-year-old VASE is a volunteer-run, citizen’s organization that raises funds and garners supplies that enrich student life for Grades 1-6 in Marion.
If there is a field trip, it’s a good bet that VASE was not only instrumental but essential in the fund-raising and organizational efforts that made it possible.
“Johanna’s passion, dedication and energy are unmatched,” said Gina Hermenegildo. “Her sacrifices and efforts are done selflessly, without any need for acknowledgement. Because of this, as a parent, friend and community member, I respectfully recommend Johanna’s formal acknowledgement as a community leader.”
A stay-at-home mother, Vergoni joined VASE when her 14-year-old daughter was in kindergarten.
“The 2019-20 school year is when I really got involved,” said Vergoni, who began as a member at large and learned from April Nye and Christina Bonney, who were serving as president and vice president at the time. “They kind of brought me in and showed me the ropes. Really, I learned from those two, and Barbara Moody was a part of the board at that time.”
A little involvement begets greater involvement.
“Yeah, and that’s really how it works. That’s how it worked with me. You know, I would help, volunteer here and there, and then April said, ‘You know, you seem to enjoy this. If you like this, what do you think about being a member at large?’”
Anyone can volunteer to participate in VASE’s after-school programs. Volunteers need not be parent to be involved. Since childhood, Vergoni’s favorite VASE event has been its holiday shop, something a student can engage and at the same time become more financially literate.
“Now we have the high school come in, Old Rochester ambassadors, come into Sippican. They help the kids shop, they set out a budget,” she explained. “They work with the kids to say, ‘okay, this is how much money you have.’ Again, it’s not just any one person, it really is a team and a community. Everyone plays a role, and that saying, ‘it takes a village,’ it really does, and this is our village. … We offer outside of the classroom.”
Vergoni became VASE president before the 2022-23 school year. Moody was her first vice president, and Hermenegildo serves in that role now.
“She is by far the most organized individual I know. Then, once the activity is set up, Johanna is there, in the trenches, assisting in the event,” said Moody, citing examples, including free field trips for all Sippican Elementary students, schoolwide activities adding culture and experiences to student life, events such as a holiday shop, field days and After School Enrichment (ACE). “The Booster-thon Fun Run generates a majority of needed funds for the year, and it is Johanna who leads those on the VASE committee to accomplish this endeavor.
“From open houses to sixth-grade, yearlong activities to playground supplies, it is Johanna who sees the need and assists in large part to organizing it. Her countless hours are to be commended. She does so without fanfare nor seeking out recognition.”
Next year, Vergoni will miss VASE, and VASE will miss her. That’s how it goes with the committed, they make lifelong friends through their volunteerism. The more they put into the cause, the more it hurts to say goodbye.
“This will be it because my son is a sixth-grader, so he’s going to be moving on next year to the junior high, and then I’ll be done,” said Vergoni with more than a hint of sadness. “I may go back to work, but I think that I’ll probably still be around, helping out here and there.”
Marion Keel Award: Johanna Vergoni
By Mick Colageo
Editor’s note: The Keel awards are presented in today’s issue of The Wanderer, each of the tri-towns’ recipients being recognized as a guiding force in the community. Like the keel of a ship that keeps the vessel from capsizing, the recipients of the Annual Wanderer Keel Award will be recognized for their stalwart efforts in keeping the community on an “even keel.”