The Elks of Wareham/New Bedford Lodge No. 1548 sponsors the Elks Student of the Month and Student of the Year Awards for students enrolled in local area high schools. The criteria used in nominating a student includes a student who excels in scholarship, citizenship, performing arts, fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school and community service, industry and farming.
The Elks congratulate junior Annouk Joseph of Mattapoisett for being selected as Student of the Month for October by the Old Rochester Regional High School Faculty and Staff. In just ten short months since her brother’s death, Annouk has managed to turn tragedy into inspiration, and single-handedly organized the whole school assembly on overdose awareness with break-out sessions for students who wanted to connect and talk more about their own personal connections. The session was attended by over forty students, and Annouk led the discussion about what they as students and we as a school can do to help. She has already organized a donation drive that will run in November and December to provide those new to recovery with the clothes and necessities necessary to get a clean start, and is in talks with the adult services director of PAACA (Positive Action Against Chemical Addiction) about setting up a weekly support club for students who have been impacted by addiction or who would just like to do more to help. This club is set to start in the New Year. Annouk is an all-around good kid, and has been working hard to make our community better.