Senior Day Kolz Nominated for Walter J. Markham Award; Early Education Major Dedicated to Fostering Inclusion
Day Kolz, an Early Education and Teaching senior from Wayland, has been chosen as Minuteman High School’s (https://minuteman.org/) nominee for the 2021 Walter J. Markham Award, an annual statewide recognition of an outstanding student from a vocational-technical high school.
The award, which is named after a longtime Massachusetts vocational education state official, honors students who demonstrate leadership in student or school activities, excellence in their technical area of study, and excellence in academic achievement. The winner will be announced in the coming weeks, and is chosen by representatives from the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA) and the Massachusetts Vocational Association (MVA).
Minuteman Career Technical Education Director Kathleen Bouchard described Kolz in the award application as “a kind, intelligent, young adult of solid character” whose “willingness to serve and assist others has helped create a positive school climate among our students.”
During Kolz’ four years in high school, Kolz has served as an ambassador for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Initiative, a peer leader for the LGBTQ+ youth organization Out MetroWest, and a member of Minuteman’s National Honors Society and Gay Straight Alliance Plus (GSA+) Club. In addition, in 11th grade, Kolz served as a Peer Leader at Minuteman to help freshmen students transition to high school.
Through Minuteman’s Cooperative Education (Co-op) program, Kolz works at Minuteman’s Facilitated Learning Program, where the children of faculty and staff who are in remote schooling due to the pandemic receive support with schoolwork. Students in Co-op receive course credit and hours toward industry credentials.
“I’ve worked really hard during my years at Minuteman, and I’m so grateful to be recognized for that in my nomination for the Walter J. Markham Award,” Kolz said. “Minuteman has given me so many opportunities to grow my skills. I look forward to continuing my hard work in both my leadership, career, and educational endeavors.”
Kolz also moderates Love to LGBTQ, a support blog for LGBTQ+ youth. She plans to attend Boston College in the fall to study education.
(Submitted by Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School on March 2, 2021)
