Emma Daly, a sixth grade student at Norton Middle School, is a champion in every sense of the word.  “She is committed to excellence in everything she does and yet expects no accolades to follow. For that reason alone, I admire her personal dedication to making the world a better place,” said advisor to NMS’s Community Service Club and sixth grade English teacher Kendra Hart, who nominated Emma as a Norton Patch Whiz Kid of the Week.  Emma was one of three NMS students to be presented with the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum’s Make A Difference Award. According to the museum's…

Leo Catinella and Ahnya Dague, students at Norton Middle School, were honored at the 12th annual Middle Level Scholar Leader Awards Banquet, held at the DCU Center in Worcester May 25. This is the first year that Norton has participated in the leadership program, but Principal Michael O’Rourke hopes it won’t be the last.  “Hopefully it’s a tradition we can carry on,” he said.  Each student was presented an award recognizing his or her achievements. The criteria for being chosen to receive the Middle Level Scholar Leader Award include demonstrating academic initiative and scholarship, …

Before her elementary school career is over, third grader Victoria Weeman might have enough experience to become a principal. Victoria, 8, bid in a silent auction at the LGN Winter Carnival last month to become principal at L. G. Nourse Elementary School for the day. This is the second time she has won. On Friday, April 8, Victoria got to cash in on her prize. Her duties included lunch duty, photocopying items, bus duty, organizing grocery bags for an Earth Day project, and, of course, giving her class extra recess time. “I think it’s fun. I’d definitely do it again,” said Victoria, who is in…

Horace Mann Insurance donated four bikes to L. G. Nourse Elementary School, which were awarded last Friday to a kindergarten student, a first grader, a second grader, and a third grader who excelled in Read to Succeed, a recent reading incentive program.   Winners were Hailey W. in Katrina Hanewich’s kindergarten class, Stefanie D. in Nancy Grant’s first grade class, Jared C. in Judy Jensen-LaConte’s second grade class and Cassandra S. in Theresa Gallagher’s third grade class. Read to Succeed was a reading incentive program to inspire kids to engage in recreational reading. It was created by …

Ever since she was 1 years old, playing her toy piano, Alaisha Kadish-Ferriter, of Norton has had an interest in the musical arts. Now 10, Alaisha is a fourth grade student at Jefferson Elementary School in Franklin, and a piano student at Wheaton College.  In addition to gaining support from family and friends, Alaisha’s love for music has been embraced by her music teacher, James Barrett. At the end of class, he chooses one student’s name and allows him or her to play any of the instruments for a couple of minutes. “He loves music and really helps children to love it too,” Alaisha said. “He…