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The First Annual SINA REACH Awards Recognizes Special City Residents

July 3-11, 2007
By The Hartford News Staff

One comes from a troubled family, another had to overcome the shortcomings of a mother in jail, and another overcame a personal setback. All decided that they wanted to help others and to do so they would have to sacrifice and excel in an environment that would make their accomplishments that much more meaningful. These three Bulkeley High School students are among a group of students and adults who recently received awards for their exceptional achievements and community efforts.

The accolades were presented at the First Annual SINA REACH Awards event held at Hartford Hospital to honor individuals committed to community service and academic excellence. Awardees included Danielle Cargill, Rashadda Gregory, and Deaci Ann Wallen, the three Bulkeley High School seniors who received the Ivan A. Backer Scholarship. Also receiving awards were 34 Scholar of The Month recipients from Hartford, Weaver, Sport and Medical Sciences Academy, Bulkeley, and Prince Tech high schools for their academic achievements.

REACH, which stands for Recognition, Educational Achievement and Community Health, is sponsored by SINA and its member institutions. The mission is to develop, support and recognize individuals who positively contribute to the growth of the Hartford Community. In that spirit REACH also recognized people in the Community and at SINA Institutions who, as community servants, go beyond the call of duty. This year’s Neighborhood Service Award winners include Father Charles Jacobs of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Walter Kienia, an Aetna Center for Families English as a second language volunteer teacher, John Nelson a volunteer at the Institute for the Hispanic Family, and Luis Valentin a Patient Representative at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.

Finally, SINA’s Executive Director’s Award went to Bob Sampl, a REACH Committee Member, for his long-term role with the community and his efforts in supporting the mission of SINA REACH. SINA’s member institutions include the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford Hospital, and Trinity College. Together with its members the SINA REACH Awards sets out to identify these special people, place their stories in the forefront of our consciousness, and provide inspiration to other wood-be champions.