Throwing some shade - New awning covers AHS outdoor pavilion | Local News | newburyportnews.com

Oct 15, 2024

AMESBURY — Students, staff and members of the community looking to get outside and have a nice place to hang out rain or shine now have that option thanks to a new awning covering Amesbury High School’s “Caring Starts Today center.”

“Our main focus was on establishing a space that gives happiness and care and comfort for our staff and our students. and when the public comes to vote, as it will in another month, we invite them to sit on a bench and visit one another under the awning,” AHS Principal Danielle Ricci said.

The Caring Starts Today center was donated by the late Woodbury “Woody” Cammett, a kidney recipient, who sponsored a grant to create an area for students to relax, and to reflect on kindness, care and compassion. Cammett passed away at age 73 on July 19, 2019.

The area, an outdoor patio outside the school cafeteria, began truly taking shape last November when dozens of folks came together at the center to join Amesbury Education Foundation Inc. for the dedication of red, engraved benches installed honoring the generous sacrifice made by four kidney donors.

The four donors were sisters Cathy Toomey, Sue Deorocki, Terri Doerfler and Woody Cammett’s wife, Linda Doucette Cammett.

Looking to build the center into even more of a welcoming space for the 2024 school year, AHS staff along with AEFI members began brainstorming.

“Danielle and the staff realized that getting kids outside for learning experiences was really a good thing,” AEFI Grant Committee Chair Patty Hoyt said.

Ricci said that part of the process that led to installing the awning was thinking of ways to make the space accessible for the community regardless of weather or school hours.

“We started looking at the usability and realized that in today’s heat-related issues we needed some shade,” Ricci said.

Hoyt stressed that the entire project was covered by a donation from the Cammett Foundation.

“The awning and installation itself cost right under $40,000,” Hoyt said.

Ricci said that she was proud of the fact that students were able to contribute their ideas to the project.

“They were included on several meetings to ask about what they wanted to see. and they walked with us and talked with us. and so this project feels like it has their input as well,” Ricci said.

With the awning having been installed prior to the start of the year, Ricci said it has helped draw more foot traffic to the Caring Starts Today center.

“We’ve seen a lot of students accessing the space, and we’ve seen some teachers and staff coming out, too,” Ricci said.

Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: [email protected].

Matt Petry covers Amesbury and Salisbury for The Daily News of Newburyport. Email him at: [email protected].

Home delivery and Digital Access customers of The Daily News get deals for restaurants, hotels, attractions and other businesses, locally and across the country.

Listen to Local Pulse live at 9 a.m. on Saturdays or go back and listen to previous shows.

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos.

Sorry, there are no recent results for popular commented articles.