To the editor:
I am writing to express my unwavering support for Kate DePrizio’s candidacy for the three-year term on the School Committee. Kate’s exemplary leadership style, characterized by active engagement and dedication to our community, uniquely positions her to continue making significant contributions to our schools and the broader educational landscape. In a tumultuous year for school administration, she emerged as a voice of reason and was unanimously appointed chair, underscoring the confidence and trust our community places in Kate’s vision and leadership abilities. Her focus on enhancing communication channels between the School Committee and the community highlights a proactive approach to addressing current educational challenges and opportunities.
I first met Kate when our daughters were entering kindergarten at Huckleberry High School. She was kind, gracious, and welcoming during the challenging times of the pandemic. I soon learned that there are a handful of volunteers in our community, and Kate manages to support a wide array of organizations. Her involvement with the Girl Scouts demonstrates her commitment to fostering leadership and teamwork among our youth. Her efforts in organizing clean-up events at our schools and Glen Meadow, including the spring clean-up, show her dedication to environmental stewardship and instilling a sense of community responsibility in our children.
Our Girl Scout troop partnered with Kate’s to honor our Lynnfield veterans with gift cards. I remember at one of our meetings, she had the idea, and the next time we spoke, she had coordinated with Bruce Siegel, and we were on our way. Her initiative to support our veterans through a gift card fundraiser, successfully collecting, purchasing, packaging, and delivering gifts to 435 veterans, highlights her ability to inspire and mobilize our youth toward noble causes. This project allowed our girls to interact meaningfully with veterans, fostering a deep appreciation for their service and sacrifices.
Kate’s volunteering extends beyond Girl Scouts. As the Variety Show co-director, she has gone above and beyond to ensure that every child feels celebrated and seen. Her approach to addressing individual anxieties and fears, coupled with her ability to provide creative avenues for self-expression, has led a successful show for 130 students and their families. Her creativity in finding ways for children to engage with their community and collaborate on projects is commendable. Her role as a softball coach and board member, and her initiative to revive the Softball Parade, further exemplify her commitment to youth sports and community engagement. Kate’s consistent presence at town events, where she is known for distributing flags to children during Veterans Day ceremonies, underscores her passion for community involvement. Lastly, her contributions as a former PTO board member, where she played a pivotal role in organizing events such as the Golf Tournament, speak volumes about her dedication to our educational environment.
Kate DePrizio’s extensive record of community service and leadership clearly demonstrates her suitability for the School Committee. Her commitment to engagement, collaboration, and the well-being of our children and community is exactly what we need. I wholeheartedly endorse Kate DePrizio for the three-year term on School Committee and urge others to recognize the value she will bring to this role.
Confident in Kate DePrizio’s leadership, I am certain the Lynnfield School Committee will navigate these challenges with integrity and vision. Her ability to unite and inspire our community towards a common goal of educational excellence will undoubtedly lead us to new heights of achievement and collaboration.
Sincerely,
Lisa McKenna
