HFM Career & Technical Education and Amsterdam High School student Lucas Phetteplace has been selected by the Peter R. Marsh Foundation as a recipient of this year’s Silent Servant Scholarship Award for his dedication to voluntarily serving his community.
The $500 scholarship is awarded to public high school students across the nation that exemplify empathy and compassion through volunteering in their community. The Peter R. Marsh Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Vancouver, Washington, gives the award to honor students for benevolence, a behavior and set of values that will sustain their families and communities for decades to come.
Phetteplace, a senior from the Greater Amsterdam School District, is enrolled in the Skilled Trades CTE program. He was nominated by administrators from both HFM CTE and his home school district, as well as a number of his teachers.
Phetteplace has an extensive background of involvement in his local and school community. He volunteers his time with both the Tribes Hill Fire Department and Amsterdam Rotary. He has also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable through the Boy Scouts of America. At Amsterdam High School Phetteplace participates with the Marching Rams, drama club, the track and field program and is a member of the Unified Sports bocce team.
“Lucas is like the heartbeat of Amsterdam High School,” stated Maura Friddle, a counselor at Amsterdam High School. “His unwavering dedication, infectious humor, and relentless pursuit of excellence breathe life into our community.”
Kristina Marshall, Administrative Coordinator for HFM CTE, said that Phetteplace is very deserving of the honor.
“Lucas is such a well-rounded student. Not only is he polite and respectful, but he also excels in his academics and gives back to his community as evidenced by his volunteer work with the Tribes Hill Fire Department and the Amsterdam Rotary,” said Marshall.
Phetteplace said he was honored to receive the scholarship.
“I was really excited to learn that I had won this award. I wasn’t aware that I was being nominated,” said Phetteplace.
According to the Peter R. Marsh Foundation website, in order to be considered for the award nominees must demonstrate unselfish concern for the welfare of others through volunteer work without monetary or personal gain.
Don Lucas, Phetteplace’s instructor in the Skilled Trades program at HFM CTE, said that Lucas was a great selection for the award.
“Lucas is not only exceptionally hard working, but is kind, caring, and professional. He is a quiet leader in the class by demonstrating how to be a diligent worker and genuinely nice guy,” said Lucas.
Phetteplace said he is undecided at this time what his future plans will include, but mentioned that furthering his education in a skilled trade or enrolling at SUNY Fulton-Montgomery Community College are not out of the picture.
For more information on the Peter R. Marsh Foundation, visit https://prmfoundation.org/. To learn more about the Silent Servant Scholarship Award or to nominate a student, visit the website or contact program administrator Jim Warford at jwarford@prmfoundation.org.
