On Tuesday the community gathered to recognize the 2026 Greenwich Public Schools community service award honorees in the Greenwich High School Performing Arts Center.
The awards were originally the brainchild of former Greenwich Schools superintendent Dr. Ernest Fleishman. Back in 1986 his idea was to honor students for their participation in service activities that help to improve both their school and the community.
During the ceremony, First Selectman Fred Camillo presented Dr. Fleishman with a proclamation declaring April 21, 2026 “Dr. Ernest B. Fleishman Day” to acknowledge 40 years of Community Service Award celebrations.
This year GHS senior Riona McKersie was named the winner of the prestigious Fleishman Service Award. Photo: Angela Cranford
Students were selected from each elementary school to accept the award on behalf of the entire school for service activities and projects that they have participated in throughout the year.
Community Service Awards were also presented to middle school students representing Central, Western and Eastern, as well as to five high school students, representing each GHS house.
Photo: Angela Cranford
Elementary School Awards (School, Representatives, Principal)
Cos Cob School, Jonah Meyer, Kerry Gavin
Glenville School, Nora McQueen, Klara Monaco
Hamilton Avenue School, Derek Lulgjuraj, Diane Chiappetta-Fox
International School at Dundee, Charlotte Ranalli, Phil Hammack
Julian Curtiss School, Declan Krupa, Eduardo Calderón
New Lebanon School, Jose Rocha, Dr. Daniel Russo
North Mianus School, Catherine Peters, Kathleen Ramirez
North Street School, Olivia Crohn, Jill Flood
Old Greenwich School, Willem Watson, Dr. Jennifer Bencivengo
Parkway School, Robert Pacaj, Mary Grandville
Riverside School, Rodrigo Ferrario Alonso, Jason Martín
Photo: Angela Cranford
Middle School Awards (School, recipient, principal)
Central Middle School, Lilia Dubin, Thomas Healy
Eastern Middle School, Blake Shattuck, Marc Guarino
Western Middle School, Daniela Puchi, Suzanne Coyne
Photo: Angela Cranford
High School Awards
House, Recipients, Administrator
Bella House, May Collins, Lucy Arecco
Cantor House, Ambika Jha, Christina Shaw
Clark House, Megan Carriello, David Walko
Folsom House, Sylvester Pecora, Andrew Byrne
Sheldon House, Ella Whitridge, Brigid Barry
Dr. Ernest B. Fleishman. Photo: Angela Cranford
Greenwich High School’s Performing Arts Center. Photo: Angela Cranford
Greenwich Schools Superintendent Dr. Toni Jones. Photo: Angela Cranford
Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo. Photo: Angela Cranford
Greenwich Board of Education chair Dr. Michael-Joseph Mercanti-Anthony. Photo: Angela Cranford