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Revere honors top elementary and middle school students with George V. Colella awards; community scholarships announced
Summary
At its June 2 meeting the Revere City Council hosted the annual George V. Colella Academic Achievement Awards, presenting nine students with $200 honoraria and certificates. The council also recognized four recipients of the City of Revere Community Scholarships funded by voluntary taxpayer contributions under state law.
Nine students from Revere public schools received the George V. Colella Academic Achievement Award at the Revere City Council meeting on June 2, 2025. The awards recognize academic achievement and citizenship; each recipient received a $200 honorarium and an honorary certificate.
The awards, presented during the council meeting, honored one student from each of Revere’s six elementary schools and each of its three middle schools. Doctor Diane Kelly, superintendent of Revere Public Schools, praised the honorees and their teachers: “all of the recipients of the George v Colella award this year are worthy,” she said.
The awards program was created and personally funded by Mayor George V. Colella before his death in 2010. Council members and school leaders noted the program’s longevity: including this year’s class, 99 students have received the award over 11 years, and the program has distributed more than $16,000 in honoraria.
Principals introduced each recipient and described classroom and extracurricular achievements. Among students named by principals during the ceremony were Juliet Calderon Tejada (Beechmont Veterans Memorial School), George Fodiatis (Hill School), Tavleen (Lincoln School), Joya Sharafa (Paul Revere School), Ariana (A.C. Wayland School), Fartoon Castani (Garfield Elementary School), Marilyn (Rodney Marsh Academy), Tyler Pham (Susan B. Anthony Middle School), and Marco (Garfield Middle School; reported absent and to receive the award later).
The council also presented City of Revere Community Scholarships to four graduating Revere High School seniors. Rose Burns, chair of the scholarship committee, said the committee evaluates financial need, character, scholastic record and community involvement under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 6C, §3C. This year’s scholarship winners are Jordan Martelli (attending Merrimack College), Ava Casanello (Stonehill College), Susie Nicholas (Suffolk University; not present), and Yani Patel (MCPHS). Each recipient was awarded $2,000 for college expenses.
Councilors and school officials thanked volunteers and past stewards of the program; several speakers said donations and voluntary taxpayer contributions sustain the community scholarships. Mayor Keith and Council President Silvestri acknowledged former officials who helped maintain the funding.
The ceremony concluded before the council returned to its regular agenda.
