News from the Hill

Patrick Evuleocha ’22 shines on multiple continents

With the awards to prove it, Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Patrick Evuleocha ’22 has already made a positive impression in a Model Congress format on one continent.

Before Spring Vacation, he had hoped to do the same on a second continent.

Patrick, of Lagos, Nigeria, received a scholarship to attend the Harvard Model Congress in Boston in February. The four-day event allowed high school students the opportunity to role play with various scenarios in the U.S. government.

“I’ve always been interested in history, government and politics,” Patrick said. “When I arrived at WMA, I got the chance to explore this interest further outside the traditional classroom. I was really excited to join Model Congress because it allowed me to integrate my other interests into my love of Computer Science.

“This is something that really excites me. I did the best I could during the application process, and being a part of Leap Africa and the African Leadership Academy in South Africa definitely helped me stand out. Getting the Harvard Model Congress Merit Scholarship was a great honor and I am extremely grateful for receiving it.”

Prior to coming to WMA, Patrick participated in Leap Africa, citizenship and leadership training by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, and the African Leadership Academy, where he won multiple awards.

“Patrick is an outstanding young man who is richly deserving of this honor,” Faculty Advisor Dr. Anthony Kandel applauded. “He takes his preparation seriously, and strives to excel in all areas of his life. A naturally charming individual, Patrick will no doubt combine his intellect and demeanor to enjoy considerable success at the Model Congress Conference.” Malena Donovan ’25 living WMA values

Less than two weeks into her high school career, Malena Donovan ’25 was already living the values of Wilbraham & Monson Academy.

And not just living, but promoting those values while serving as an ambassador for the entire school.

As a member of Project 351, Malena teamed with other students from Massachusetts and the Military Heroes Fund to create 800 care packages for U.S. soldiers and veterans at an event in Boston on Sept. 11, the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

Earlier in the week, Malena and the Girls’ Soccer team wrote letters of support and mailed them to fire departments throughout the state.

Malena was just one of two students from Springfield, Massachusetts, selected to join Project 351, which focuses on kindness, compassion, humility and gratitude through community service.

“Its goal is to bring together young students from different towns in Massachusetts and show them the importance of giving back to the community and encourage service toward others,” Malena said.

“I got to meet some of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and it was great they were all my age as well and they were passionate about helping others. It’s a nice feeling when you do community work, knowing the care packages are going to actual people and this is going to help. Also, another thing that struck me was passersby were curious what we were doing and they wanted to donate or help.”

• from LEft: WMA School Counselor Tess Presnal, #Samehere company founder Eric Kussin and former Super Bowl champion Chukky Okobi. Mental health brought to forefront

Just like physical health, every person has mental health. Why, though, is it so common to talk about physical health but uncommon to talk about mental health? #Samehere, a global mental health movement, gave three presentations to students and faculty at Wilbraham & Monson Academy Nov. 15–16, with an emphasis on normalizing conversations surrounding mental health.

The Academy was one of just 10 schools in the country to receive a grant sponsored by the National Football League. Former Super Bowl champion Chukky Okobi joined company founder Eric Kussin at the Academy.

“It was great to hear both of their stories,” WMA School Counselor Tess Presnal said. “It also didn’t sound like something that was abnormal or different. They normalized the conversation and normalized that we all go through this. I thought the message that not one in five have a mental health illness, but it’s five in five that have mental health. Just like everyone has physical health, we all have mental health. We have high points and low points, and that’s normal. That’s so important to understand, especially in those teenage years.”

Ms. Presnal, recognizing the need for a schoolwide discussion about mental health, particularly during COVID-19, applied for the grant.

“I thought this was a great opportunity,” she explained. “Last year it became really clear that we were lacking community time together and lacking with any mental health programming because of the pandemic. I thought this would be a great opportunity to bring things together and bring mental health back to the discussion. For all of us, just like physical health, normalizing mental health is important.”