Supporting the Arts, Activities and Athletics

In the spring of 2001, the Framingham Public Schools were facing substantial financial challenges. A group of Framingham High School parents organized the Framingham High School Foundation (FHSF) to ensure continuation of extracurricular activities, the arts and athletics regardless of imposed budgetary restrictions. Since its inception, the FHSF has successfully accomplished this mission through a variety of efforts, including building stronger alliances with the Metro West community, reaching out to FHS alumni, and applying for grants. The Framingham High School Foundation is unique at the school, in that the bylaws allow the donor to assign where 100% if their donation will go-- to a specific athletic team, activity or artistic pursuit. Since 2003, FHSF has organized the Salute To Framingham Dinner. The Salute is the largest single annual fundraiser for Framingham High School. As always, all proceeds from the event are used to support activities, the arts, and athletics that benefit FHS students.

20th Annual Salute to Framingham Honorees

Mark and Karen Curtis

Since 1989, Mark and Karen Curtis have been sponsoring a free Thanksgiving Day dinner for those in need. With the help of volunteers, Mark and Karen Curtis have prepared and served traditional Thanksgiving meals to thousands of needy families for more than two decades. Last year, at the “Curtis Family Feed”, nearly 1,700 people had a free, hot Thanksgiving dinner either delivered to their door or served to them at Eagles Hall in Framingham. The annual Curtis Family Thanksgiving dinner brings together more than 400 members of the community including local business owners, Framingham Girl Scouts, students from Fuller Middle School and Framingham High School and members of Framingham Youth Hockey who donate supplies, money or their time to follow the example that Mark and Karen Curtis have set for the last 23 years. As owners/operators of the Eagles All-American Grill, the Curtis’ service to the Framingham community continues year round with service to senior residents of Memorial House and the Callahan Senior Center. Through the years, Mark & Karen Curtis have been also a part of community family events ranging from Concerts on the Common to the groundbreaking at Bowditch Field.

Dave Gudejko

Dave Gudejko has been involved in the town of Framingham since moving here in 1978. For almost three decades, Dave has been active in Framingham Baseball in many capacities including serving as president of both Little League and Framingham Babe Ruth. He has coached, chaired many fundraising activities and answered the call whenever he was asked. In addition, Dave worked closely with Framingham Parks and Recreation Department as field liaison where he scheduled fields for more than 1,000 players. For many years, Dave volunteered to get up before sunrise on cold Sunday mornings to make sure that the kids got safely onto buses to enjoy the Framingham Parks and Recreation department’s ski and snowboard program. That same attitude and spirit was brought to the Marian Boosters when as past president he helped shape that organization. Additionally, Dave has coached CYO basketball and administered many youth programs through St. Bridget’s CYO including community outreach programs, ski trips and bowling.

2012 Jim O'Connor Community Service Award

This year, the Salute to Framingham will present the Jim O’Connor Community Service Award to the Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation. Named for former FHS Athletic Director and founder of the Salute to Framingham, this award honors an organization whose work benefits the youth of Framingham. The Framingham Co-operative Bank Charitable Foundation was established by Framingham Co-operative Bank in 1998 as a reflection of its long-standing commitment to the local community.

2012 "You Are Special" Award Recipients

Barbieri Elementary School	Rebecca Morrison
Brophy Elementary School	Sharon Silverman
Brophy Elementary School	Deb Hobin
Dunning Elementary School	Elizabeth Jeffery
McCarthy Elementary School	Heather Degnan
Potter Road Elementary School	Miriam Lapa Silva
Potter Road Elementary School	Jill Coates
Stapleton Elementary School	Kerri O’Brien
Woodrow Wilson Elementary School	Literacy Program
Cameron Middle School	Deb Phillips
Fuller Middle School	Lisa Columbo
Fuller Middle School	Vanda Figueiredo
Walsh Middle School	Otto Johnson
Walsh Middle School	Nancy Hulme
Framingham High School	Susan DeSimone
Framingham High School	Janice Laakko
Special Education Department	Jayne Carney

Beginning as a vision two decades ago, the Salute to Framingham has grown into one of Framingham’s most anticipated annual events, with an average of 500 people in attendance. Each year, three individuals are honored for their outstanding commitment and service to Framingham’s youth. This year’s honorees join a select group of people who have made a real difference in the lives of the children of Framingham. Over the years the Salute program has been expanded to show our appreciation to teachers and staff who make each day “special” in Framingham Public Schools. We also recognize graduating FHS students who positively impact the school community. The Salute is the largest single annual fundraiser for Framingham High School. As always, all proceeds from the event are used to benefit FHS students by supporting activities, the arts, and athletics at the school. There are many ways to support the Salute to Framingham Dinner: (See FHSF Quick Links Above)

Class of 2012 Student Recipients

Nichanan Agrasuta	Matt Hugo	Parth Patel
Nathan Alvord	Rachel Hulsman	Emma Sales
Matthew Bell	Mia Lin	Patricia Salmeron
Parmeet Bhullar	Adam Magier	Selena Santiago
Sophia DeAraujo	Brendan Moran	Tahleen Seifel
Renan De Oliveira	Courtney Myrglot	Mackenzie Shay
Donald Goff	Shamira Nambafu	Jennifer Wagner
Katherine Grindeland	Hoang Nguyen	Jonathan West