NORWICH – In light of his commitment to community and service to others, Matthew Lippa, a Norwich High School senior, was recently honored with the Student Community Service Award.
Lippa was among 32 high school seniors from Broome, Tioga and Chenango counties to receive the award for community service. Each year, the program – a collaboration between New York State Senator Tom Libous, DCMO BOCES, and WBNG-TV – offers graduating students a $1,000 scholarship to pursue their college goals.
“I was surprised and happy to have won. Even to have been nominated is an honor,” Lippa said.
Students this year were recognized for a variety for volunteer services, including special events and fundraisers, volunteering at nursing homes and hospitals, organizing food drives, renovating park facilities, and one who made a mission trip to Kenya.
Lippa was awarded for his work as a two-year volunteer with the Plymouth and Norwich fire departments and EMS – an experience he hopes to one day use toward a longlasting career.
“I want to go to SUNY Broome for my associate's in paramedicine,” he said, adding his goal of eventually working full-time with the Norwich Fire Department. “The feeling that you get after you help someone is just incomparable. Knowing that I'm a volunteer firefighter just helping the community, there's nothing better.”
Lippa had also previously been the recipient of the Plymouth Fire Department Award of Excellence.
“I have had a lot of mentors at both departments,” he added. “I want to thank all the firefighters who have been alongside me doing it all.”