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Greenwich Teen Praised for Serving Community

Greenwich High senior John Cofer has taken on many roles in his young life. To some, he’s a tutor and a mentor. In other circles, he’s an athlete and a musician. He’s devoted to his community and founded a science-based outreach club, serves as president of the American Red Cross’ Safe Rides program and joined several academic teams during his four years at Greenwich High.

The community recognized Cofer on Tuesday night for all his efforts with one of the district’s top honors, the Fleishman Service Award. Before presenting the award, former Superintendent Ernest Fleishman told the crowd at the Greenwich Public Schools Community Service Awards Ceremony about a trip he took to India and a school in a small, poor, rural village.

“I asked the principal what his school was about. His first sentence was, ‘We entered to learn and we exit to serve.’ And as soon as he said that, I told him that two weeks hence I was going to repeat his line to the students and teachers, friends and parents who are here today,” Fleishman said. “We enter to learn, we exit to serve, and that’s what all of you have demonstrated. You’ve not only developed habits of mind, but you’ve developed habits of heart — and isn’t that what school is all about?”

Cofer said that Greenwich High impressed in him how many opportunities there are to do community service. “I served in a lot of areas that I’m interested in, like music and math. But anyone with any type of interest can find something that not only contributes to the community, but that they really want to do,” he said.

Cofer said he hopes to go to an Ivy League college after graduation in June and wants to double major in music and a math or science discipline. By Wednesday night, Cofer said he would find out where he will be headed for the next four years. “But I’m sure wherever I am, I’ll seek out opportunities to serve the community,” he said.

Do you know John Cofer? Have you benefited from his community service efforts? Comment below!

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