Andover 8th-Grader Nathan Ramani Is Project 351 Ambassador

ANDOVER, MA — Nathan Ramani, an eighth-grader at Andover's Wood Middle School, began his year-long commitment as a Project 351 Ambassador with a kickoff event in Boston last weekend.

Ramani is one of two ambassadors from Andover Public Schools selected to be part of Project 351, which is a nonprofit leadership program that gives participants opportunities for leadership development, community service and alumni mentorship.

The project, which began in 2011, is named for the 351 municipalities in Massachusetts. In the past, one ambassador was chosen from each city and town in Massachusetts. For the first time this year, municipalities have been able to select multiple ambassadors, and Ramani has joined Doherty Middle School's Olivia Wright as this year's representatives from Andover.

According to the organization, students chosen as ambassadors have displayed an exemplary ethic of service and the values of kindness, compassion, humility and gratitude.

Ramani was nominated by his social studies teacher Julian DiGloria.

"Nathan is really a thoughtful, engaged student who consistently displays maturity, kindness, and creativity in our school community," DiGloria said. "When I was asked to nominate a student for Project 351, he immediately came to mind as an ideal candidate, and I know our community will be better off because of his efforts."

Over the course of the next year, Ramani and his fellow Project 351 ambassadors will work with charities to address critical issues like hunger, educational opportunity, childhood poverty, mental health and wellness and care for military veterans.

The program is affiliated with charitable organizations like Cradles and Crayons and the Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund. Ambassadors also will get to choose local charities to help, like food pantries.

At the end of their service year, ambassadors have an opportunity to continue their community leadership as members of the Project 351 Alumni Organization.

"The 351 generation is compassion-in-action. We're honored to welcome our 13th class of leaders, dreamers, and doers," said Carolyn Casey, Project 351's founder and executive director. "We are proud of their commitment to unite as the Class of 2023 to build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead the change they wish to see in the world."