Andover 8th-Grader Olivia Wright Chosen As Project 351 Ambassador

ANDOVER, MA — Olivia Wright, an eighth grader at Andover's Doherty Middle School has been selected as the town's 2023 Project 351 ambassador, Andover Public Schools has announced.

Founded in 2011, Project 351 is a nonprofit leadership program that gives its ambassadors opportunities for leadership development, community service and alumni mentorship.

Each year, a student is chosen for the program from all 351 municipalities in Massachusetts. According to the organization, the chosen students have displayed an exemplary ethic of service and the values of kindness, compassion, humility and gratitude.

"(Wright) was nominated by her teachers as she is a student who demonstrates empathy, leadership and composure," Doherty Middle School Principal Robin Wilson said. "We are proud to have Olivia represent Andover Public Schools. We know she will have a wonderful experience as an ambassador."

Over the course of the year, 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 will 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."

On Saturday in Boston, Project 351 will celebrate Launch Day for the Class of 2023. There will be a kickoff program and end-of-day celebration at Faneuil Hall.

Ambassadors will dedicate the afternoon to performing service for 10 nonprofit organizations, including La Colaborativa, Cradles to Crayons, Hope & Comfort, and the Wonderfund.

The day also will feature a special tribute to "The Embrace," the memorial to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King, which was due to be unveiled on Friday.