Celtics Honor Newton Students With ‘Heroes Among Us’ Recognition

NEWTON, MA — A pair of Newton students had a moment in the spotlight earlier this month as “Heroes Among Us” honorees during a Boston Celtics game.

Vassili Syssoev and Sam Klein, both seniors at Newton South High School, were recognized during a Jan. 9 game at the TD Garden in Boston between the Celtics and the Chicago Bulls for their work to provide landscaping and power washing services to local community members in need. The students received recognition through the Heroes Among Us program, which seeks to honor “outstanding individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to their communities,” as noted in an announcement last week.

Syssoev and Klein formed Student Landscape in October as a landscaping and power washing service. The two saw their business quickly grow, leading them to begin offering free services to seniors and those with disabilities in the Greater Boston area.

The pair donated over $3,000 in a matter of months, according to the Celtics organization last week.

Student Landscape is online at studentlandscape.com. The company details its “Community First program” on its website, explaining that it sets aside five complimentary jobs for members of the community each month who are unable to afford or perform their own home services.