Weymouth Students Promote Advocacy at Fontbonne Social Justice Fair

Eight Weymouth residents participated in the Sixth Annual Social Justice Fair at Fontbonne Academy in Milton on Thursday, March 28. The Weymouth students presented on various topics from hunger in the elderly to music education at the showcase for seniors.

Each Fontbonne senior must complete a Social Justice project where they research, advocate for, and complete direct service relating to a topic of their choice as part of the school's theology curriculum. The public and underclasswomen viewed presentations and displays at Thursday's fair.

Weymouth resident Courtney Russo presented about hunger with an emphasis on elderly people. She partnered with Kristen Robinson, who focused on childhood hunger, to volunteer with My Brother's Keeper in Easton, delivering food.

"I wanted to do something about hunger and I thought elderly was a unique spin on it," said Russo.

Sarah Martinez, an avid artist, decided to focus on global warming when she noticed she had a large stack of paper with drawings. She invested in a tablet for her drawings, saving trees in the process.

For her outreach, the South Weymouth resident, worked with the Friends of the Blue Hills and Charles River Conservancy. Martinez helped trim lower tree branches for the Charles River Conservancy and joked she felt like a hairdresser while pruning the trees.

Weymouth resident Chrissy Whalen advocated for her passion of music education at this year's Social Justice Fair. The soprano in Fontbonne’s Select Chorus and Jazz Choir discussed the importance of keeping music education in schools. Whalen participated in the Eastern Districts Music Festival this winter and in March, she participated in the All-State Music Festival.

The other Weymouth residents in the Class of 2013 are Colleen MacDonald, Maretta Morovitz, Katelyn Ciardi, Alyssa Connolly and Erin Ferrara.