HATFIELD — As a volunteer for several organizations, president of her high school class and a student leader on Student Council, Hadley Szynal has been active in her service to others.

Her understanding of the power of giving and compassion stems from her childhood when her mother would frequently read Shel Silverstein’s book “The Giving Tree” to her and her brother. Now Szynal, a recent graduate of Smith Academy, is set to branch out into the world with an impressive list of accomplishments under her belt, which most recently includes the Daily Hampshire Gazette’s Young Community Leader Award.

Szynal was recognized during the United Way of Franklin and Hampshire Region’s awards celebration and annual meeting Friday afternoon, where she was presented with the award and $500, half of which will be given to a charity of her choice.

“I’m really very grateful for this amazing award,” Szynal said.

The Young Community Leader Award honors a person between the ages of 15 and 22 who lives in Franklin or Hampshire County and has contributed to the community through volunteerism or other community involvement, such as civic engagement or public participation.

The award debuted in 2017, and past winners include Allison Jenks, Christian Ciolkos and Lilly Fellows.

Szynal, 17, a resident of Hatfield, has served on Student Council for six years and as a class officer for four years, is the immediate past president of the Western Massachusetts Association of Student Councils, and is a state board member of the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils and a member of the National Honor Society.

She likened the support given to her as a student at Smith Academy to that of “The Giving Tree,” affording her many opportunities and experiences despite its being a small school.

“It’s unlike anywhere else. I just always felt supported by our administration, the other students and my teachers,” she said.

Among those nominating her for the honor was Cathy Englehardt, vice chairperson of the Hatfield School Committee and vice chairperson of the Collaborative for Educational Services, who put Szynal’s name forward because she felt she exemplified all the qualities one would expect in a leader, whether a youth or adult.

Englehardt said Szynal made an impression on her when she became the student representative to the School Committee, where she was always well-prepared with a report on student activities and concerns.

“She truly is an outstanding young woman,” Englehardt said. “She is kind, respectful, sincere, thoughtful, and intentional in all that she does. Hadley is a terrific mentor and an inclusive leader, who has the ability to draw out the best in others.”

Though she was very impressed by Szynal’s accomplishments, she said that she was particularly proud of the teen’s involvement with the Massachusetts Association of Student Councils, representing her peers on Smith Academy’s student council and the region as the Western Massachusetts president, as well as being a board member at the state level.

“The world is at her doorstep, and I cannot wait to see what she does in it,” she said.

In addition to civic engagement, Szynal has also volunteered for Relay for Life for three years, Special Olympics of Massachusetts for one year, and as a youth field hockey coach for two years.

She also achieved the Seal of Biliteracy, an award that recognizes students who have attained a high level of proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing one or more languages in addition to English.

Allison Slysz, biology teacher and athletic director at Smith Academy, said Szynal displayed a steadfast dedication to the school’s field hockey team, where she was a captain during her senior year.

“As class president and her involvement with the school and regional student councils, she takes her leadership roles seriously and wholeheartedly wants to best serve her constituents,” Slysz said.

Szynal’s mother, Diana Szynal, described her daughter as being “wise beyond her years” and said she loves to be in service to others.

In the fall, Szynal will be heading to Quinnipiac University in Hampden, Connecticut to study health sciences in the honors program. After earning her undergraduate degree, she hopes to study to be a physician’s assistant or PA.

“Her going into the caregiving field is no surprise to me. Lucky will be the patients that cross her path someday,” Diana Syznal said. “Her father and I are endlessly proud of her.”

Emily Thurlow can be reached at ethurlow@gazettenet.com.]]>