“I personally believe that it is important to give back because we are responsible, as cohabiters of this planet, to care for one another. Giving back showcases our selflessness and our desire to ensure a good quality of life for all people. Even when we are successful, giving back shows our humility and in turn, makes us better people,” It is this deep belief that seventeen year old Sara Taborda embodies that makes her a perfect candidate to receive today a one thousand dollar Metta Student Foundation grant.With today’s latest winner, the Metta Students Foundation has awarded thirty-three thousand dollars to students who have done acts of kindness and continue to #sharemetta.
Taborda is deeply involved in community service at Saint Raphael Academy. She participates in the vacation camps they organize for children living in low income housing units. With the group she helps give children a place to go, which also gives them the chance to create new friendships and to become part of a greater community. The group creates food and toy baskets for the needy in their community during the holiday season.
“I have had the distinct pleasure of knowing Sara Taborda for the last three years at Saint Raphael Academy. During this time, I had exponentially grown to value and admire the impact Sara has on the students and faculty of Saint Raphael Academy,” states Marc Thibault – Vice Principal of Student Life. “Her wisdom is beyond her years and service to the greater community has been instrumental. Sara volunteers at soup kitchens, Lasallian Youth, community cleanup projects, participates in sports, nursing home, preschools, church, peer ministry, student government, and national honor society. In addition, Sara has been nominated for the Saint Timothy’s Award. This is a national award given annually in the Diocese of Providence to Catholic young people from each Regional Vicariate and one student from each Catholic High School.”
Norm Kelly, founder of Software Quality Associates in Providence, created the Metta Students Foundation in October of 2012 after learning of one teen’s act of kindness towards another teen. “Metta means love and kindness,” states Norm Kelly. “The common denominator with all of our Metta Students is their compassion, unselfishness and dedication to others. Each is unique, but they all want to make the world a better place.”
“Winning the Metta grant has been an absolute honor for me,” statesTaborda. “The acts of service and charity that I did during high school were not done to receive recognition, but the fact that an organization honors students like me shows that there is still good in the world’s youth. It is satisfying to know that people still appreciate acts of kindness and this honor has only made me want to continue serving those in my community.”
It is for all of these reasons the Metta Students is proud to award one thousand dollars to Taborda. To see video of how the Metta Students foundation began or for more information about the foundation, log onto www.mettastudents.org
