WESTFIELD — Three Westfield HighSchool(WHS)studentshavebeen recognized with the Lift While You Climb Award, given in honor of late WHS Principal Derrick Nelson, Ed.D.

Dr. Nelson, who died in 2019 from complications suffered while donating bone marrow to a boy he did not know in France, once said: “We have an obligation to our fellow human beings that if we are in a position to help someone, you do it. You lift as you climb. If you can do that, you have contributed more to society than anything your bank account can produce and, ultimately, contribute more to your own well-being.”

Nominated by WHS faculty and staff for Fall 2023, the three recipients of the Lift While You Climb Award are 12th graders Nina Chermak and Diana Houbanova, and 10th grader Mia Saco.

Letters of nomination describe Ms. Chermak as someone who “demonstrates an extremely strong character and a sense of responsibility to her school work and community” and Ms. Houbanova as having “a strong inner compass, compassion for others, and integrity in the face of social pressure.” Another nominator noted that Ms. Saco is “a true upstander who is always polite and helpful and who steps up to the plate in time of need” whether or not she knows the person.

The award is sponsored by the WHS Counseling Department twice during the academic year, in the Fall and the Spring.