Azzure Annacacis chosen as Project 351 Ambassador

Azzure Annacacis

Lincoln School eighth-grader Azzure Annacacis has been selected as Lincoln’s 2021 Project 351 Ambassador. She joins other eighth-graders representing the 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts for a transformational year of youth-led service, leadership development, and civic engagement.

Azzure was selected by the Lincoln School to represent Lincoln for an inspiring ethic of service and the values of kindness, compassion, humility, and gratitude. In her application, she wrote, “Community service is important to me because it helps underprivileged people change their circumstances and allows them to go back and help their community. Also, because it helps privileged people use their privilege to help less fortunate communities. In addition, it helps humanize each group to each other, thereby creating a stronger bond. Lastly, community service is essential because the community is a strong foundation of society it helps everyone.” When the teachers read this, they could not think of a better representative to be present on behalf of the community of Lincoln.

On March 7, Ambassadors celebrated the official start of their service year at a virtual Launch featuring remarks from Gov. Charlie Baker honoring the legacy of civil rights hero and Congressman John Lewis. Launch marks the start of ten months of community-building and transformational service in support of nonprofit partners including Cradles to Crayons, Hope & Comfort, Wonderfund, and hundreds of food pantries across the state.

Ambassadors are now engaged in a four-week Service Leadership Academy to build the knowledge and skills to lead and serve. Highlights include a community meeting with First Lady Lauren Baker and anti-bias, anti-discrimination training through the Playbook Initiative, a partnership with the Boston Celtics.

Through Project 351, which is funded entirely by the private sector and individuals, Ambassadors gain skills for a lifetime of service, strengthen the ethic of civic engagement, and scale service impacts to address the causes and consequences of poverty. More than 4,000 eighth-graders have participated since the program was founded in 2011.