MARLBOROUGH – Antonino Melchionne, 16, of Westfield, an eighth-grade student at Longmeadow’s Willie Ross School for the Deaf (WRSD), started a new trend by creating and producing his own music video essay titled “What My School Means to Me” that went on to be chosen as this year’s winning maaps award winner from more than 70 submissions.
In previous years, students who received the Massachusetts Association of 766 Approved Private Schools’ (Maaps) “What My School Means to Me Award” submitted written essays that highlighted how their special education school has contributed to their successes and achievements. Melchionne’s video was selected out of 70 submissions by students from 18 maaps member schools across the state.
“We are delighted to recognize Antonino for his exceptional work, his creativity and successes,” Maaps Executive Director James V. Major said. “Maaps member schools, like the Willie Ross School for the Deaf, and their teachers and staff work tirelessly to provide high-quality educational experiences to their students. Antonino’s award and his continued success reflects those efforts and the progress being made each day.”
Melchionne was honored by maaps in front of more than 700 special education teachers and professionals at the Association’s 38th annual conference on Friday, April 1 at the Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel and Trade Center in Marlborough. Maaps is a non-profit trade association whose 87 member school organizations provide high-quality educational services and programs to students with special needs across the state.
In his award-winning music video, Melchionne says: “Willie Ross makes me happy. The teachers are awesome. I like meeting people. They have awesome after-school activities. I’m thankful for my teachers and friends who support and care for me; teachers and friends who are really nice and helpful to me. Willie Ross has given me the opportunity to meet and make new friends, both hearing and deaf.”
Melchionne, who attends WRSD’s Partnership Program housed at Birchland Park Middle School in East Longmeadow, also touched upon the ways his school has helped him make friends and feel included in the community.
“Before coming to Willie Ross, I did not have any friends, now I am happy that I have hearing and deaf friends,” he said. “Going to Willie Ross gives me the best of both worlds.”
The Willie Ross School for the Deaf, based in Longmeadow, is a leader in providing a comprehensive education for deaf and hard-of-hearing children alongside hearing children. The school stresses academic excellence that focuses on the development of students’ intellectual, social and emotional growth for its students.
“Nino has made significant gains in academic, behavioral and social areas,” said Gregory DeLisle, WRSD’s director of educational services. “He has embraced all aspects of the educational and extracurricular opportunities at Willie Ross School for the Deaf.”
