The original Bronze Tablet, which is awarded to a graduating senior that has done the most for the welfare, good name and progress of Westfield High School. (Photo by Robby Veronisi)
WESTFIELD – For decades, Westfield High School has awarded its highest honor, the Bronze Tablet, to a member of the graduating class that has demonstrated the most for the welfare, good name and progress of the institution. The 2015 winner has now been narrowed down to the final three candidates.
Either Kevin Chambers, Christina Onyski or Eric Shilyuk will be awarded the prestigious award on June 5, after the trio was revealed as the final three nominees for the 2015 award.
Regardless of who wins the award, the recipient will be a deserving student, demonstrated by the page-long autobiographies of their high school career that fill a bulletin board next to the WHS main office.
Chambers served as the WHS student body president and his role in the Westfield Student Council has presented the senior with plenty of opportunities to serve his community. Chambers was named Westfield’s delegate to both the Western Massachusetts Association of Student Councils (WMASC) and the Western Massachusetts Regional Student Advisory Council for the last two years.
On top of his time in high school politics, Chambers, who will be attending the University of Massachusetts-Amherst in the fall, also has represented Westfield on the athletic fields, playing on the boys’ varsity lacrosse team for four years, playing on the Bomber team that made the Central/Western Massachusetts championship for the first time in school history. Chambers also made some history on the track, competing for the Western Massachusetts champion in the 4×200-yard relay.
“I have learned and grown a lot in my time at WHS,” said Chambers in his autobiography. “I figured out the hard way how to own up to my mistakes and fix them, and that no matter how hard you try, some things won’t turn out perfectly. I have also learned that my greatest resources—the ones that are there no matter what, are my family, friends and teachers.”
The lone female finalist in the group, Onyski also has a long resume of service and involvement during her time at WHS. Like Chambers, Onyski serves on the 2015 Student Council, taking the role of historian. When not in student council, Onyski most likely is found with a camera in her hands, acting as the yearbook’s chief photographer.
A four-year member of the varsity field hockey team, Onyski has displayed sound leadership qualities and a heart to serve the community. At WHS, she has served food for Best Buddies’ prom, welcomed new freshmen during Orientation and received a letter from President Barack Obama for her “Change for Changing Children’s Lives”, where she helped raise $1000 for the Shriners Children Hospital in Springfield.
This heart for service transitions well into her upcoming college years, thanks to the curriculum at Elms College in Chicopee.
“Elms College has a requirement of community service,” said Onyski. “At the beginning of the year, I’m going to do a week of community service, so I think that the community service I’ve done here is going to help (in the future).”
The third nominee, Shilyuk, has made an impression the faculty and his peers in part due to his work ethic and genuine love and respect for the people around him. Shilyuk has made an impact on the athletic side of student life, helping lead Westfield’s volleyball team to a 16-2 regular season and a high seed in the upcoming 2015 Western Massachusetts tournament.
Shilyuk not only has represented Westfield well on the athletic fields, but his commitment to academic excellence has led to the senior being named to the National Honor Society. An incoming freshman at Western New England University, Shilyuk looks to continue representing Westfield as he moves on to college a couple towns east in Springfield.
“I know I’m always going to be a Bomber,” said Shilyuk. “I love Westfield High School (and) I think when you go somewhere, you represent it. You’re a part of it, so you got to represent it the way you want to represent it.”
