Cancellarini Award
Each year, the Berlin Land Trust (BLT) presents the Cancellarini Service Award to a graduating Berlin High School senior who has demonstrated an active interest in conservation and environmental studies. Based on criteria defined by the BLT, the winner is selected by the Berlin High School Science Department .
The award of $500 and a book on an environmental topic, has been presented since 1996.
Brandon Peate Receives Cancellarini Award
Since 1996, the Berlin Land Trust has presented the Cancellarini Service Award to a graduating Berlin High School senior who has demonstrated an active interest in conservation and environmental studies. The Berlin Land Trust is proud to announce that Brandon Peate is the 2019 recipient.
Brandon Peate is an extraordinary Berlin High School senior, who has demonstrated leadership and an active interest in conservation and the natural world. He is active hiker, rock climber and environmental advocate, who accomplished several important projects to improve Berlin High School. As part of his Eagle Scout project, Brandon constructed two 40-foot flower beds and filled them with organic potting soil that he transported to the site by wheelbarrow. He, also, filled a 50-foot drainage ditch on high school property that no longer served a purpose. He filled the ditch with filler dirt and planted grass over the pit. He found the resources to add three picnic tables to the area for students to sit outside and enjoy the natural world. Our community is a better place because of his efforts.
His love of the natural world is inspired and nurtured by Doug Tuitt, the Director of Berlin Social & Youth Services. Brandon participated in three extensive canoeing trips and two backing trips throughout the Northeast led by Truitt. Closer to home, Brandon frequently hikes on the Berlin Land Trust properties. His favorite is the Ragged Mountain Parcel that was donated to the Land Trust by Earl H. Wicklund in 2002. “I appreciate the Berlin Land Trust’s care of parts of Ragged Mountain. I have been rock climbing on a few different faces, and it is one of my favorite hikes.”
He will be attending Hofstra University to study neuroscience with the goal of becoming a doctor specializing in neuroscience. He became interested in the field because of his personal experience with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease, a disease affecting the nervous system. Brandon’s doctor inspired him to help others with the disease and to find a cure someday.
“Part of the Berlin Land Trust mission is to support a graduating senior from Berlin,” said Berlin Land Trust President Dennis Kern. “The Cancellarini Award allows us to invest directly in the education of future leaders, as well as show them the support of their community. We are extremely proud of all Brandon has accomplished and are honored that the Berlin Land Trust can contribute to his education. We look forward to seeing what the future holds for Brandon.”
If you are interested in donating to the Cancellarini program and supporting future leaders of Berlin, please contact the Berlin Land Trust at berlinlandtrustct@gmail.com or call (860) 828-4393.
Cancellarini Service Award Winners
June 2019: Congratulations to Brandon Peate, Berlin High School Class of 2019
June 2018: Congratulations to Lauren Salee, Berlin High School Class of 2018
June 2017: Congratulations to Kiara Landeo, Berlin High School Class of 2017
June 2016: Congratulations to Madison Blake, Berlin High School Class of 2016
June 2015: Congratulations to Tiffany Nguyen, Berlin High School Class of 2015
June 2014: Congratulations to Natasha Nixon, Berlin High School Class of 2014
Lauren Salee, 2018 Recipient
Tiffany Nguyen, 2015 Recipient
Natasha Nixon, 2014 recipient and Berlin Land Trust Director Carl Vernlund
Photo Credit: Shannon Manchesi