Emma Dwyer is the Madison Lions Club’s 2021 Miss Be Thankful You Can See. Emma, a Daniel Hand High School senior, was introduced by Deborah Rossi, Hand guidance counselor, at the Club’s March 16 dinner meeting. Emma is the 58th DHHS senior to have “lent” Lions her eyes for this sightworthy drive. Her parents, Steven and Holly Dwyer, attended with Emma.
Mrs. Rossi explained that “Emma was selected by the high school as an outstanding student, kind, passionate and responsible. Throughout her years at Daniel Hand High School, Emma has succeeded to balance an impressive, holistic schedule with ease. She excelled at English and History and loves writing stories. Her education and career goals are to study and become a psychologist. Emma is very thoughtful in her connections throughout class and is not afraid to respectfully challenge ideas and learnings. Academically, Emma was always looking to challenge herself. She has accomplished this by speaking out and taking opportunities to lead through classwork and class participation. Emma has grown and developed through these academic experiences, learning how to manage her time and achieve a balance in both her school and personal life.
“Socially Emma has been very active in clubs at DHHS and this is where she shines. She found her connection through clubs that focus on helping peers. Emma has been a two-year member and volunteer through our Madison Youth and Family Roots club which is a student led group that empowers youth to grow, strengthen and support each other and their community. She is also a member of Caring for CT, a civic minded club that plans and participates in volunteer activities that benefit our State. She was Treasurer of our Clay club which makes and sells its pottery in the surrounding community. In her spare time, she attended CT Korean school for a year to take Korean lessons. Throughout these experiences, Emma has learned leadership and organizational skills. Giving back is a strong connection for Emma and she will continue to make these positive connections throughout her life.”
The MC for the evening was Lion Dr. Larry Bilker, who described the origins of the program.
The Be Thankful You Can See drive started modestly in 1963 when two Madison Lions Club members introduced it as a fund raiser for vision projects. The photographed and anonymous eyes of an outstanding DHHS senior are featured in a mail appeal to the Madison public asking for donations to support the Madison Lions in its response to Helen Keller’s challenge for Lions everywhere to be Knights of the Blind and the vision impaired. The success of the drive with these wonderful eyes has enabled the Madison Lions to donate well over $100,000 for eye research, eye care for the needy in Madison, and devices that help the visually impaired to better deal with the challenges of daily life.
Madison Lions Club President, Marinus de Jongh, conducted the ceremony, during which Emma presented a $1,000 check from the Club to Lion Past District Governor Denise Dudek, current president of Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation and a former graduate of Daniel Hand High School. CLERF President Dudek thanked and complemented the Madison Lions for successfully maintaining the Be Thankful Program for 58 years.
The Madison Lions Club members wish to thank all who have supported this program over the past 58 years. Anyone wishing to donate to the current campaign may make their check payable to the Madison Lions Foundation with the notation “MBT” in the memo section, and mail it to: PO Box 99, Madison, CT 06443.
Contact person: Madison Lions, Dick Borner at 860-227-8045
For information about joining the Madison Lions Club contact:
Lion Barry Miller at 203-421-3326
