With her family and friends in the audience, Newtown High School junior Mackenzie Page was honored by the Board of Education during its meeting on Tuesday, February 3.

The board has a practice of highlighting individuals and groups during celebrations of excellence at its meetings. Mackenzie, who has brought The Great Pumpkin Challenge to Main Street for four years, was the latest to be honored.

“Remarkably, consistently, and annually she has raised $14,800 for various charities,” Superintendent of Schools Joseph V. Erardi, Jr, said. “She has raised money for cancer, she has raised money for a private donor, but most recently, and for an extended period of time, she has raised money for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.”

The Great Pumpkin Challenge began in 2011 when Mackenzie, then in eighth grade at Newtown Middle School, was inspired to support family friend Zoe McMorran, who was diagnosed with brain cancer. She challenged residents to carve a pumpkin, drop it off for display at her family’s home on Main Street, and offer a suggested donation of $5.

Since then, the challenge has grown.

This past year, as in recent years, Mackenzie was out at public events to raise awareness about the then upcoming October challenge. She visited Paproski’s Castle Hill Farm and attended the Newtown Lions Club’s Great Pumpkin Race.

Dr Erardi announced on Tuesday that Mackenzie’s total contribution to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp through her efforts has been, to date, $9,365.

“Certainly on behalf of my office, the leadership team, and the school board, you stand here as a celebrated student and you stand here, I believe, for all the right reasons,” Dr Erardi said, “for no personal gain other than doing things that are so respectful and responsible.”

He thanked Mackenzie for “being a very special student at Newtown High School.”

School Board Chair Keith Alexander presented Mackenzie with a certificate during the meeting.

“We really appreciate when our students take on the initiative to solve a problem out there and by providing a bunch of funds to a fantastic organization you surpassed that,” Mr Alexander said.

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Community Events Coordinator Andrea Keefe also attended Tuesday’s Board of Education meeting to support Mackenzie.

Ms Keefe thanked the board for celebrating Mackenzie.

“If you have never gotten to her home on Main Street to see [the pumpkins in the Great Pumpkin Challenge] please stop by, because it is a tremendous thing that happens annually,” said Ms Keefe.

Beyond Mackenzie’s work with the Great Pumpkin Challenge, Ms Keefe said Mackenzie —  who was inducted into The National Honor Society in November — has also inspired others to give back in their own unique ways.

Mackenzie thanked the board for recognizing her for the work she has done over the last four years.

“I’ve learned so much from this whole experience,” said Mackenzie, adding that she has learned to organize and “how to put your heart and soul into a project that can grow beyond just some pumpkins.”