NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR.

Caitlin Moynihan, Jessica Onditi and Heather Trippi, all of Shrewsbury, recently graduated from the Assabet Valley Regional Technical School practical nurse program.

Trippi also received and academic achievement award.

Members of the St. Mary School Principal Search Committee, at St. Mary's Parish, recently named Joan T. Barry of Shrewsbury as the new principal of St. Mary School.

"Joan brings with her a lifelong commitment to education and a wealth of administrative experience," said the Rev. Michael Rose, St. Mary's pastor. "She has been an active St. Mary's Church member and the parish feels blessed that Joan will be sharing her experience in the education field, her leadership ability and her ever present faith with St. Mary School."

Barry served as director of professional development at Teachers 21 for two years, overseeing the planning and delivery of academic professional development for more than 200 districts across Massachusetts. Previously, she served as principal at Stoneybrook and Millennium schools, in Westford, and assistant principal at the former Shrewsbury Middle School. She received a principal's certificate from Harvard University and a master's degree in both family and community education and administration and supervision from Columbia University.

Barry, who begins her new duties this month, will succeed Joanne Gannon, who served as principal of St. Mary School for nine years.

State Rep. Karyn Polito, who represents Shrewsbury and precincts 1 and 4 in Westboro, hosted the seventh annual Karyn Polito Charity Golf Tournament on Aug. 11, at Pleasant Valley Country Club, in Sutton.

One hundred percent of the proceeds are distributed to two local charities - Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services and the Westborough Food Pantry, which each received checks for $10,000 at the dinner event with remaining contributions (still being processed) to be divided equally between the two.

"I am so pleased with the outcome of this year's tournament. It is amazing that we have been able to distribute over $150,000 to these two very deserving local charities over the past seven years," Polito said. "I am thankful to the participants, the sponsors, as well as the Golf Committee, who worked hard throughout the year to ensure that this event would be both fun and successful."

Sponsors included Ball Financial, Gene DeFeudis, Brendon Properties, TD Bank North, CHK Group at Smith Barney, AstraZeneca, Lexus of Northborough, Mackintire Insurance Agency, Central One Federal Credit Union, Wheelabrator Technologies Inc., Polito Development Corp., J.A. Polito and Sons, Dunkin' Donuts of Shrewsbury, Paul Mitchell Hair Lines and Roche Brothers.

Megan Roy of Shrewsbury, who will be a senior at Shrewsbury High School in the fall, was selected to be one of 12 students to represent the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) at the 2008 National Federation of High Schools Student Leadership Conference, in Indianapolis, Ind.

The conference was held July 17 to 20 and was attended by more than 300 students from across the United States, Canada and Israel.

The curriculum for the conference focuses on respect, positive values, perspective, sportsmanship, teamwork, healthy lifestyles and community service. The students also participated in a citywide community service project.

Roy has also been asked to serve on the Student Advisory Committee for the MIAA this coming school year and will serve as a captain of the volleyball and lacrosse teams.

Justin Chambers of Shrewsbury was recently named to the dean's list at the University of New Hampshire.

Chambers, who will be a sophomore in the fall, had a grade point average of 3.77. He is a 2007 graduate of Shrewsbury High School.

In an effort to promote energy conservation and help consumers reduce their monthly energy bills, Attorney General Martha Coakley's Office has awarded $56,755 in grants to six municipalities and eight nonprofit organizations, including the Shrewsbury Council on Aging, which received a $1,500 mini-grant.

The grant funding is for consumer aid and educational programs designed to help consumers better navigate the energy market in Massachusetts by providing them with knowledge about energy contracts, weatherization methods, and competitive market options.

The Home Heating Project will be part of the Consumer Awareness and Resources for Elders in Shrewsbury (CARES) Program, and will work to publicize energy savings programs through television, a printed booklet, and the Senior Edition Newsletter. By educating the community, the Council on Aging hopes to alleviate some of the financial concerns facing the community in the coming winter.

The grant money was awarded during the week of Aug. 11, and must be utilized by Nov. 15.

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ART: PHOTOS

PHOTOG: COURTESY PHOTO

CUTLINE: (1) Joan T. Barry. (2) Richard Nason of Shrewsbury recently caught - and released - this 9-pound 4-ounce large mouth bass at the Wachusett Reservoir. (3) Rep. Karyn Polito presents a check to Jeff Chin for Shrewsbury Youth and Family Services from the proceeds of the seventh annual Karyn Polito Charity Golf Tournament.