Medford Resident Considered for Service Award

2010 Medford High School graduate and current UMass-Lowell freshman Brendan Reardon has been nominated for a Students in Service award. The awards program is a national search for inspirational college students who are positively impacting social and environmental challenges, according to its website.

Reardon has been actively involved with the Medford-based I’m Allergic to Stupid Decisions project. The project launched in 2009 and helps support teens in making healthy decisions while around alcohol. Text “TADD” to 69302 and receive a unique fact, excuse or alternative to underage drinking. According to Reardon’s application, the I’m Allergic to Stupid Decisions provided excuses to over 100 teens in 1,000 texts in the first four months of the project.

Reardon could win either $5,000 or $2,500, which he said he will use to support the project.

Reardon said before getting involved with I’m Allergic to Stupid Decisions (IA2SD), he struggled with meeting the school’s fifteen hour per year volunteering requirement. However, the project have a strong impact on him and he decided he loves volunteering and working with youth.

“Being my first legitimate volunteer experience, IA2SD has changed my world. I love volunteering. I began to involve myself more with volunteering…I discovered I love working with youth, and want to work in education for part of my professional career,” said Reardon.

“Brendan is an inspiring young man. He was such a stellar part of TADD-South and part of the team that made IA2SD happen. He is just such a great example of what our youth today ARE capable of doing,” said Gisela Rots, who worked with Reardon on the IA2SD project.

After UMass-Lowell Reardon said he is considering the Peace Corps or Ameri Corps.

Vote for Reardon by clicking here.

– InsideMedford.com