Vice President uses service experience to benefit campus

Adam Whittet
Staff Writer

Stephen Pelletier prides himself on what he can give back to his community.

Pelletier, who graduated from Berlin High School, racked up a number of experiences that he felt would make him an ideal candidate for his goals at Hudson Valley. Pelletier is currently acting as the Student Senate’s Vice President with a major in criminal justice. Graduating from Hudson Valley this year, Pelletier plans to go on to law school after.

“Being Vice President right now will give me a foundation that I can later use in my plan to be a litigator,” said Pelletier.
Pelletier takes pride in his achievements being the youngest boy in his troop for the Eagle Scouts, which is a high rank in the Boy Scouts of America. In order to become an Eagle Scout, a person must do a service project to show that that person is willing to give back to their community.

“I always looked up to president Kennedy and his words, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country.” That’s what really kept me going, trying to do what I can for others on a day to day basis.”
With his drive to do well for others rather high, Pelletier did community service project for Eagle Scouts last year, by partnering up with Saint Catherine’s Facility for Wayward Children. Pelletier decided to do an entire remodel of a room for a boy.

For his project, Pelletier went to Saint Catherine’s facility for wayward children and remodeled a room for a boy. With a theme of sports for the room, Pelletier included in the room like a carpet going four feet up the wall to simulate grass of a football field, a PVC pipe field goal around the window decorated with sports memorabilia from local colleges and a photo signed from a New York Yankees hall of famer.

“In my daily routine, if I can make someone’s day a little bit better, I go out of my way to make sure I can because you’ll never know what it’ll do for them.”

Pelletier received a letter from president Obama when he achieved his rank, as well as being awarded with the presidential volunteer service award from him as well.

Although Pelletier has these awards and events to showcase his service, he doesn’t let it go to his head.
“To be frank, it’s not me that I want to be remembered, it’s my work to be remembered.”

Pelletier has many awards hanging in his office he takes pride in, but his favorite award is his Eagle Scout award, because he hopes that those who see it will look to him for leadership and advice.

While Pelletier has experience helping others off of campus, he uses these things as Vice President to make a difference on campus.

“I knew there was a lot of activities going on in the campus, and I wanted to make sure that I get involved to make the best out of my college experience, as well as everyone else’s,” he said.

With the change in catering on campus this year from Chartwells to Mazzone, Pelletier spoke with representatives from Mazzone to make sure the students this year received something similar to last year’s students. Pelletier worked out with Mazzone to give the students 20 cheese pizzas, eight topping pizzas, and infused water, as opposed to just plain water.

Pelletier, as well as the other members of the Student Senate were involved with the welcome week on campus at the beginning of the semester. All the activities, the food and music that was available was because of the Student Senate.

When it comes to making a difference and enjoying college, Pelletier urges students to find clubs or activities to join to make their experience as meaningful as his.

“I implore you to get involved in clubs and just groups in general.”