5-19-2024 4:48am

"Be Awesome Award" Presented to Young Leader Ana Muzopappa

Lesley Misko Editor

by Jane Stahl

Congratulations are due to up-and-coming community leader, Anastasia Muzopappa! Ana was awarded a “Be Awesome Award” recently for taking pride in her school—Boyertown Area Middle School West—in helping others and demonstrating leadership qualities. Her performance of positive behaviors earned her complimentary tickets to Philadelphia’s Franklin Museum.

Ana’s leadership had already extended into the community when she approached St. John’s Lutheran Church Pastor Bob Machamer to fund registration fees for 120 of West Middle School’s participants in the Road Warriors running program.

St. John's Lutheran Church pastor Bob Machamer facilitates a donation request by Ana Muzopappa to fund The Road Warriors winter race series.

Road Warriors commit to a six-week training schedule to prepare for participation in the Pagoda’s “Shiver by the River” race series. “Shiver by the River” is a popular winter race series that draws approximately 400 runners per month because of its friendliness, great price, devotion to running in almost any type of weather. The sixth-grade Road Warrior students run twice a week to prepare for a 5K race that is held each December, January, February, and March.

Over 100 sixth-grade Road Warrior students run twice a week to prepare for a 5K race held in March.

Recognizing a need for funding, Ana met with Pastor Bob for support from St. John’s Lutheran Church.

“I was hooked,” Pastor Bob confesses. “Ana was impressive from the ‘get-go.’ She made the appointment with me, described the program, presented a proposal for funding, and the purpose behind her ‘ask’.

“With great enthusiasm, she talked about healthy play in the outdoors, the camaraderie among over 100 participants in the group plus staff. Convincing and committed, she just nailed it. I was so impressed with her confidence, curiosity, and trustworthiness that her physical education teacher Mrs. Gregory confirmed.”

The Road Warriors gather for a group photo.

Ana’s leadership includes her volunteer work at the State Theatre and as teacher for the Little Dragons at Ellixson’s Tae Kwon Do Academy.

Shannon Shaw, manager of the State Theatre notes, "Ana is amazing! She is
a small but fierce force, and Boyertown is fortunate to have someone so young and dedicated. She fearlessly steps up to volunteer and make a difference. Ana embodies the spirit of passion and dedication, proving that age is no barrier to making a positive impact. Boyertown is truly blessed to have her as a shining example of community involvement."

Donnie Ellixson, Jr., concurs, adding, “Ana is a dynamo—a force of nature—just like her mother! I have enjoyed the great pleasure of teaching Ana in martial arts these last few years, but it's even more than that. I've become close with her and her family personally as well as worked many projects and events with them in the community.

“Besides watching her dedicate herself to endless hours of training in martial arts, I have seen her apply her amazing passion, spirit and drive to many community volunteer projects. Her smile is infectious, her work ethic admirable and her ability to promote the positive in any situation is awesome."

Ana recently earned another belt--a deputy black belt--and was the high scorer in the kids division.