The Medway School Committee is pleased to announce the 2021 Memorial Plaque Honorees. 

The honorees were recognized during a ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 21. 

The Memorial Plaque was placed in Burke-Memorial when it was built in 1997 to honor individuals who have given unselfishly and made a significant or memorable contribution to the town and/or school community. Through service, volunteerism or dedication, the honorees make Medway Schools or Town of Medway life better for those who follow. Nominations are submitted each spring and are voted on by the Medway School Committee each summer.

“Our honorees this year have shown significant dedication to Medway’s families and children through many collective years of service to the community,” Burke-Memorial Principal John Kelley said. “We are grateful for their generous and selfless work and are pleased to honor them with this recognition.”

Paul Galante 

Galante has served as director of the Medway Food Pantry at Mahan Circle for over three years, expanding coverage of the pantry to serve over 200 local families. During the pandemic, up to 900 people were able to get food and household essentials through outside pickup and delivery. He has worked with several local businesses and organizations to supply the pantry, and was able to increase supply to meet the needs of the community during the pandemic. He has also recruited close to 20 people to assist in his effort to help those in need. 

He is also a member of the Medway Lions Club, assisting with the Christmas tree drive and the monthly bottle drive, both of which generate funds to be used around the community. He was also able to recruit drivers to pick up food during the Medway Bags Hunger drive. The bag drive expanded from 4,300 pounds of food two years ago to nearly 7,000 pounds of food this year. 

Galante is a U.S. Navy veteran, serving from 1964-1968 during the Vietnam War on the USS Sandoval. 

Penny Kelley

Kelley is recognized for her contribution to Medway Youth Soccer. She has served the organization for 25 years, currently as the league registrar and volunteer board member.

Kelley has had a positive impact on Medway’s Youth Community by being a central point of contact for uniforms, registration, fields, guidance and sponsorships. She has also coordinated Medway soccer tournaments including the Medway Cup and Medway 3v3 Jamboree.

Karen Regan 

Regan has been a senior volunteer in the Memorial Elementary Art Studio for 10 years. In this role she dedicates time each week assisting students with art projects, preparing materials, organizing supplies and assisting the art teacher as necessary to prepare for classes. 

Regan has dedicated many hours outside of her schedule each year to assist with the fourth grade legacy tile project, preparing the tiles for firing and hanging and repairing glaze issues for students. During the pandemic, Regan assisted the art teacher at her home during the summer repairing the tiles outside with proper distancing and masks. She has also assisted during school vacations helping to organize and prepare materials for students, as well as helping choose, prepare and hang artwork for the arts festival. Her dedication is described as extraordinary and is very much appreciated by teachers and students.