University of Massachusets Athletics
UMass Community Salute
Congratulations to all of our 2020-2021 UMass Community Salute recipients! Thanks to the Massachusetts Lottery, we were able to recognize five extremely deserving members of the UMass community throughout the course of the UMass Hockey season.The Massachusetts State Lottery is proud to present the UMass Community Salute program. In Fiscal Year 2021, the Lottery returned $1.1 billion in net profit to the Commonwealth to support all 351 cities and towns. Examples of how these funds are utilized include public safety staffing and equipment, snow removal, local road improvements, programs for seniors, and parks and recreation projects and services.
Here’s a closer look at our 2020-2021 recipients and the contributions they’ve made to our community:
Lauren Prenaveau
February 5, 2021
At age 16, Lauren Prenaveau created "Sweet 16 Ice Cream" where she gains permits across Eastern Massachusetts working private events, local sports games, graduation parties, donation deliveries to local police and fire stations and she's participated in charity events for the Jimmy Fund Walk, local temples and JDRF.
To learn more about Lauren and Sweet 16 Ice Cream, message her on Facebook or Instagram at Sweet 16 Ice Cream or email sweetsixteenice@gmail.com to book an event. Driving Miles, Delivering Smiles.
Tracye Whitfield
February 23, 2021
Springfield, MA native who became Springfield City Council Woman at Large in 2018. Councilor Whitfield was sworn in as the first Black Female Vice President of the Springfield City Council. Tracye is passionate about improving safety, economics and the wellbeing of all individuals by working “In the Community, For the Community”. She is creating a racial and civil community advisory board and has organized a Black Lives Matter Mural event in downtown Springfield. She is co-chair of the Mason Square C-3 Initiative, where residents, local organizations and police officials work closely together to improve the community’s quality of life.
Alannah Scardino
March 2, 2021
Nominated for her selfless efforts on the Amherst Fire Dept. Student Force where she serves the elite rank of Deputy Chief, and for breaking barriers for Women in Sports by being the first ever female to earn a varsity letter playing football in the Rochester City School District and she was the brain behind the first ever Women In Sports Night hosted in her hometown of Rochester, New York. She is truly the epitome of selflessness and embodies the qualities of a true leader!
Brock Hoffey
March 5, 2021
A senior at Saint John’s High School in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Just before the onset of the pandemic, Brock noticed a local inner city lacrosse team was not safely equipped and didn’t necessarily look the part, so he took matters into his own hands by starting a GoFundMe, engaged local contacts and received a grant from US Lacrosse. In all, his $7,000 gift went towards new helmets and gloves for the entire Worcester based team!
Paul Wisnewski
March 12, 2021
Leading a group who’s working to promote the town of Palmer as a stop on the forthcoming Boston-Springfield commuter line. Working feverishly to raise the posture of Palmer as the town of 7 railroads and help improve modes of transportation for UMass students, staff, and local community members looking for an easier way to travel East.
In March 2020, Paul refocused his efforts on raising funds to help local based charities. He personally visited numerous businesses and raised thousands of dollars that were donated to the Palmer Food Bank, Palmer Historical and Cultural Center and the Palmer Library.