DURING his second inaugural address in 2011, [Massachusetts] Governor Patrick introduced Project 351 — an effort by a nonprofit group to recruit an eighth-grade student from each of the Commonwealth’s 351 cities and towns to serve as an “ambassador” for good works.

It was an inspired choice to focus on students in their early teens who are normally at the apex of adolescent insecurity and self-absorption. Eigh­th-graders, it turns out, also have a great capacity for kindness and humility. …

Today, hundreds of current and former ambassadors are gathering with the governor at Gillette Stadium to renew their commitment to community service, draw streng­th from each other, and strategise on ways to recruit more peers. They deserve the cheers of their many fans.

Eighth graders are said to spend a lot of time in front of the mirror. The Project 351 ambassadors should like what they see.— (May 17)

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2014