UPDATED: Salute to Framingham Honorees Announced

Originally posted at 4:20 p.m. The breaking news alert was sent out by mistake.

The following is a release from the Salute to Framingham:

In 1992, the Salute to Framingham was created to honor individuals for their outstanding commitment and service to Framingham’s youth. These honorees join a select group of people who have made a real difference in the lives of the youth of Framingham.

On Thursday, March 27, the Salute to Framingham will honor Dennis Giombetti and Christine Tibor.

Dennis Giombetti is currently the Chair of the Framingham Board of Selectmen.

A Framingham native, Giombetti has been a long time supporter of programs and initiatives tailored to Framingham Youth. He helped establish a partnership with the Boys and Girls Club, helped drive funding for important youth programs through Parks and Recreation, was on the Bowditch Field Grand Opening Committee, served on the FHS Resiliency for Life board, the Drug and Alcohol Abuse Task Force, and on various community educational boards.

Most recently, Giombetti spearheaded the drive to create a Children’s Grove at Cushing Memorial Park (which will become a reality in the next year). 

Over the years, he has served on state boards, as well as in the Office for Children and Deptartment of Social Services, working tirelessly to improve youth development.

In addition, he has also been actively involved with several MetroWest Regional organizations including the Finance Committee and Community Block Grant Committee, was the Former Chairman of the MetroWest Regional Transportation Authority Advisory Board, the Former Chairman of the 495 MetroWest Partnership, the Former Chairman of the Cable Advisory Committee and was a Community Block Grant Committee member. 

Christine Tibor is the Director at Framingham Adult ESL Plus. A Framingham native and Framingham South graduate, and a former Dunning teacher, she was the driving force in growing a single adult education class in 1984 to the current Framingham Adult ESL Plus program.

Framingham Adult ESL Plus serves over 700 students in 36 classes, including AM and PM ESL, GED and Citizenship preparation classes, with a waiting list of over 400 students. 

She believes that Adult ESL is the critical link to help immigrant parents help their children. 

Families benefit when parents become proficient in English, enabling them to participate in their children's education and social lives, and the family benefits when children are not required to act as interpreters for their parents, thereby preserving the family structure and parental roles.

Tibor exhibits courageous, inclusive leadership. Her compassion and foresight have made Framingham Adult ESL one of the most respected adult education programs in the state. 

As a leader, she guides her program with a keen intellect and a sharp eye for upcoming change.
 
As an administrator, she cares deeply for her staff, doing all that she can to help in any way possible. As an educator, she is always available: despite having over 700 students, and a staff of teachers and counselors, her door is always open to each and every student who needs to talk. Her ability to steer this program and its students towards success draw on her professional experience, and on lessons learned from her father, Edward Convery, who was also a brilliant leader and compassionate educator here in Framingham.

In addition to these honorees, the Salute also recognizes Framingham teachers and staff who make each day “special” in our public schools. We also acknowledge graduating FHS students, who positively impact the school community.

Complete details and ticket information are available at www.salute-to-framingham.com. Visit the Salute to Framingham Facebook page too.

All proceeds from the Salute to Framingham benefit the Framingham High School Foundation which supports the extracurricular Activities, Arts, and Athletics at 
Framingham High School.